My heart is beating fast just thinking back to my four hours at Chanticleer in September. The history of the garden is interesting because without philanthropic foundations like Chanticleer’s, we wouldn’t have the opportunity to visit such awe inspiring gardens. This historical information is taken from their website.
The Chanticleer estate dates from the early 20th-century, when land along the Main Line of the Pennsylvania Railroad was developed for summer homes to escape the heat of Philadelphia. Adolph Rosengarten, Sr., and his wife Christine built their country retreat in 1913, remodeling and expanding to make it a permanent residence in 1924. In 1990 following the death of Adolph Jr., the entire Chanticleer estate was set up as a foundation for the education and enjoyment of the public.
Thirty five acres are open for exploration.
Map of Chanticleer Garden
The teacup garden, named for this fountain is reinvented every year. This year’s design was taken from historic Persian gardens with silver and variegated plants. See Starla on the left in focus!I am not sure the name of this garden but loved the yellow foliage and the large leaves of the banana below. Asparagus for days!A truly inspiring asparagus border located next to the vegetable garden.The ruin garden, notice the firestick plant in front, flanked by cactus, agave and euphorbia and an espaliered magnolia holding up the wall(so to speak).The dry garden reminiscent of a Mediterranean garden and also looking very Texan. This garden of agaves and Yucca rostrata with many self -sowers, like Mexican feather grass, echinacea, poppies and asters; faces the same challenges we have at Raincatcher’s. Edit, edit for beauty.
The Serpentine beds-an inventive way to celebrate agriculture. Sweet potatoes are planted in these large swaths and were recently harvested.Yes, sweet potatoes can be beautiful.
The great lawn below the main house, part of Minder woods, is planted with blue, purple and orange flowers. Cosmos, Zinnia ‘Queen Lime Orange’ and asters, Russian Sage and blue salviasalong with lusty dahlias.My favorite pot with an other-worldly bromeliad, brownish-green Hoffmannia roezlii, caladiumsand purple at its feet. I couldn’t name all the plants but plan to have this in my garden someday.
Ann Lamb, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2005
DALLAS GARDEN BUZZ 