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Magic Hats
One of the many oversights made by the folks who share their opinions with me is the contribution to the artistry of the garden’s design by Heronswood’s architect and co-founder, Robert Jones. Like a brass player with a woodwind instrument, an architect can discover new tricks when he plays on a garden. Indeed, Jones is in many ways just as interesting a garden designer as Hinkley. The uniqueness of the core garden—the rainforest recreation—can be found in the numerous violations of the conventional rules and traditions in its design. The layout is so weird, and the transgressions so remarkable, as well as writ so large (over 3 acres), that it passes by most people like a giant phantom. However, these transgressions make the place sparkle.
Also, Jones and Hinkley achieved a synergistic effect by combining their two diverse and mature skills of architecture and botany. One built, more or less, while the other filled. However, the magic of the so-called “Big Bang” is not only that it recreates a cloud forest—which it does very well—but also that the rolling and twisting paths create an almost vertiginous effect, if not taken slowly. There’s neither a proper entrance, nor an exit—just a couple of sudden exits, as if the whole layout was a hidden maze.
Another broken rule is the ultra-density of contrasting plants. After a while, the drama becomes predictable and a bit exhausting. It is so “over the top” that it requires strenuous exercise to appreciate the garden’s full measure. And this is just in the Big Bang, which is only half the landscaped spaces on the estate. The science-fiction juxtapositions aren’t limited, but spread to every nook and cranny. I often read public garden brochures which say, “A complete tour takes several hours.” At Heronswood, it takes several days.
Here at Fordhook Farm, we haven’t the same layout, nor the inclination to radically alter the way visitors look at plants. It’s almost the reverse. To make the most of our massive, sweeping forests around the many acres spread out below a cavernous sky, we pay no attention to rules, broken or followed. Our primarily horizontal landscape was designed in the mid 1700s by the produce farmers who headquartered their 775 acres there. Lines of sight, open spaces and cart tracks were defined by the rational and pragmatic goal of getting goods to market. As in England, one changes these layouts at great aesthetic peril. They look majestic and wondrous because they are so.
The situation is quite different in a compact, refined, tightly controlled and interactive botanical experience like Heronswood. Every turn of the head reveals a complex, ecstatic panorama, rather like a magic lantern or stereopticon. John Ruskin would have loved the Big Bang. Every size, shape, texture and form of leaf, flower and seedpod is “released” by one’s eyes. For botanists and horticulturists, it’s a knockout—a “peak experience”, as Maslow says. For others less used to being launched into “plant space”, it can be a bit much. We’re looking into the use of labels to soften the effect, while preserving the exotic force-field.
The design and construction of the paving tiles and masonry, which we attribute to Jones, is excellent throughout the many gardens, but especially in the Potager, where the circles and arcs are especially fine. However, the secret master at Heronswood is Allen Hanson, the expert irrigator as well as pruner of the many hedges and espailles, most notably the dead-true Buxus microphylla edging the vegetable beds, and the pair of intricate European hornbeam “rooms”, which is one of the garden’s iconic images. These peripheral gardens break no rules whatsoever. They are simply stunning. Although their setting and context may be odd, that makes them an even more pleasant relief from the overwrought intensity and drama of the “Big Bang”.
As many experts have told me, Heronswood is the most beautiful private garden in the world. This is why our offer for sale is on condition of its preservation, and has been since we moved the nursery in May of 2006. The garden hasn’t “closed”, nor is it “the last chance” to see it. As I have promised, we shall hold more “Open Days” in support of non-profits in the coming months.
Those of you on the east coast, enjoy the “new Heronswood”, located at Fordhook Farm. We have a brand new and improved nursery, as well as production and research gardens on 60 acres, and a gorgeous 18th century French style farmhouse, or “bastide”. Our next Heronswood Open is September 21 and 22, premiering Mike Dirr’s new virburnum book, which won’t be on sale until several weeks later.
Different place, different magic.