I had a chance to pop into the Derby garden this morning. This garden is really precious to me. Michael and I helped with it’s installation about 23 years ago. At that time I had an appreciation for gardens but no experience or knowledge. This is where gardening really started for me. The young couple who created it worked very hard to design it to represent a garden typical of this setting and the early 1700s time period. I should back up a bit and explain that it sits behind the home of the first American millionaire, Elias Haskett Derby, hence it’s name the Derby Garden.
At first glance over the fence it may look a bit barren and gray, but if you slow down and look closely you’ll see that the beds are about to spring to life.
I believe that these are the first few leaves of hollyhock.
There are plenty of snowdrops.
They really are one of the first signs of spring. These will be there for a few more days before it’s time to say goodbye till next year.
I’m pretty sure that these are small daffodils. I’ll have to try to check back in a few days to confirm.
Something from the allium family? Time will tell us exactly what.
Crocus
A beautiful carpet of green, maybe grape hyacinths? 
This apple tree bears small, tough fruit but I’ve made a pie or two from here.
Here’s the view looking out toward the water. We lived in the blue building to the left when we were first married. It was a perfect honeymoon loft for us. We have lots of good memories from our days on Derby Street.
I loved thinking about how we were looking at the same view that the Derbys did when they lived there.
It has changed a bit but their spirit is here. I can feel it. Especially when I spend time in the garden and imagine what they might have grown and raised in the yard.
Enjoy Everything today!
Michele
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- Gardens to visit #001 (wearecultivate.wordpress.com)
- The First Day of Spring and our Trip to the Spring Flower Show at Phipps! (pittsburghmommyblog.com)
