Autumn, Seasonal

Early Fall at Parterre

October 19, 2023 by Bettie Bearden Pardee
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Even if fall will probably be late (or very subtle) this year, there are still those signatures in the gardens that announce the season is changing. One is the pair of miniature gingko standards (‘Merikan’) in their Versailles boxes in the Fountain Garden (feature image). Over an approximately 7-10 days they subtly change to shades of brilliant, eye-catching yellow…until you wake one morning and all the leaves are on the ground.

The other “for sure fall is around the corner” note is the magnificent 114 ft. long ‘Limelight’ hydrangea hedge separating the Green and White Garden and the Fountain Garden. She blooms late in the season to charm us with her sassy bounty, her white pillow-y heads tossing in the fall winds as she peaks around the corner of the glassed in porch.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is IMG_8045-1024x768.jpg

This hedge also looks over the Green and White Garden, named that for many reasons but the striking note is that it stays so fresh and appealing late into the fall!

At the front door a simple fall statement of russet-orange mini chrysanthemums lines both sides of the limestone steps…set off by the pruned hornbeam “pillars”(have you spied Miss Clicquot peaking around the door?).

The rams head stone containers that grace the entrance to the front courtyard show off their russet mini-chrysanthemum globes also.

The sun porch is not forgotten either, with a metal topiary wrapped in variegated ivy, which can be decorated with dahlias in fall colors.

What started as just a quick scoot into the garden to capture a pic of the ginko standards before they dropped their leaves, found me so inspired that I proceded to document this point in the upcoming fall before I head to Paris…’twill probably all be over by my return. But one last lingering memory of early fall that I treasure are the cloud formations and the graceful way in which they fill the entire blue sky.

And soon I’ll be sharing “Autumn in Paris” with you…stay tuned for November 9th. Au revoir…

If you enjoy this article, please share it!
Pinterest0

About Bettie Bearden Pardee

Author of Private Newport and Living Newport, garden furniture designer (The Parterre Bench), national lecturer, and entertaining expert. An honoree for the second year on "The Salonniere 100 America's Best Party Hosts", she was also the host and creative producer of "The Presidential Palate: Entertaining at the White House".

22 thoughts on “Early Fall at Parterre”

  4. The vine growing between the twin gingko appears like a sculpture – lovely. Have a wonderful time and enjoy an extra French chocolate for me!!

    1. That vine (thank you!), Cotoneaster, is 25 years old and was designed to be a “wall sculpture.” She’s having some finicky moments as she ages (and one side or the other dies off). I’ll have a hot chocolate for sure! xB

  5. Your gardens never disappoint. Viewing your home’s beauty is lovely way to start my day.

  6. Vivaldi would have been inspired by the “Four Seasons” of your magnificent garden rooms!
    Can’t wait to see photos of your trip to Paris.

    1. I’m smiling at your wonderful analogy..”early fall” makes that 4 1/2 seasons…xxB

  7. LOVELY LADY, 19 OCT 23
    HAVING LIVED IN PARIS FOR SEVERAL GLORIOUS YEARS (IN THE 1970’S), MY APPRECIATION OF ‘GARDENS’ HAS HAD A WELL ROUNDED EDUCATION.
    LET ME COUNT THE WAYS: THE BOIS BE BOULOGME, PLACE DES VOSGES, PALAIS ROYAL, AND LASTLY … MY FAVORITE – PARC MONCEAU.
    IT’S AS THOUGH THEIR SPIRITS … UNITED, AND ENTERED YOUR SOUL.
    LUCKY US!
    FONDLY,
    TOM

    1. I couldn’t agree more…and have seen all but the Bois de Boulogne. Gardesy truly do “enter your soul”, and help keep it at peace. xB

  9. Dear Bettie, Your fall garden reminds us of all your hours of devotion. Our Digit is barking up at Red Bud Tree leaves falling on her head and Red Cardinals looking like the Red Maple leaves of North Carolina fall.

    1. Aaaah, a North Carolina fall…what beautiful descriptions you added to my blog’s comments. Thank you, xB

    1. Hello out there, it means so much to know that we’re staying in touch through my weekly musings…xxB

  11. Glorious Autumn…would she stay just a few weeks, days longer. Certain we will love “Paris in the Autumn-time, too!” Safe travels…franki

    1. Can’t wait to see Paris in Autumn (as the Europeans call it). I’ve never been over this late…xB

Comments are closed.