Every day — but particularly in springtime — Westporters drive past Prospect Gardens, and marvel at its beauty.
The property, on Prospect Road in Greens Farms, includes nearly 9 acres of flowers, shrubs, lawns, walking paths, meadows, orchards, trees and more.
For over 20 years John and Melissa Ceriale bought adjacent land. Working with the very talented garden designer Cindy Shumate, they created a magical oasis, stretching far and wide.
Looking northeast, on the Ceriales’ property.
Usually, that street view is all that most people see.
But this Saturday (June 8, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.), Prospect Gardens is open to the public.
It’s part of the Garden Conservancy’s Open Days program.
Mature deciduous and evergreen trees create a sweeping canvas, providing a sense of scale, shape and texture.
Key features include a Mediterranean graveled entry garden, 2 orchards, a stone-tiered vegetable garden, blueberry and raspberry houses, beehives, a sunny perennial garden, shady perennial woodland walk, conifer collection, flowering shrub and grass borders, a Japanese-inspired meditation garden and maple collection, 2 pools, containers featuring citrus and cacti, a glasshouse, an internationally renowned sculpture, and a 1-acre perennial/native wildflower meadow.
The most recent addition is a 4-tiered amphitheater, with a stone-medallioned stage.
Pyramid grasses on Prospect Road.
Shumate will be on site all day, explaining the wonders of the land, answering questions and describing Prospect Gardens’ evolution, from just 1 acre in 1996 to today.
She’ll be joined by Judy Gardner of Gardener’s Touch. The perennials expert created 3 specialty gardens plus the containers.
Gabriele Kallenborn will talk about the reproductive cycle of bees, and their importance.
Paul Sztremer of Wildflower Grounds Management will discuss how he and his crew keep the place pruned, planted, fed and weed-free.
Click here for tickets ($10 each), and more information.
One more view of Prospect Gardens.
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