Lioba's Garden is inspired by the gardens my family took me to. For example, Sterling Forest Gardens in Tuxedo, NY, which is now home to the muddy Renaissance Festival. I nearly cried. The gardens, fountains and flamingos were beautiful. The Planting Fieldings, Coe Hall, arboretum and greenhouses donated to the State of NY. Strangely enough is where Stony Brook University started in geodomes. They have intimate concerts in front of the stables. And then there was my parent's garden. They must have spent a fortune on annuals. Every year they changed their display along the driveway. We had roses, shrubs and blue spruce too. My favorites were the wisteria that ran the fence along the property and around the corner and at that point it was time to cut it back, according to my Dad. I always asked him not to. My other favorite were the tiger lilies. I used to love getting the pollen on my nose. My sister introduced me to Old Westbury Gardens, another robber baron mansion and estate. This one is privately owned. One could loose themselves there and I did. Thank you my family for bringing out my love of nature and getting me addicted to gardening.
