The Art of Color

Most people have probably never heard of the Rosengarten family, but we all owe them a deep debt of gratitude for the garden they left to the public in Wayne, PA, near Philadelphia.  It's called Chanticleer, and it's the old country estate of Adolph Rosengarten, whose family was in the pharmaceutical business for many years.

In the 1980's, Rosengarten hired horticulturist Chris Woods to turn the huge open space into a series of gardens connected by a long circular path that winds throughout the estate.  Chanticleer first opened to the public in 1993, and it is, simply, a most amazing place.

The entrance courtyard is overflowing with tropicals -- bananas, taro, pineapple lilies, gingers, and many more --  an astounding  array of purple, chartreuse, maroon and burgundy, oranges, reds, and hummingbirds all summer long.  The old tennis court, shown here, has now been turned into a series of garden beds with specific color themes.

What you'll immediately notice about the garden -- aside from the plants -- is the very close attention to detail, particularly in the choice of materials.  The color of the bridge is reflected by yellow-y plants in the distance; the stone inserts set into the burgundy paving let you know that you're about to enter a different space.

At Chanticleer, you'll see an espaliered tri-color beech tree, an espaliered dogwood and espaliered apples, purple gas plant and 'Grosso' lavender.  You can imagine sitting on the open sun porch, which links the house and the garden.

In the woodland garden, there are giant Himalayan lilies (Cardiocrinum cathayanum), many different groundcover gingers, pink primulas and Asian jack-in-the pulpits.

Continuing around the main path, you'll come to the water garden, the stream garden with a waterwheel, and a "ruin" designed by Chris Woods and landscape architect Mara Baird.  It's built on the foundation of one of the estate's former houses, and has a great hall, a library, and and pool room.

They call Chanticleer "a pleasure garden," and it's one sure pleasure you won't want to miss.

(click on images for larger view)