The Parterre Bench and the Orangerie are the two most important non-floral entities in the garden. But at times I realize the Orangerie can be more of an unsung hero, appearing in many images but seldom receiving a “shout out.” I shall right that perception with this blog. The Orangerie is both the centerpiece of the garden as well as having a special place in my heart, for she was a surprise Christmas gift from my husband many years ago when we had just broken ground for this house. And each year she has grown more and more integral to the overall character of our three acres. The images speak for themselves, all times of day and every season.

Our Orangerie, sited in the southern-half of the property, wears many hats- most of them garden-related. In the spring she is headquarters for all the activities included in the ritual of “opening the garden for the season.” A glass-paneled roof that may be manually opened facilitates her ability to serve as an informal green house.

Summer finds her party central for visiting garden aficionados and any and all number of houseguests.

Come winter, she provides shelter for the Parterre Bench and a selection of plants that happily over-winter within her stucco walls (ie. the pair of mother ferns from the Green and White Garden).

The Orangerie is nestled close to the woodland on the southern edge of our property, where a plant palette of shade-loving selections reside in the Green and White garden

while the north facing vista, with a long view of the pergola, is all about the sun.

One of my favorite images…those north-facing doors dressed with a pair of ‘Piilu’ clematis.

Capturing a dream of mine, the Orangerie’s east facing side

and west facing side are draped in roses.

In closing, I couldn’t help but include this beguiling image taken from the second floor window of the garden apartment. Twenty four years ago my husband and I could not have imagined just how much his gift would add to the Parterre landscape.