Gardens and Gardening Sources to Inspire

Le Potager du Roi,  The King’s Kitchen Garden, Versailles

The King’s kitchen garden at Versailles was exclusively designed by Jean Baptiste La Quintinie between 1678 and 1683. His guides were Pliny, Columella, and Virgil and his design still dominates the kitchen garden with almost no change. The design and use of espaliered fruit trees is a real architectural feat and one that even the gardener with the smallest of gardens can learn from. My favorite times to visit are during the Fall and Winter. The Fall is when one can see the trees in their full glory, heavy with fruit and when one can purchase fresh fruit, vegetables, and cider from the on-site farm stall. A visit during the Winter is quite the opposite, the garden is without foliage and there is not a fruit or vegetable to be seen! Never the less, what makes the visit so rewarding is being able to view the espaliered trees without foliage or fruit. It is only then that the full impact of careful pruning and manipulation of the living tree can be fully appreciated. This is also the time when you should bring along a camera and notebook and take as many notes and sketches as possible! On your return home, you shall be ready to espalier your first fruit tree.

Trees of Antiquity

This is my all time favorite nursery and where I’ve purchases all my apples and pears to espalier. The staff is extremely knowledgeable and helpful when it comes to ordering your trees. They will assist you in selecting suitable varieties for both your zone and garden. I love the Jersey apple, an apple they recommended, that is the prize in my garden. It has an incredible aroma and faint pink striping on it’s flesh. Their selection of fruit trees is very fine, ONLY buy from here! 

The Seed Saver’s Exchange

Seed Savers Exchangeis an amazing non-profit, member supported organization that saves and shares heirloom seeds of our garden heritage. This is a wonderful organization with access to over 25,000 seeds. If you are looking for an heirloom seed, this is the place to begin the search!

The Gardens of Colonial Williamsburg

A garden for history buffs, or wait,  a historical garden for gardening buffs! Great information on historic gardens, practices, and native plants.

Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds

On line seed catalog with a strong selection of heirloom seeds, all well priced. I particularly like the broccoli, celery, and radicchio/chicory selection.