I was held captive at their country estate

(with subtitle) I was left alone to explore in a ‘cage’ at a country estate. A stunning greenhouse/’she shed’ leads to a vibrant garden in a ‘cage’, which has a cottage garden flair but also with a meticulously structured layout, reminiscent of a walled garden. This is the Lonesome Oak Gardens, part of the Open Gardens WNY program.

(Upstate New York. USDA Cold hardiness Zone 6)(Filmed in July 2023)

I am Jay, I ask strangers if I can see their gardens. New video on Fridays. This video is part of the ” Can I see your garden? ” series:

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Hi folks, it’s Jay. I visited a garden that surpassed all my imaginations and expectations. Enclosed within a cage at a country estate, its unique design is beyond comparison, and I found myself willingly became a captive of its beauty.

This is the Lonesome Oak Gardens, part of the Open Gardens program in Western New York.   The gardener had to leave for an appointment that afternoon, so I was granted the opportunity to explore this garden by myself. Upon arrival, I wasn’t sure how to enter this garden, but the greenhouse felt so inviting,  

Pulling me towards it effortlessly. As you  can see, it is a fully functional greenhouse,   with shades on the roof, and  cold frames by the entrance. Then I realize the entire garden space was  enclosed with metal fence, resembling a cage.

It evoked the essence of a walled garden, delineating  a space of distinct definition and purpose. Now let’s enter the greenhouse.  But it’s more than just a greenhouse,   it’s a wonderfully cozy retreat,  complete with a potting workspace,   seating area, decorations alongside  stunning container plantings. The color scheme here is particularly striking, 

With vibrant orange and burgundy flowers set against blue containers. Not only does it looks beautiful, but the space also serves numerous practical functions.  I didn’t realize I wanted a greenhouse just like this until this moment. The enclosed garden space unfolds in front of us as soon as we step out of the greenhouse.

While it exudes a charming cottage garden flair,   what strikes me the most is its meticulously structured layout. The free flowing forms of the garden beds and gravel paths were crisply defined, either by metal edging or raised bed. The gardener provided a superb example in using mass planting to achieve breathtaking visual impact.   

More importantly, each color block was planted in proportion to the overall size of the space. This is one of the crucial principle when thinking about any garden space. As you can tell, there is no shade from  any trees or structures in this garden,   so the plants selected here are all sun-loving varieties.

The gardener demonstrated a masterful design  of a garden in full-sun situation. Raised beds are cleverly employed not just for  annuals, but also for vegetables and herbs.   One bed bursts with Zinnias, while another  teems with flourishing squash plants. And, of course, the sunflowers stand out in  their dense, mass-planted arrangement,  

Showcasing their full splendor  in this sun-soaked garden. This is also a kitchen garden, where tomatoes and  basils mingle with other herbs amidst a tapestry   of annuals and flowering perennials. The vibrant  colors under the sunny sky are simply unmatched. The strategically placed obelisk trellises,  though not all adorned with climbing plants,  

Contribute height and structure  to the mixed garden beds,   imparting a sense of cohesion  and unity throughout the space. A simple bistro set adds an  air of leisure and comfort,   serving as much for visual  enjoyment as for actual relaxation. The metal fence surrounding the perimeter  of the garden provides full enclosure,  

Shielding it from deer and other critters. The gardener use the fence  as additional growing space,   we see a few clematis blooming profusely  at this corner, adding vertical interest. I believe this one is a relatively new  cultivar, called Sweet Summer Love.   It’s a hybrid between the large purple  variety and the Sweet Autumn Clematis,  

Flowering throughout the summer with a  delicate fragrance. It’s one of my favorite. The fence enclosure also supports a few fruiting trees  trained in the espalier form, such as this apple tree. In this garden, there’s an impressive collection  of perennials, including the lavenders and the daisies.  There’s something inherently cheerful about daisies

They possess a natural, joyful disposition, thriving with vigor and vitality. In my experience, they’re remarkably easy to grow, requiring minimal care and watering.    Given the chance, they tend to fill a sunny corner of  your garden with their lively presence. In the heart of the garden, there is an archway tunnel,

Which supports the climbing hydrangea as well as the climbing roses. The honey like fragrance from the roses was intoxicating and attracted lots of pollinators. Attempting to walk through the archway,  I found myself hindered by the lush   climbing roses. As I turned the other way,  I saw two tree form hydrangea paniculata,  

Guarding the far end of the  garden, like two little soldiers. Every corner of the garden is brimming with life,  a raised bed filled with zinnia, another one with annual salvias, and this one looks like some type of raspberry bush,

And this seems to be a bed of dahlia, which are yet to bloom. This looks like a wonderful cutting garden in the making. From this vantage point, the garden unfolds in  all its splendor. The free flowing mix borders  

Soften the rigid lines of the raised beds. A sea  of vibrant red bee balm dances harmoniously next   to swathes of bright yellow rudbeckia, creating  a mesmerizing tapestry of color and texture. In this corner of the garden, a flowering dogwood  catches my eye. I recognize it as a Kousa Dogwood,  

Distinguished by its unique fruit.  They are edible and quite beautiful in   the fall when they turn red, but usually  birds devour them as soon as they ripen. The ocean of golden blossoms stretches on,   with Coreopsis, the Tickseed, adding a brilliant  splash of color. In the background,  

A few hydrangea paniulata bushes were just about  to set buds, promising a show later in the season. Look at the varying shades of pink,  white and blue Veronica Speedwell. When grouped together in this color palette,   I can imagine nothing more elegant and beautiful. This garden truly encompasses every hue of the rainbow.

Moving on, another area  centered with a few raised beds,   which are ideal for plants that tends  to spread, such as thyme and strawberry,   the raised bed offers an elegant solution  to keep everything neat and tidy. The gravel paths lend a cohesive feel to  the entire garden, and the gentle crunching  

Sound underfoot is remarkably soothing.  Not only do they add aesthetic appeal,   but they also serve practical purposes by  suppressing weeds and aiding in drainage,   no muddy foot print from the garden to the house. At the center of the garden, I found  a small pool with a bubbling fountain,  

And a bench completes the picture,  a perfect spot for contemplating. With or without the enclosing fence, this garden remains a captivating outdoor space. I still recall the warmth of that sunny July afternoon and the sheer delight I experienced while I was in this extraordinary ‘cage’,

And this is my whispers in the garden.