All photos by Moxie Gardiner
The front of the house was very pretty, the flower border a vivid mix of colors and textures. I was admiring the understated, whimsical touches that added visual interest, while I waited for my sister who went ahead to scope out the back yard. She reappeared, motioning excitedly. “Come on,” she said, “the yard is going to blow you away.”
She was right. I walked down a shaded alleyway, chock-a-block with hostas, ferns, and other shade-loving plants, that opened onto a winding path through something akin to a magic forest. I was immediately reminded of one of my favorite books as a child—A Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Each twist in the path revealed a new surprise: a Koi pond here, miniature shrubs there, and a kaleidoscopic mix of flowers tucked in everywhere.
My sister and I were embarked on our annual sojourn through the stunning gardens of Western New York. Last year I wrote about Buffalo’s internationally known Garden Walk, a free tour of some 400 homes in the densely-packed neighborhoods of the older part of the city, and the awe I felt as a fellow horticulturalist and former Buffalonian, seeing how these marvelous bits of heaven had transformed once-blighted areas.
This year, however, we decided to explore gardens in the greater Buffalo-Niagara region, focusing on small towns like Clarence, Eden, Hamburg, and Lake View. Every Thursday and Friday throughout the month of July, some 100 additional homeowners outside the city open their properties to visitors.
These tours, while just as rewarding as Buffalo’s Garden Walk, had a very different vibe. The properties were much larger on the whole, and the landscapes more extensive. In some gardens, we were the only visitors. We had room to maneuver and the owners had time to stroll with us and answer our questions.
Gardening on a large property requires a whole different skill set. On a small property, it is possible to (somewhat affordably) pack in a lot of colorful annuals amongst the perennials for a big splash of wall-to-wall color. In these larger plots, the growers must figure out how fill up the space without spending a fortune. Some chose to have a unifying theme or a central feature like a pond to build around, while others create a series of mini-gardens, each with their own individual identity. I was consistently impressed with the artistry, creativity, and uniqueness of each garden I visited (as well as the homeowner’s ability to somehow keep out the deer and rabbits).
What all the gardens had in common, however, was the warm and hospitable welcome we received from the people who owned them. They were only too happy to answer our questions and offer suggestions. Many provided bottled water and other nourishment for visitors on these free tours, which made me wonder, what makes gardeners some of the most generous, openhearted people on the planet?
I recently read an article entitled, Do You Have the Personality Traits of a Gardener?[1] It listed as desirable attributes: appreciation of nature, patience, drive, creativity, curiosity, hope, expectation, and kindness. Throughout my tours of these private spaces and visits with those who tended them, I found all of these qualities in evidence. But I believe the article missed the most important trait—humility.
All gardeners quickly learn that no matter how many tips and tricks you learn, or how much money you spend, you will always encounter failures, and at times, disastrous ones. Mother Nature is an independent woman who refuses to be controlled, so we have to learn to work with the good and the bad she has to offer. We learn and adapt, and adapt again.
We have all been humbled at one time or another, and so when we, hand-in-hand with Mother Nature, achieve a measure of success, we want to celebrate, and if we are lucky, inspire the next generation of openhearted gardeners who will experience the joys and sorrows of a beautiful garden, and share it with others.
Are you a gardener? Do you have a favorite garden that inspires you, or better yet, brings you joy or peace? Please share your stories in the comments below!
[1] To find out if you’ve got what it takes to be a gardener, see https://theheartygarden.com/gardening-personality-traits/.
For more information on the gardens and to plan your trip for next year, check out
https://www.gardensbuffaloniagara.com/open-gardens-buffalo
I don’t have gardening genes. There are a few weeks every year when it is warm enough to work outdoors, but not stiflingly hot – these are the weeks that I secretly think, What would I like to plant? I moved into a small home in CHQ last year, and ripped out four 40 y/o beds with overgrown pachysandra. This year, Corie Fisher helped me to pick out a few things, and get them into the ground (coral bells and 1 rhodie); she also helped me to split some Day Lilies, and move them to another spot. I picked out a few more perennials, and got them into the ground. It’s clear I could invest thousands of dollars in this…at which point Eileen Klee Sweeney told me, Mary Ellen, this is why you have friends with plants: you can SWAP them!
As for Mother Nature: it is generally abysmally wet here. Beginning the week after I first put perennials into the ground, we have had drought conditions for 2+ months. I am watering with a gallon watering can…well, no one said it would be easy, but there is tremendous satisfaction and gratitude that emanate from meager efforts.
Today, I was in Elmwood Village, and saw quite a few people walking by, maps clutched, on the Garden Tour. I had to ask, What’s this? (Because you can readily see what people have in their front yards.) And learned that the gardeners are opening their properties to people…I am sure there would be inspiration here, and kind people to get me started – but I also need to talk to gardeners with deer-resistant plantings for CHQ.
All of which is to say: Moxie, you’ve inspired me. I’m going to seek out local gardeners next year. I’ll do some research over the winter, and some dreaming…
Last: the Secret Garden was one of my favorite books (3rd or 4th grade?) growing up. I haven’t read it in 50+ years, but it might be time to revisit.
Mary Ellen, city gardeners won’t be much help with warding off those deer! For all the tours next summer, check out GardensBuffaloNiagara.com. Between Garden Walk buffalo, Open Gardens on Thursdays and Fridays in July, the Est Side Garden Walk and the other 16-18 regional garden tours, there are nearly 1,000 gardens to visit! We’ll keep you busy…