A guest rant and photos by Janet Loughrey, whose book made me realize how distinctive my city is...if still a little short on backyard gardeners.
In her July 16 rant, Michele Owens finds little inspiration from the landscapes in her town of Saratoga Springs, New York. In comparing local gardens to those in Buffalo, she writes, "...we do have an aesthetic here, that aesthetic is all about the easy riot of color provided by the same four annuals and not about gardening as personal expression."
As the author of Saratoga in Bloom: 150 Years of Glorious Gardens, I have a petunia to pick with Michele. I mean, where else can you find a fire escape garden, old megaphones used as planters, and a fountain named "Spit and Spat? "
The "Spa City," founded for its mineral springs, is home to one of America's oldest public outdoor spaces. Congress Park was initially developed in 1823 and redesigned in 1876 by noted landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted. An Italian garden built in 1902 featured imported statuary, including a duo of tritons named Spit and Spat. Mineral springs within the park were embellished with pavilions and plantings. The Spirit of Life monument was designed in 1914 by Daniel Chester French and Henry Bacon, creators of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC. Floral fetes held during the 1890's were so well-attended that they fell victim to their own success. These early efforts became the foundation for the horticultural inspiration found in the Spa City today.
Saratoga's famous thoroughbred racetrack, which draws throngs of tourists in summer, is planted with thousands of annuals and plots of wildflowers. Features include planters made from megaphones once used as part of the public address system, and antique coach stepping stones decorated with Victorian urns.
In 1979, the city started a Flower Power program, creating public gardens that inspired residents to replicate the plantings in their own yards. Saratoga, with its grand mansions and quaint homes, is a walking town, with charming residential gardens along the side streets. Metal lawn jockeys, Victorian statuary and colorful annuals define Saratoga's own unique style of gardening. One of many floral displays by local merchants includes a collection of hanging baskets along a fire escape. The city won a national America in Bloom award in 2007 for its efforts.
Any city that embraces flowers as enthusiastically as Saratoga Springs deserves a pat on the back, rather than an admonishment. After all, isn't some kind of gardening better than none? Most communities are devoid of any organized landscaping efforts, save for a few nondescript street trees. If Michele is dissatisfied, perhaps she can spearhead a local movement towards the greater plant diversity she desires.
CONTEST FOR SARATOGA IN BLOOM: Jim and Meg Dalton's Saratoga-area garden is a collector's dream, filled with unusual plants. Pictured is a specimen from their garden. Guess the name correctly and win an autographed copy of Saratoga in Bloom. In the case of multiple winners, a drawing will be held
Janet Loughrey is a garden photographer and writer based in Portland, Oregon. A native of the Saratoga region, her book Saratoga in Bloom was published in June 2010. You can learn more about her work at www.loughreyphoto.com.
I'm going to have to get the book and plan a trip. Obviously there is more to Saratoga than Mrs. London's pastry shop.
Posted by: commonweeder | September 03, 2010 at 06:35 AM
Agreed on the point that some kind of gardening is better than nothing. Typical annuals are gateway plants to more adventurous gardening approaches.
Posted by: Susan in the Pink Hat | September 03, 2010 at 07:01 AM
Mrs. London's *sigh*
Also, if you visit Saratoga, be sure to go to Yaddo. Their gardens are open to the public.
Posted by: Katie | September 03, 2010 at 09:05 AM
I haven't a clue what the plant is, though it reminds me quite a bit of sevenbark hydrangea. Hmmm ...
Posted by: Laura Bell | September 03, 2010 at 12:54 PM
I think the plant is a deinanthe caerulea.
Must plan a visit to Saratoga now...
Posted by: Nora G | September 03, 2010 at 04:09 PM
Saratoga shows it's true sole after racing season. Still a vibrant but calming city.
Will be there in late September for a trade show at City Center
The TROLL
Posted by: greg draiss | September 04, 2010 at 05:15 AM
What a beautiful garden.
Posted by: basil | September 04, 2010 at 07:27 AM
I have to applaud the city of Saratoga Springs for their efforts. Even if they don't stray too far from the standard impatiens and begonias, what's important is that they do something and it works.
The city's garden tour is another story. While I'm sure that there are many fantastic private gardens in the city they sure haven't been on the garden tour (although I'll admit I was not able to make it this year). Too many 'me too' gardeners with landscapes installed a few months prior to the tour. The organizers should vet these a little better and tell those who want to get on it to wait at least a few years to let their garden grow in.
Perhaps Deinanthe bifida with the white flowers.
Posted by: Christian | September 04, 2010 at 08:12 AM
Could the mystery plant be Dienanthe?
Posted by: Judi Duclos | September 07, 2010 at 04:00 AM