A Peony Party at Martha’s

Posted by Liz Aiello

The peonies are in bloom at Martha’s Bedford home and I was one of the lucky people to see them. This was my first time to Martha’s property, so needless to say I was very excited!

I don’t think I’ve every seen so many peonies in one place. As you walked up the path from the stables to the Winter House you knew the peony garden was coming up because you could smell it well before you saw it!

Me with the peonies. There are so many varieties, and each one has a unique scent.

Although the occasion was to celebrate the peonies, what I really wanted to see was Martha’s vegetable garden. Having a garden like this is my dream, so I left my husband, Tony, chatting with Dr. Brent Ridge and his partner, Josh, so I could check out the garden plots.

This is what I wanted to see most -- artichoke plants! I’m trying to grow artichokes (my favorite vegetable) for the first time. My plants are much smaller than this but I’m hoping they’ll soon look like Martha’s. Notice the lady bug enjoying the evening sun.

Can you believe these are asparagus? I found out by reading Martha’s Blog that you have to "allow late shoots to mature into a ferny growth. This is how the roots become energized and get strong for next spring’s productions."

Back at the party I ran into a few radio friends. Here I am with Martha and Dr. Marty , Martha’s vet. You can hear Dr. Marty on Monday evenings on Sirius 112.

Andrew Beckman with Dr. Brent Ridge. Andrew cohosts “Homegrown” on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and Dr. Brent is also on air every Tuesday and Thursday.

One of my very favorite people -- the fabulous Liesl, one of Martha’s assistants. Here she is with Francesca, one of Martha’s French bulldogs.

As I mentioned earlier, the party theme was peonies and they were everywhere: in magnificent centerpieces and even floating in the birdbaths -- so elegant!

Everywhere you look on Martha’s property, there’s something beautiful to see. This little snail sculpture on a stone trough of succulents made me smile.

A pretty vista looking toward the stables. This is the paddock where the miniature donkeys live.

This is my husband's favorite part of the farm -- the Fresian horses! He grew up with horses, so he really enjoyed feeding them some treats and stroking their noses.

Are you growing anything in your garden this year that you’ve never tried before? Tell us about it!

Comments

[Arlene]

OK these flowers are diffently going to be my daughters wedding flowers. And they will be everywhere.

[Hardboiledegg]

I would think a horse can sense one that is comfortable around horses such as your husband -- I do think animals can sense ease and one being ill-at-ease. Yes the peonies were a sight to behold and the 50 or so blossoms Alexis posted on her blog seem as a drop in the bucket compared to the rows and rows of beds in bloom --- Pink Beds there is a spot in the Pishgah national forest called Pink Beds -- I love that name and it seems perfect for Martha's Peonies