Philadelphia, "the city of brotherly love" is the home to Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell and, of course, the famous Philly cheesesteak sandwich. But tucked away in one of its many neighborhoods is one attraction you won't find in any guidebook. It's a private garden hidden behind a carefully landscaped brick wall. This award-winning sanctuary is touted as "America's most beautiful garden." And believe it or not, the gardener is a beginner. Welcome to the yard of Dr. Pete Hendrick, a local family practitioner.
The semi-formal garden has a very calming and relaxing feeling and a sense of control and symmetry. The boxwoods were planted very close. When planting boxwoods, you can save a bit of money by skipping every other space and then allowing them to grow in. Adult boxwoods can also be propagated to create new growth. To do this, you need to take second-year growth, just like you would with roses. Pull away the leaves, strip it a little bit and stick it in footing hormone. Then put it in a pot and press it in the soil. Add a little water, and that's it. To keep it moist, put a plastic bag over it or set it in a jar. It takes only one season to root it and get it in the ground.
The hornbeams in this garden are "pleached." This is a method where the branches are tied together and over time, they grow together and form a complete screen. The hornbeams form a living wall that adds beauty and privacy.
Japanese holly creates a wonderful weaving effect, which Dr. Hendrick calls "a figure-eight with an extra loop." It took about three to four years to establish. He used an ordinary wire hanger to train the holly. As the holly grew, he continued to guide it around the wire. Eventually he removed the ties to prevent choking the plant. A similar technique was used to create elegant lattices of ivy and euonymus.
All of this TLC took time, but the beautiful secret garden is well worth it!
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