Many years ago (while my husband and I were just dating) we enjoyed visiting a very inspiring topiary garden that is home to eighty unique topiaries.
This whimsical garden was so inspiring to us that we decided to travel back here with our children to share with them these gardens that were established in 1872.
It is incredible while walking the garden to know that some of these same plants have been growing for over one hundred years. You can feel the history in this place and the adventure while walking through the winding garden paths and happening upon giant topiary animals reminding us of the story of "The Garden of Abdul Gasazi" by Chris Van Allsburg.
The trees on this seven acre estate are very old and very strong. Branches wind up high and then dip back down low. The roots are planted firmly in the soil below creating an incredible invitation to play among their branches.
We stopped along the way to view the garden from a birds-eye perspective. While the trees cradled us we wished that they could speak to tell us a story from so many years ago!
The three children lead the way through winding paths drenched in color and filled with intoxicating scents of heirloom plants that still stand tall today. We wonder just what will greet us along these paths next?
We happen upon a horse and rider that points the way to an old grape arbor. We take joy in walking this path alongside these new friends. Closing our eyes the sun warms our faces and the powerful scent of sweet red grapes fills the air.
The children take notice of an elephant, wide eyed with wonder and awe. We back up just a bit under the grape arbor giving him just enough room to enjoy a meal of fresh flowers that grow all around him.
After such a close encounter with this wild elephant we continue walking through the flowery path. among the flowers we find a pond filled with darting Koi. Soon we find ourselves weaving through a maze of bamboo. The children run and play hide-and-go-seek, enjoying this day of magic!
We ramble alongside a patch of antique damask roses that scent the air with a rich perfume that find us lingering just a bit longer...
Excitedly my eldest son finds the most beautiful and colorful Dahlias while large animals watch over us in the distance!
"Hello there friends" they call out to us! "We wish you a happy day in our garden!"
"Thank you for visiting with us, now come follow us right along this path and we will play!"
We followed these playful animals and played alongside them too until our feet brought us into another garden room where colorful butterflies led us from flower to flower.
"Well hello!" We hear as we stumble upon the vegetable patch! "Let us show you around!" So we walked amidst giant rainbow swiss chard and sweet yellow pear tomaotoes...
There she was, the same wild hare we had spotted earlier in our day. She followed us here to tell us a very exciting message! With a twitch of her nose and a wiggle of her white cotton tail she said "Come, follow me past the rust-colored sunflowers and the windmill"...
"Come along, follow me through the lettuces, pumpkins and peas"...
"You will see a green archway in the distance. Walk under these arches and they will lead you to a wonderful place!"
"Here we are, you have found it! Now walk upon the grand veranda of this lovely home. Through the heavy doors you will find well-loved toys hidden in some of the rooms!"
A dainty set of miniature saucers and cups even tiny sets of silverware are set out before us. We stop for a moment to wonder if a mouse family that lives among this old home was told of our arrival!
Oh, if I could only find myself behind this glass for some time of play I would be ever so happy says the little girl!
We linger for just a wee bit more over this perfectly lovely kitchen, imagining ourselves slipping behind the glass and shrinking ourselves for just a short time to cook up a mouse-sized cake to go with our tea!
In the halls of this antiquarian home we find ourselves in a childs room.Beyond the sheers there is such a lovely view of animals marching about in the flowering gardens below!
With a curious eye we see that yet another tea party is taking place tucked away in this room!
We continue to walk along into the rest of this home. My mind wanders with each new hallway and set of stairs imagining who used to live here in these rooms!
With books set out and saucers and plates upon a small table in the beautiful living room, it was an amazing place to visit. Yet, back outdoors is where I felt the 'heart' of this home still alive and growing strong!
The hands, hearts, and minds who dreamed of these gardens and poured forth their work to trim each shrub and plant and care for each tree were most certainly appreciated as we ended our day up in the arms of a very old tree.
Thank you to the gardeners and dreamers who lived in this place so many years ago who have also shared their creative spirits with my family and many other families on this day!
.: May you experience magical adventures in your every day! :.
