Bloggers Fling: The Gentling Gardens

    BY SKEETER

We are now starting Day 2 of the Garden Bloggers Spring Fling! We headed up the mountainside on a narrow road. I am glad I was not an oncoming car going against 2 big yellow buses! Our Destination: Blue Briar Cottage founded in 1906.  Click HERE to read more about this interesting place. Also, be sure to click on the photo gallery for pictures of the cottage. I failed to snap any.  

Peter and Jasmin Gentling have called this wonderful place home for the past 40 years. They have created the most beautiful gardens on a hillside that had the Saint and I in total Awe. 

We were greeted by a structure surrounded by Woods, Stone and lush shades of green. 

A Potting Shed, a Greenhouse or Spring house? No, the Art Studio of Peter Gentling.

 Pathways of many types lead one to the surrounding gardens. Here you see gravel.

Here you see stone steps with earth beneath.

Here you see stacked stone steps.

And here you see a grass pathway. This was once the main drive to the house via horse and carriage. Teddy Roosevelt visited his son here as he called this place home at one time. 

 This is the view to the left from the front porch.

 Two bus loads of bloggers were strolling the land and not many in view of the camera. Yes, this is a very large garden.

Weeping Atlas Cedar made for a gate down towards the water pond. I never made it to the pond as I was side tracked and forgot to return later on. Duh...

 The water has been diverted via PVC Piping and a Bucket from a natural spring. Making the creek from the top of the hill to the bottom and into the land and river below.

 I think this looks so natural as if not planted by hands.

 Tall, to medium, to short, to ground cover type beauties.

 What is this? Variegated Ginkgo! Never before heard of, much less seen by my eyes until now!

As a child, we had a huge Ginkgo tree in our front yard so I am familiar with Ginkgo's but not of a variegated type. Click HERE to read about that old tree I loved... I research this a bit and found many different types of Variegated Ginkgo Trees! Ha, learn something new every day!

 Stunning spots had me stopping in my tracks throughout this garden.

 I really liked the toadstool type item in the center of this area. Recycled materials maybe?

 Lush green grass, a stone wall and dappled color on the hillside.

 It was so breathtaking to gaze downward at the beauty.

 Big Purple Globes (Allium) stole the show in this spot!

 The stone work had me stopping often.

 Jasmin told us that most of these walls were forgotten as they were taken over by brush in the past. Can you imagine how surprised they were to discover them when cleaning up the land after years of neglect?

 Stone walls terrace the land to the point that walking around was not a hassle to me. Never once did I become short of breath while strolling these gardens. Well, I lost my breath a few times by being captivated by the beauty. Look beyond the wall in this shot above. The sun seems to be casting a beam on the background view. 

This garden is a true gardeners delight.

Works of Art could be found through out the gardens.

The Resident Kitty was not sure what to think of so many people in her gardens. 

One can only imagine how much dirt these tools have seen over the years.

The Saint was taking it all in. He and I made a big observation within this garden. Have you notice anything different from the pictures I have shared with you today? A most beautiful garden but with little Red, Purple, Orange, Yellow, White or any color of blooms. Most of this garden is built on texture and height of mostly green plants! The Saint and I have decided we need to add more green and texture to our gardens!

 Bloggers visiting while sitting on the front steps of the house.

I had the honor of enjoying these bloggers company during lunch while sitting on the front porch. Rose of Prairie Rose's Garden, . Lisa of Greenbow, Chick-er-Doodles and Mom of The Garden Junkie and our very own Tina from here at In the Garden. Original Heart of Pine wooden floors beneath our feet. We enjoyed chatting with the most humerus Jasmin. She told of two bear cubs sitting and rocking in these very chairs! Of course The Saint and I were looking for the critters but with close to 90 people wandering around, I am sure they were keeping their distance. We missed the upper level of this beautiful place but maybe we can return again some day. (Click HERE for more from Explore Asheville about this secret garden). 

As we loaded the buses for departure, Peter and Jasmin escorted us up the hill back to the street. As the buses pulled away, Jasmin was waving goodbye as if sending her children off to School! We enjoyed our time with THE GENTLINGS, In the Garden...

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden