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Welcome to the Grey Horse Inn Gardens
The gardens at the Grey Horse Inn were created in Spring
2002 by local landscape designer Linda Hostetler. Known for
her passion for plants, in particular her tremendous
knowledge of perennials, she carefully considered the color,
shape, and size of foliage and flower to establish beauty
and harmony in the design. Gently curving paths lead guests
from a welcoming entrance to a secluded shade garden to
vibrant sun gardens. Each area is planted for four season
interest using a mix of broad leaf evergreen and conifers,
deciduous trees, ornamental grasses, and unusual perennials
and annuals. Stone walls and patios blend with the historic
architecture of the Inn as do the ponds and statuary.
The Entrance
A circular drive brings you to the front door of the Grey
Horse Inn, where colorful containers exploding with flowers
welcome you to a full length front porch complete with
rocking chairs. The drive surrounds an island planting of
flowing liriope spicata that secretly holds hundreds of
fragrant white 'Thalia' daffodils, opening in May. Flowering
'Chanticleer' pear and dwarf rhododendron yield to oriental
lilies, iris, foxglove and white phlox, bringing a wonderful
summer parade of perfumes.
The Shade Garden
The South side of the Inn offers a peaceful retreat from an
all too busy world. Red 'Bloodgood' maples flank the
entrance of the garden which is shaded by old hardwood
trees. A stone-lined mulched path leads to a large urn
planted in hosta 'Sagae' and Japanese rain forest grass,
resting on a golden carpet of 'Creeping Jenny'. The path
continues to a quiet fish pond and bench surrounded by fern,
astilbe, and blue and gold hosta. Spring is the favorite
season here. In March, hellebores open the show with
purple nodding heads, followed by the blooms of brunnera,
columbine, foxglove, wood poppy and goatsbeard. Oakle af and
Annabelle hydrangeas boast huge pompoms of white.
The Summer Garden
Behind the Inn, sun gardens shine for months with a
progression of flowering perennials and shrubs. Color runs
wild, especially in June and July. Peonies, iris, nepeta,
Russian sage, hardy geraniums, coneflower, daylily and
dianthus are just some of the flowers creating this rainbow.
Sun tolerant hosta, dianthus, coral bell and velvety lamb's
ear soften the design with beautiful foliage. Flowering Kousa dogwood, Styrax japonica, and Crape Myrtle grace
garden beds outlined in liriope 'Big Blue'. A musical
waterfall spills under a weeping red maple into a koi pond
near a circular stone patio where guests can relax and enjoy
the view of Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains. Fall is not to
be missed, when ornamental grasses, 'Purple Dome' asters and
sedum join the brilliant red leaves of viburnum and
barberry. |
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