An early spring visit to Chanticleer

Douglas Hunt
by Douglas Hunt
Although it has existed as a public garden for only 20years, Chanticleer is a place revered by people who are passionate aboutplants. So when I was within striking distance (the garden is roughlyequidistant from Philadelphia and Wilmington, DE), I was happy to make adetour, even though Chanticleer had opened for the season—after one of theworst winters anyone remembers—only five days before. Even with almost nothing yet in bloom (or even unfurled), itwas a feast for the eyes.
The teacup garden.
They know how to do containers here: Festuca glauca, poppies and stems from yellow-twigged dogwood (I think).
I love the sedum running along the top of this wall leading to the tennis court garden.
Maybe every lawn needs purple chairs.
Arches made from driftwood and rebar punctuate what will be, in due time, an almost impossibly lush cutting garden.
The local fire department does a controlled burn of the prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis) every year to mimic what would happen in its native environment.
Chartreuse heuchera with the new foliage of ligularia. (At least I think that is ligularia. They don't label things at Chanticleer because they think the labels detract visually. There are plant lists with photos in charming little boxes.)
The pond garden.
Witch-hazel. still in bloom in April.
Every bridge is different, each a piece of garden art.
From the other side, this sculptural tunnel resembles an overturned beech tree.
More container mastery.
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  • Bernice H Bernice H on Apr 20, 2014
    Hello @Douglas Hunt and @Barb Rosen , its been a long time since I have been on here, at least it seems so. Doug I love this garden. The first picture , tho not all bloomed out, is so full of potential. How exciting it will be to see it when it has all come on. Do you remember the garden @Miriam I posted...2? years back..absolutely fantastic. We have nothing like that here in Yakima..altho, we are on the 25 best cities to live list! Go figure! If you are a wine drinker then this is the place, otherwise..no lovely gardens to wander through. Thanks for sharing this one.
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    • Barb Rosen Barb Rosen on Apr 20, 2014
      @Bernice H ~ a large pot will do the trick! Bless you for taking care of your own. We spent four years doing that and are glad we did. Be well, and enjoy others' gardening for now. This too shall pass.
  • Douglas Hunt Douglas Hunt on Apr 21, 2014
    Yes, so good to see you back, Bernice. Elephant ears do great as the "thriller" part of a big pot. I would say that cannas do, too, but don't want to encourage another nursery visit. To everything a season, and your garden will be ready for your return when your important work is done.
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