A Luscious ‘Limelight’ Hydrangea Border
I love to celebrate the plant highlights that mark the seasons at Parterre…like the ‘Crown Princess Margaretha’ rose chain which is the star of spring, ushering us into a welcome… Read More
Author: Bettie Bearden Pardee
Autumn In Paris
I can’t help myself, I’m so sentimental. I’ve been very fortunate to have visited Paris in almost every month of the year…and she never disappoints!! But somehow, when October pops around in… Read More
Re-Visiting Wonky and Witty Sakonnet Garden
A garden worthy of visiting twice in a summer, Sakonnet is testimony to the design truth that garden rooms increase the illusion of a property’s space. On not quite one… Read More
A New Library for a New Nymphaeum
Ron Fleming is a Renaissance man in the truest sense of the word–writer, city planner, preservationist, inveterate traveler, philanthropist and all ’round Bon Vivant. And gardener, which we enjoyed in… Read More
Enjoying the Gardens at Bellevue House
Up the street, exactly one mile door to door from our home, is an historic house renowned as one of only two homes in America both designed and decorated by… Read More
Autumn Clematis, Beauty by Another Name
I remember many years back describing with great affection my take on Autumn clematis (or clematis paniculata) “vivacious…embracing…enveloping…a bit free with her favors…and goes by the honeyed name, Sweet Autumn… Read More
Celebrating Parterre’s Woodland Garden
There’s nothing like completing a years-in-the-making-garden to give one a new lease on life! While each of Parterre’s existing gardens are tweaked each year, the Woodland Garden didn’t truly deserve… Read More
Capturing Summer Al Fresco
This is a quick blog, dashed off between one cheerful to do after another as summer slips into its next-to-last week. But I couldn’t resist sharing these brightly colored and… Read More
“A Newport Summer” Redux
Another Newport Summer is about to end in our seaside enclave, and the thought is pulling at my heartstrings. But fortunately I just remembered…two friends wrote a fabulous book in… Read More
A New Treat at the Elms!
In a busy (too busy!) summer to find a spot on the calendar, a moment of spontaneity carried the day. A Sunday morning text invitation tempted me to join friends… Read More