WALK WITH ME

WALK WITH ME ~

Well, first though we must take a drive.  It is a perfect Sunday, we'll drive about a half hour north and west of Baltimore, through rolling Maryland countryside.  Farm country, hundred plus acre working farms, pristine and lush with new crop growth, miles of white washed fencing, bright barns and homes worthy of magazine covers.   

Ten miles of our drive takes us through the Loch Raven Reservoir and several times over the Big Gunpowder Falls River ~ this is a journey today as beautiful as we expect our destination to be.  It was disappointing not to be able to photograph along here, every possible spot to pause was already taken by another ~

LADEW GARDENS. Originally a 200-plus acre farm, with a farmhouse built in the late 1700s it was purchased by Harvey Ladew around 1920.  He had been drawn to this area by his love of fox hunting.  The home and the acreage were then extensively renovated and updated to include antiques and art from his worldwide travels.  He simultaneously worked on the estate grounds, creating 22-acres of formal gardens.  The gardens feature 100 life-size topiary, including a "fox hunt" and fifteen themed gardens.  The prestigious Garden Club of America later awarded Mr. Ladew its Distinguished Service Medal for his "great interest in developing and maintaining the most outstanding topiary in America, without professional help."  Ladew Gardens was established as a public garden in 1971 and is today a non profit organization in support of education and scientific endeavors.  

Some themed gardens were not in bloom or active when I visited as they are seasonal in nature ~ The Butterfly House will be active mid summer.  The Rose Garden also blooms in mid summer, and the Water Lily Garden had not yet come to life ~ yet there was enough to fill my senses for this beautiful afternoon, and I hope you will enjoy the images below.  Walk with me ~ through Ladew Gardens.