Planted Serenity

“Gardening is the art that uses flowers and plants as paint and soil and sky as canvas.” ~ Elizabeth Murray

I tend to seek out anyone who also enjoys talking the language of flowers. Ladew Topiary Gardens in Monkton, Maryland held their annual Garden Festival a week ago. I couldn’t have found a better way to transplant myself among seasoned gardeners than to help out with this event. It was so very enjoyable! People wait in anticipation all year long to browse and shop at 40 vendor booths of flowers, shrubs and garden accoutrements which compliment what is already a gorgeous natural landscape with historic structures. Too many booths to list individually, pottery by HeartsDesire.net, floral fashions, stitched linens and tableware, sculpture, soaps, all with botanical themes were just a few specialty gift type items this author enjoyed browsing.

What vision Henry S. Ladew had for the agricultural property which began with “just a few lilacs.”  Mr. Ladew was an interesting character who brought movie stars, politicians and other world renown individuals to visit his home where he worked for most of his life to leave a legacy. The grounds, so serenely peaceful, will be enjoyed by the public in perpetuity since the property is now organized as a non-profit  – 501(3)(C).

The Board of Directors is deeply dedicated to preserving Mr. Ladew’s “vision and creative spirit through educational, scientific and cultural pursuits. ” Top priority is given to picking, planting and pruning just the right plants which honors Mr. Ladew’s vision and tradition.

2019 Artists in Residence, Michael and Joanne Bare document the historic buildings and gardens in their landscape paintings. Splendid backgrounds provide inspiration for plein air painting at any time of year not just during the height of the flowering season. The 250 acre property is uniquely designed with 22 acres of thematic outdoor garden “rooms. ”

Enjoy these pictures taken the day of the garden fest. Rightly so, Ladew Topiary Gardens has been called “one of the top five gardens in North America” and is on the Register of National Historic Places.

Ladew Gardens is located right in the heart of beautiful

fox hunting countryside where  northern Baltimore County and Harford County meet.

The place where  the blessing of the hounds is an annual tradition in Maryland.