Number 5 on my list of 101 things to do in 1001 days is to visit Brookside Gardens in Montgomery County, Maryland, about a half hour drive from our house.
The entrance is easily reached by GPS. The entry road is protected by a deer-proof roadbed which is very loud and bumpy to cross.
After meticulously perusing their website Charlie and I chose a pleasant 80-degree day to tour the over 50 acre-garden. It’s open from sunrise to sunset and the admission is free.
The Visitors’ Center was planted with sun-loving, hot-colored plants.
We arrived just before 2 p.m. and parked in the convenient parking lot in front of the Visitors’ Center which is open from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Although we arrived just at 2 p.m. when the buildings were closing, the volunteers suggested we take a photo of a map of the gardens.
We walked toward the teahouse (bottom of the map) when we really wanted to see the the perennial garden, rose garden, and butterfly garden (top right of the map). Since there are no signposts to advise our wanderings we did the best we could with the phone photo of the map. Unfortunately using the phone map in the sun was difficult and I had to switch from my sunglasses to my reading glasses each time so ultimately we just stared roaming.
The butterfly garden was humming with bees and butterflies.
We finally figured out where we were when we happened upon the conservatory (which was closed) and began our ramble through connected gardens.
Large specimen trees anchored the colorful garden beds.
The hardscape of the gardens is laid out in rooms with water features, shaded benches, and wisteria covered pergolas. We didn’t stop to sit but other people were enjoying the garden from a restful vantage.
Charlie and I were both interested in the look of this bamboo grass that surrounded the party patio. We noted it was contained on all sides by concrete.
After strolling for about an hour we headed back to the car. I would like to return in spring to see the azalea, wisteria, and iris in bloom.
Keeping it local.
Jo
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