The Sweetie and I were on Long Island last weekend to attend a family celebration and we took the opportunity to visit Old Westbury Gardens.
The garden website indicated that we could expect asters in bloom and not much else, so it was with great surprise that we discovered a variety of charming posies as we strolled through this charming garden on a warm, early fall day.
The borders reminded me of English gardens–informal and sometimes daring in the variety of colors–with lots of purples and pinks that are personal favorites.
The bees were a-buzzin’ everywhere, some of them so laden with pollen that they could hardly move.
I didn’t realize that there was a frog poised on the water lilies until I saw the photo downloading onto the computer–kind of like the surprise you’re in for when watching an image come up when you are making a black-and-white print from a negative. Hi Froggy!
Then, on the way out, we saw these gorgeous purple berries. What kind of shrub is this? I want one.
Hi Lorna,
Nice pics!
The shrub is a beautyberry (callicarpa). There are a number of species and cultivars available, all fairly easy to grow although not very drought tolerant. I’ve never seen one grown in a pot, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be done.
By: leslie land on October 11, 2010
at 11:17 +00:00Oct
Thank you for your kind comments about Old Westbury Gardens. Next season with the help of Flickr we’ll try to get the word out “live” as to what is in bloom. You’re right there is so much more than asters and mums…the strange weather this season has varied the blooming cycles..I even saw an iris in bloom last week.
Hope you visit again
Paul Hunchak, Director, Visitor Services Public Programs
By: Paul Hunchak on October 17, 2010
at 11:17 +00:00Oct
How lovely of you to take the time to write. I look forward to a return visit. The scale of the house and garden are just perfect!
By: lornasass on October 17, 2010
at 11:17 +00:00Oct
It’s a very pretty shrub and I’ve recently discovered that the berries can be used to make jam.
http://www.ci.orlando.fl.us/planning/nature/shrubs_beauty.htm
By: Mira Dessy on October 3, 2011
at 11:17 +00:00Oct
Oh, what fun. Beautiful and edible too!
By: lornasass on October 3, 2011
at 11:17 +00:00Oct