ThePhotoGardenBee » Colonial Williamsburg

Williamsburg’s Colonial Garden and Nursery

Britt — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 05:00:37 +0000

With camera in hand, I buzzed about the historic section that is Colonial Williamsburg today and found even more wonderful garden nuggets. Most may think, as I did, that the gardens are all but dead in the winter. After all, there is a great deal of snow and ice about and only a rare handful of colorful flower blooms to be seen. But I was wrong, the winter garden is the garden for everyone.

One of the Colonial Williamsburg gardeners explained that, most commoners in Colonial Times could not afford a summer garden. The manual labor involoved with the heat, hard work and simple watering would require the man of the house to be around. In most households however, the men were off working during the day and were unavailable to be at home for gardening chores. Women of course were working their own full time jobs keeping the household up. Thus, only those with the money or an extra labor force could have a nice Summer garden on display. The winter garden however was one everyone could have.

The Hearty Winter Garden © Britt Conley

Being full of hearty plants, these gardens were used mostly for food and required far less upkeep to sustain families through the cold harsh winters.

In this garden the Romanesko Broccoli, celery, Purple Top turnips and Welsh Onions are among the many hearty winter specialties.

Romanesko Broccoli © Britt Conley

The Colonial Garden and Nursey is an outdoor garden year round. It’s the same working garden as it had been in Colonial times. It harnesses the power of ingenuity and hard labor. There are three green houses that are used to keep specific plants warm. These low rise green houses are made of wood with three window panes placed atop. The windows can either be propped up with sticks or taken off completely.

A greenhouse © Britt Conley

Inside this one are several varieties of lettuces including Brown Dutch, Aleppo and Imperial.

The lettuce greenhouse © Britt Conley

During expected colder winter nights, the Colonial gardeners layer the greenhouses with a few inches of hay before covering them with a sturdy canvas blanket. This would normally only be needed when the tempertures get into the teens but It never hurts to be ready, just in case.

Colonial Gardener placing hay atop the greenhouses © Britt Conley

Another way to help keep plants warm or get them started a bit earlier in the season is to use these handblown glass bell jars. They are made of the same type of glass and configuration as the original Colonial warmers. Inside these rest happy little cauliflower plants.

Cauliflowers in 18th century belljars © Britt Conle

The winter garden is mainly a haven for vegetables and herbs which explains the great fare that was served for Holidays. Winter could be some of the best weather for a great meal. As it was explained to me today, by the same very kind Colonial Gardener, some vegetables, such as Kale and turnips taste thier best if picked the morning after a good frost. This would go under the Garden Photo Bee’s “who knew?” catagory. Well true winter gardeners and cooks know!

Wheelbarrow © Britt Conley

This particular garden is wonderful because it displays its sense of history through the tools it uses. As an authentic colonial garden, you won’t find a Home Depot spade in the lot. You’ll find the same hoes, twine and wheelbarrows of the day.

Garden Tools © Britt Conley

Within the garden lot is also a sales area for flowers, herbs etc. This time of year it’s the place for all natural things for true colonial christmas decor. (see yesterday’s post).

This fire lets off a surprising amount of heat. © Britt Conley

There is a roaring fire keeping those warm who are out buying wreaths and decorative contents. If I lived near hear, the nursery would be the start of a new excursion tradition for Christmas decorations.

A sneak peak of the Colonial Nursery and Garden outdoor market © Britt Conley

Here they sell everything from great and authentic 18th century Christmas decor to lovely soaps. The hunt around the variety of items is half the fun!

lavander soaps © Britt Conley

The Colonial Garden is fantastic. Seeing it as the exemplary Winter garden for those who first started this country helps put their lives in a wonderfully realistic perspective. You really get the feel of what it was like for Colonial mean and women to live, work and to come in from the cold and eat a regular meal here. It is an experience with great charm and comfort. Eating here reminds me of just how important the meals were and still are, here in Colonial Williamsburg. It’s not just a time to grab a bite. It’s the event of the day.

As I travel from garden to garden, I find each one has a wonderful aspect about them that stays with me. This garden’s living history has given me a whole new view of and even greater appreciation for gardening. As a learning garden this is also a great place for kids. I’ll be back here in the Spring and Summer to view more of Colonial Williamsburg’s gardens. There are many and they come in all shapes, sizes and types. I can’t wait to see them all.

Well the Bee is off to another garden shoot as we speak. As for tomorrow, come back for another Christmas extravaganza, this time at one of the great garden destinations in the country – Biltmore.

‘Til Tomorrow…

Britt : )

Part II: Colonial Williamsburg Christmas!

Britt — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 05:00:39 +0000

Grand Illumination. Photo courtesy Colonial Wiliamsburg

I came here for the gardens and the Christmas decorations. I am leaving with more gardens than anticipated and the wonderful feeling of having had a 1700′s Christmas. As a historic site, Colonial Williamsburg keeps everything as is. The clothes, the utensils, the tools, the houses, the gardens – well everything. This is the amazing charm of this place.

Carriage Rides © Britt Conley

The lifestyle is different here. During the day colonial gardeners are out working the gardens at the nursery, cooks are cooking up true 18th century fare in the taverns and visitors are out getting carriage rides and hitting the shops. It seems simple enough.

The Magazine and Guard House © Britt Conley

But on a cold Winter day like today I had the true feeling of 18th century life. There is much work to be had here. Even for the visitor, walking around can be a bit tiring. We took a break from the bitter tempartures to eat lunch at the Kings Arms Tavern. From the moment you walk in the door you feel pretty close to what everyone else felt coming in through this same door hundreds of years ago: comfort. The architecture, the decor and the food are all about the feeling of being sorely welcome. It’s easy to see how a community would gather in these halls and eat such wonderful, warm and filling food. It’s a far cry from the hustle and bustle that I am used to today. I found it incredibly relaxing and romantic. The tea came in a heavy porcelain pot with matching cup, saucer and creamer. The same sets as the ones used in the day. The fire roared in the background and the wonderful deep wood paneling and beams set the stage.

Tea at the King's Arms Tavern © Britt Conley

But it was the authentic nature of truly old resined wood and simple cotton swags on the walls with the sturdy old thick wood furniture and did I mention the food? I’m mentioning it again. : ) The music at these taverns is also authentic, as are the costumes and the “speak”.

Tavern Dinning. Photo Courtesy Colonial Williamsburg.

Another new favorite place of ours is Christiana Campbell’s Tavern which as Williamsburg correctly states, “tempts guests with traditional seafood from the rest of the British colonies of North America…

Christiana Campbell’s Tavern © Britt Conley

Christiana Campbell’s Tavern provides guests with ample opportunity to savor Mrs. Campbell’s favorite dishes of sherried shrimp, scallops and lobster, as well as the Waterman’s Supper and lump crab cakes, the tavern’s signature dish. The entrées are complemented by longtime tavern favorites of Campbell’s cabbage slaw, spoon bread and sweet potato muffins.”

Apples, Wheat and Magnolia leaves. © Britt Conley

Once outside, Christmas is everywhere. The decorations are amazing (see yesterday’s photo garden bee) and events are just wonderful

People come from all over to celebrate a true Colonial Christmas. Photo courtesy Colonial Williamsburg

This year’s Christmas came Sunday, Dec. 6. but the fireworks titled Colonial Williamsburg’s Grand Illumination, actually started in 1934 as “White Lighting.” This year celebrates its 75th anniversary. The main image for today’s post shows the fireworks. According to Williamsburg, “candles are lit in public buildings, shops and homes, and fireworks are launched at three Historic Area locations: the Governor’s Palace, Magazine and Capitol. Illuminations were commonly used during the 18th century to celebrate major events such as great military victories, the birthday of the monarch, the arrival of a new colonial governor and the like by firing guns into the air and lighting fireworks.”

Fifes and Drums. Photo courtesy Colonial Williamsburg

The Colonial Williamsburg Fifes and Drums are often out and about making for a very realistic holiday indeed!

The Colonial Life © Britt Conley

Around all the streets lie huge bundles of wood waiting for the evening fires which provide the light and the heat needed for Winter strolling.

Iron baskets that are placed on iron poles. Pitch pine, or fat wood, is placed in them and burned to provide illumination during evening programs. Photo courtesy Colonial Williamsburg

If you can manage to get here during Christmas, be sure to check out the Colonial Nursery and Garden. This Winter garden is a historic charmer and will be tomorrow’s feature.

A sneak peak of the Colonial Nursery and Garden outdoor market © Britt Conley

‘Til tomorrow… and happy holidays!

Britt : )

Colonial Williamsburg’s Christmas Wreaths

Britt — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 11:47:31 +0000

This Wreath is purple for the colors of Advent © Britt Conley

They say you go back in time when you get to Colonial Williamsburg, but you really do and that is part of the great charm of the holidays here. As one of the great historic sites in the Nation, Colonial Williamsburg take Christmas just as seriously as they did in the 18th centrury. In fact they take it nearly exactly as they did all those years ago. Nearly every last structure here is decorated with natural items that were used during Colonial times.

Apples, Wheat and Magnolia leaves. © Britt Conley

Each year the Colonial Williamsburg Floral Design Department and volunteers spend months working on the wreath decorations for most of the structures here. The few lucky who actually live here decorate thier own homes. Coveted awards for best wreaths are sought after and displayed proudly on the front of the winning buildings.

There are no christmas lights here adorning the homes, stores or pubs. Just simple items found mainly in the gardens and on the trees. One of the most facsinating for me is the Cardoon plant.

It grows heartily in the winter. As the plant matures, the stalk is cut, the leaves are stripped away and the flower or thistle that blooms from it, is cut off. The thistle is used for decorations in wreaths, the stalk is cooked for dinner. From what I understand, it tastes just like it’s cousin, the artichoke.

All natural doesn’t have to be boring. There are plenty of ways to display a variety of ingredients and found leaves. At this private home in the middle of the historic district the decor is horse related. The Apples and Magnolia Leaves go beautifully together. I especially love the stirrup holding a single apple.

Another place for deocrations is the orchards. Lady Smith Apples are the main attraction on wreaths around the town. They are hearty and found more prevalently on the North facing facades due to the lack of direct heat that can spoil them. I did not see a spoiled one in the bunch.

Their wonderful outdoor Colonial Garden and Nuusery sells everything you see around town in big bins for your own creative wreath endeavors. These Lady Smith Apples and the miniature Pineapples are the highlights for many wreaths. Due to their status as an exotic import Pineapples were prized in the day as they are now as a Colonial Williamsburg Christmas specialty.

Another great item to look out for are fruits! Osage oranges and pomegranates are grown here in the historic area. They’re also herbs and various vegetables to be found and berries of the season.

One of the unexpected items that also figures prominently here are the local shells from the erosion ravines heading toward the river. These shells lay just under the soil now and can be easily dug up. There are so many of them they use the crushed peices for the loose (gravel like) pathways. Both scalloped and oyster shells are found in the area.

Other wreaths feature hops and freeze-dried items while others include cocoa or hot peppers. Many of the items are themed to the use of the buildings themselves.

The wreaths include every type. Here is just a sampling of what is displayed here.

Well there are plenty more and all to be had with roaring fires, inns, pubs and great shopping! This Bee is here for one more day and heading out to shoot more of Colonial Williamsburg this morning. I’ll be popping in and out for some hot tea and great food in between photographs. Despite driving 8 hours to get here in the worst snow storm I can remember, it has been worth every minute of the drive so far!

‘Til Tomorrow!

Britt : )