Page 1 REEF POINT GARDENS GARDEN GUIDE BOOK NOTES INTRODUCTION: Reef Point is a Garden for leisurely enjoyment where one may wander along various intriguing paths, bordered by a wealth of plant material. These paths may lead to some breath taking spot of color where one may wish to linger. It is in such places that appropriate benches and chairs are placed as an invitation to do just that, It is the purpose of the Guide Book to point out the plant as they may be found in flower, fruit or foliage of special interest throughout the season. To some an unusual or interesting bit of history may be attached which will also appear in the following pages of the Guide Book. The Garden is devivded into Sections for ease in study and location og plant material. For this reason Section numbers will be referred to from time to time and may be 100- ated upon the Section Plan of Reef Point Gardens also printed within the Guide Book. You are invited to wander leisurely through the gardens and it is hoped that the Guide Book may lend to your enjoy- ment by bringing you into closer contact with the plants which grow happily together here. April 1948 Page 2 THE HANCOCK STREET ENTRANCE & DRIVE: Sections: 67. Hancock Street runs South off Main Street in Bar Harbor and terminates at the entrance to Reef Point. Here a semi- circular area outside the stone gateposts marks the Entrance. At the foot of the right hand posts is a rounded, smooth field stone bearing the inscription. "Reef Point". The planting h here is simple. The road beyond includes Sections 53, 59, 60, 67 and 68. To the west of the road are overhanging Red Maples with a planting of young Hemlooks beneath them. Interrupted and Os* trich Ferns give intermediate height, while violets and Van- couveria edge the drive. To the east of the road is a planting of native mat- erial: Viburnums, Ilex, Memopanthus with some alien nut trees and a ground cover of violets. It is here that a small sign points to the foot path leading into the gardens. White Pine intrudes a bit into this area and spreads out toward the house into Section 53 where the road circles toward the main entrance to the house. Along both sides of the road hayscente and lady ferns are the edging material. Back against the garden fence the Mt. Laurel planting from the across the ROAD echoes pleasingly --- a lovely sight when in flower early in July. Easy transition is made from Laurel to Rhodo. Maxima, which follows down to the Tower House thus meeting the west entrance to the Dwarf fruit and vegetable gardens. THE CIRCULAR AREA WITHIN TURNAROUND: Section 45 The circular area in front of the house with a heavy planting of Arborvitae achieves the planned hiding of the front entrance very well. Thus the entrance does not appear until one rounds the curve passed the Tower House and a magnificent white spruce, the branches of which seem to guard the covered passageway leading from halfway house to tower and office. Along the west of the turnaround runs a cover planting of bunchberry in back of which and among the arbor- vitae is a planting of Osmunda ferns. Some Flowering crab apples grow across from the house and within the area is a Cutleaf maple and Black birch well established. A dainty ing of campanulas and dianthus deltoides (Grass Pinks) com- pletes the group opposite the entrance. Beyond the entrance drive are designated parking areas. THE STARTING POINT: Section 67 and 68 Returning to the sign by the Hancock Street entrance seems to be a good starting point for a tour of the Gardens. The violet bordered path leads through a wooden gate into the dwarf fruit and vegetable garden Sections60 and 61. The path runs close to the south fence upon which climb wild grape vines. Beneath them is a narrow carpet of for-get-me- nots. Dwarf apple trees border the north side of path and these trulty bear delicious fruit from the early apples of Page 3 of mid summer to the late fall varieties. Enough, it is said, to keep the Reef Point household well supplied with fruit throughout the season. on the west fence grow espalier cherries peaches and plums. Grape vines grow on the stone posts between them. Near the east end are dahlias and chrysanthemums for cutting. Near the east fence is a nursery for young Rhodo. seedlings. A choice of paths here leads into the wooded area and shady paths or to the west and to the Tower house cover- THE PATH ed with aTriperygium vine. Passing through a wooden gate/1 leads onto the entrance road and thus to the front porch, Section 46 where potted plants such as ageratum, nicotiana and geraniums - the peppermint variety with with velvety Coliage - are placed for color and fragrance. THE PERENNIAL TERRACE: Sections 46. and 54. Steps lead down onto the teraace where there is alway 8 bloom -- perennials, bulbs av annuals. The early spring bulbs are followed by irises, peonies -the old fashioned sorts and tree varieties, for-get-me-nots, violas and sealavender with the lovely pale pink Grus an Acchan rose and dainty annuals as the season advances. The colors here are lavenders, pinks, and whites blending softly with grey foliage plants. On the halfway house wall blooms Clematis Nellie Moser in early July, It truly steals the show then with it's large white blossoms veined with purple, in stricking contrast to the dark of the building behind it. THE ROSE TERRACE: Sections 39 and 47 Turning left at the foot of the porch steps, the terrace path leads passed the fragrance of heliotrope onto the rose ,terrace where over a hundred single hybrid tea roses bloom in profusion in July and intermitently until frosts the house at the back of the rosesbloom many lovely vines. Clematis and honeysuckle in unsusaal varities bloom close to a Hydrangea Vine and the wonder and famous Tripterygium vine which is covered with foamy white flowers in late june and early July Cuttings from this vine have been sent to several places in the united States and to England. It is the Manchurian Thunder vine of the Orient. The rose beds are edged with bex*frem+tire Buxus sempervirens - all grown from outtings raised from the two Box plants either side the halfway house doss. door. Below the terrace wall, bloom narcissus of the Leedsii var- ieties in** in the early spring. This is indeed a study in white against the grey follage of lavender and the dropping grey follage and white flowers of cerastium. VIEW FROM THE ROSE TERRACE: Secti* From the terrace the view overlooking the gardens below and the Bay beyond is one long to be remembered. From here t the tall old spruces point to the sky, giving pleasant dark contrast and silhouette to the garden and Bay, helping to tie all into one unified and lovely whole. To the north-east Page 4 in Section 39, stands the large oak, planted by Mrs. Farrand some 60 years ago. It adds charm to the garden from this point and a spot of deep shade where only hayscented ferns will grow. To the south in Section 54 1188 stands a red maple, also planted by Mrs. Farrand. It is lovely through the season with fragrant blossoms early in spring, the 0001 shade beneath it in summer where the evergreen ferns love to grow and the glory of its color in autumn against the boundary planting sf hemlock behind it. From the house and terrace a panorama of bloom passes through the seasons. Lavender Azaleas bloom in early spring, followed by the pinks and still later at the end of June - the lovelyye yellow and orange ones bloom in the south east loorner. All Azaleas have been carefully planned for so that pinks and orange cannot be seen at the same time should the overlap in season There are Flowering cherries and crabapples in this area also and the beautiful droup ingg panicles of yellow, belonging to the golden chain tree, (Lab- urnum). During the warmer days of Julf the Eremua and Miss Preston lilies bloom in front of the Ilex hedge at the lower end of the garden. Turks oap lilies and hybrib mulliens bloom among the Azalea plantings. With mid August the beds just beyond the lawn turn into carpets of lavender heather. With the comming of fall, the cherry tree turns a brilliant rosy red, each shrub puts on its own autumn glory of color an finally the Ilex hegge drops its still green leaves, ex- posing many brilliant red berries to view - a final ribbon of color at the lower end of the garden. THE GRAVEL AND ROCK GARDENS: Sections 54 and 62 Probably the best way to get downn into the garden, without missing secluded spots, is to retrace steps along the terrace path passed the holfway house, where the gravel gar- den is planted to show what sorts of material will grow under such conditions. Much grey foliage is used here, including the effective Salix tristianand dianthus withfragrant blossoms finely cut and gayly maked with deeper pinks and reds. Thyme grows here also along the narrow path intersecting the garden and leading to covered passage and tower house. The south Section, mainly in 62, is given over to sempervivums which seem to delight in the dry sunny slope, growing to be large masses of rosettes in various shades of green tinted at the edges with red in some varieties. Some of the more unusual gentians flaunt their blues to the sky in the fall. On the soth of the path leading from the tower house grow a few lav- ender Azalea plants in back of which is a lagge plantation of foxgloves. Close to the path interection is a glossy green planting of Galax running back to the feet of large speciman Arbovitae. White spikes of flowers cover cover it in August. A cross path here leads from terrace to fruit garden and it is near the south end that a planting of rodgersia grows at the feet of the hemlocks. This plant comes from the gorges of China and has outstandingly large chestnut like leaves and clusters of white flowers. (I think there is a planting here) Page 5 THE SHADY PATH: Section 62, 63 and 70 At the path_interection above mentioned, keep straight on tb the east and down the shady path. On the south side is a plantation of Rhododenron One variety is Rhodo. distinctly wearing silver on the under side of the leaves. Crocuses and small plants edge the path to the spruce tree. Beyond the spruce and at the intersection of paths in Section 63 partridge berry is growing nicely as long as the over enthasiastic bunchberry is kept at bay. Backing this section of the path is a hemlock planting including the native canada hemlock, carolina hemlook and western hemlock a tiny seedling of which was 'brought by Mrs. Farrand from Alaska in a match box. On the north side of the at the intersection from tower house and gravel garden (Section 62) are several varieties of Pieris - (Andromeda). Crocues both spring and autumn sorts grow here and under the deep shade of the maple are evergreen ferns. Lily of the valley is well established here, quite close to a dwarf hemlock. Again returning to the lower inter- section in Section 63 there is a planting of with dainty white flowers in midsummer. This plant carries across diagonally to the opposite side of path and is very effective in texture against a BP hemlock background. At the tip is a late blooming plant from Japan - yellow fleshy blossoms. South on the cross path in Section 63* 71 is a small planting from the Katadin Mountain area, Over a mossy log grow snowberries usually difficult to establish. Along here, also, are more Rodgersia plants. North on this path are February Daphne shrubs in white and lavender, the blossoms nestling snugglyto the branches, where later appears red fruit on the lavender and orange fruit on the white. Here under the pine tree is a glorious planting of bunchberries, lovely with white blossoms in the spring and with bunches 0₫ red berries in the fall. This path leads into the grass path in Section 55 where which runs quite directly from the halfway house steps to the perenial garden. Naer the edge of the lawn aretwo grey Zenobia shrubs and in this area are also some very fine large spreadingYew. But to return to the shadty path in the eastern part of @ection 63, there is to be found along the sides of the pine needle path unusaal wild flowers and ferns, the wild gingers, Vanoouveria, blood root - pink and white -, trilliums beech and oak ferns and finally royal and osmunda ferns making the transition between the shady path and the grass path of the pernnial garden beyond. the PERENNIAL GARDEN: Sections 56 and 64 The perennial garden is devided into four sections, each filled with ofor color throughout the season. Emerging Page 6 from the shady path and to the south is a stone bench facingg a planting o f hosta, the screen planting of arborvitae and spruces furnishes a background. To the north and swinging around the curve into the garden are peonies and astilbe varieties chosen to cover a long period of bloom. The two sections west and toward the house are arranged in pink, lavender and white color scheme. The fragrance of Phlox in August may long be remembered. In August ,also, Sobaria with large white plumes echoes to the sky the spires of astilbe below it, On the veryhorth-east tip of this south west section is an outstand- planting of grey foliaged artemesias. At the back of the north west section grows Hydrangea praecox with blossoms accentuating the horizontal characteristic of growth. The color scheme of the two east beds is yellow, orange and blue. Hemerocallis, aconites, globe thistles, helenium, goldenglow, veronicas, bugle weed and lungwort are planted here, with marigold to fill in as the season advances. Section to the north east boasts a very rare shrub and this setion is backed by forsythia in variety and laburnums. At the east end of this section and oon line with the grass path leading to the halfway house stands a very old ?) Blue spruce, its branches arching to the ground. Teekwood chairs are placed here -- and tables each bearing a metal label telling from what wrecked ship the wood was taken. The south east bed is backed by honeysukle, sorbaria, and flowering crabapples. Looking south from the center of the perennial garden, is a small and part of the garden, witth a birbath placedin front of atmassed planting of arborvitae. More chairs and a table are here The grass path leads to the east and a very narrow one runs under the two flowering crab apples passed plantings of maidenhair fern and other shade loving plants coming out by the big white spruce. THE YELLOW AZALEA PLANTING: Sections 57, 65 and 66 Continuing along the path, rather than going into the the fern area by the flowering crabs, one comes upon another bench inback of which grows the red leaved rose, distinct with its purplish leaves and stems. Turning from a notherly direction onto the gravel path running east are one finds some of the old time roses such as mundi, the bicolor, and double rugosas. From hefe the path wanders through the orange and yellow hybrid Azaleas which are so lovely in early July. Later in the season unusaually tall speciman Turks cap lilies tower above ath shrubsand carry on the color scheme. The path leads passed a choics planting of Mountain cranberry and onto the service road which runs around three sides of the garded. Along this road is a planting of natural material: viburnums, blueberries, Mt. holly, black alder, rosa virginiana, bush honeysuckle. A path circles among the Azaleas and leads north back of the big spruce tree where 968" some hugh cultivated blueberries with a high bushwild one near by, necessary in order to produce fruit. This path stops when it meats the the east west path through the pink Azalea plantings. Page 7 PINK AZALEA PLANTINGS: Sections 49,56, 57 On the south side of the path --Section 56 -- runs a plantation of Rhodo. On the north is a planting of the late Rhodo. viscosa which is very pleasing in fragrance. Beyond the intersection - Section 57 - there is planted Rhodo. Schlippenbachii which is considered one of the hardiest of the Azaleas. To the north ttes grows Rhodo.vaseyi Some Clethera varieties devide planting from the planting beyond. This path terminates at a cross path which runs north and south. Turn- ing north this path runs into the main path from rose terrace to bird bath practically bisecting Section 48. H THE HEATER PLANTING: Sections 49, 56 and 57 Looking west from the above mentioned path, is the heather plantation with many varieties of heath and heather included. Special thought was given to making the terrain of this area uneven and giving to it a natural appearance, At certain points some of the evergreen barberries and huckle- berries are planted to add height. THE LAVENDER AZALEAS: Sections 39, 40, 4 ' On either side of the heather planting grow lavender Azaleas, which are the earliest of all the azaleas to bloo m. These azaleas are carried into the north part of Section 40, close to the large Pitch Pine and running south 43 along the Black alder hedge until the Miss Preston Lilies and Eremus begin, on the east side of the cross walk bisecting Section 48. Going north from intersection, the heather continues for a bit terminated by a fine planting of Rhodora on the west. and On the east heather, also, continues for a bit, followed by some special Azaleas and terminating with the flowering cherry which is so brilliant in autumn gown. EAST TO THE SHORE PATH GATE: Sections 33 and 40 At the termination of the path above mentioned there is a path running east and west leading from the rose terrace steps to the gate which opens onto the shore path. Turning east this path runs passed a oherished planting of goldthread beneath the pitch pine to the south. To the north are fine specimans of Viburnums. The path then crosses that running in back of the Ilex hedge and leads by one side of a triangle planted with hawthorns and solomons seal, across the Service Road to the wooden gate which ppens onto the shore. WEST TO THE ROSE TERRACE STEPS: Sections 39 and 40 Here the pathe leads under the big oak tree, planted by Mrs. Farrand, through the dwarf spruce markers, across the Page 8 lawn and up the steps to the rose terrace. To the north of this path are some red Azaleas and a planting of Flowering Quinoe in pinks and white. I Behind these and on a cross path, just at the tip of Section 39, is a sheltered spot where grow a few rare plants such as Stewartia and Enkianthus. PATH FROM OAK TREE TO RHODODENDRON PLANTING: Sections 31 & 32 Clse to the oak tree a new path runs north and winds across a corner of Section 31, under the large spruce in Section 32 and emerges onto the Service Road. It is close to the Service Road and under the big spruce tree that the new Rhododenron plantation is located. FROM SERVICE ROAD TO BOG GARDEN: Sections 22 and 23 Along the Service Road and leading North west is an- other fine planting of bunchberry. A little farther on a cross path leads to the main path from rose terrace to garden club house. Along this path a planting of Azaleas has been started The Service road leads by a rather special plant- ing of the great blue lobelia to the Bog Garden. Hero there is much fine detail in plant material -- Jack-in-the pulpit, pitcher plants, sundews, orchis, cranberries, Iris, Mt. Laurel, with a good bit of myrica gale and royal fern occupying the back ground area beyond. On the north*side east side of the Service Road is more swampy area where wild irises grow. THE GARDEN CLUB HOUSE AREA: Sections 12, 13, 20 and 31 Following a little farther along the Service Road a path leads west -Section 13- and goes directly to the Garden Club House. On either side this walk are plantings of bedstraw which merge into wild strawberries, white with blossome in early june and fragrant with luscious fruit a few weeks later. On either side the steps and ren are some plants of the famous Bar Harbor Juniper. At the terrace wall is a splend id planting of Bearberry which has established itself in the last ten years. It has glossy green foliage and interesting fruit turning from green to red snuggled among the follage. M On the terace in Section 30 are more teakwood chairs and tables and here visitors may sit and rest as long as they please, looking across thegarden, under the big spruce trees and out onto the bay where white sails move leisurely upon its wavy surface. The terrace is hedged with a low hyssop h hedge. A quince is planted either side the steps leading up to the garden house and unusual honeysuckle and olematis vines glimb on the walls. Pausing and looking out over the garden from here, the bog garden pattern to the south-east stands out clearly. near the path a plnting of goldenrod and fall asters gives height and color. There are white birches grace fully growing above the myrica and royal ferns. The color of the ferns is a rich rust in the autumn and is of striking and unusual beauty. Directly south and toward the house in Section 30, are many varieties of Rhododendron ranging from Page 9 from the lage maximun to in the background to the very small ones in the foreground. Under the heavy shade of the spruces grow thw Christmas fern and Pachysandra. Between terrace and Rhodo. planting runs a ribbon of Loupine. Ro the north-east Section 8 12 and 20, ,encircled by the Service round at the back is the British Group. Close to the north -west terrace wall is a flat mass planting of thyme, forming a carpet of lavender with a pattern of white in/June. Beyond is an English oak, planted among Scotoh rose spinossisima altaica which rund to the big spruce tree. Planted here also are the English birch, privet, and intruding section of lupinand garden helio- trope, Close to the spruce is a planting of salix tristis, and the dwarf purplà willow. The rose planting continues x along the Service road, terminated by Viburnum at the path In front of the roses is a band of asters and the intervening space is given over to a ground cover of tge com- mon juniper with huckleberries soattered to give height. PLANTING FROM GARDEN HOUSE TO HOUSE: Sections 30 and 29 On the north-west end of the Garden House are two plants of Schizophragma - Hydrangea vine- which are doingg well and are interesting in flower. In the small area between paths are planted Scotch BOBOS, among the the sweetbreir eglanteria the fragrance of which is brought out especially on damp and dewy days. The south-west side of the garden house is planted to sedim with tiny sedum acre growing in a orevice &long the top of the step. On the walls climb clematis and honeysuokle. Especially beautiful is Lonicers Tellmaniana with its golden yellow bloom. In the fall silky seed pods add to the beauty of the olematis vines after the blossoms have gone. Edging the drime between G. C. house and house is one of the apline cingfoils which grow on our Mountain tops. This planting terminates with a fine cotoneaster which bears large red berries. Xanthorhiza grows in the background. GRASS PARKING SPACE AND DOMESTIC GROUP: Sections 10 and 11 East of the drive in section 11 is a grass parking space, separated from the drive by a narrow planting of domestic shrubs used as a face down for the larches which have become established and will some day fill the vacancies left by the old spruce trees. Since lilacs are often seen plante d in combination with larches around the earlier farm bulidings, the planting here has a large share of same. Several sorts of spiaea are planted here; many honeysukles with flowers ranging from white to cream to pink to red and fruit from yellow to orange to red. This fruit attracts many birds. Snowberry also has a place. here. As an edging low black eyed susan has been used. ATLANTIC AVENUE EXIT ROAD Sections 1,2,9,10 Page 10 Beyond the domestic planting and to the north-east of the exit road is a young planting of of Azalea roseum. Mark#BACK ing the exit gate are two young sugar maples. Along the back of this planting is a white spruce grove, with many replace- ment spruces planted to continue the wind break throughttes through the years as it is needed all alnog this fence area to give protection to the plantings within the gardens. Along the south-west side of the road is woodsy planting of viburn- ums and big leaved aster. A path separates it from the soft wood growth beyond. THE WOODLAND AREA: Sections 8,9,16, 17 and 18 The woodland path leads through this area running by flowering trees, such as crabs, dogwoog (afternate leaved), and laburnums. Ress These laburnums, golden rain trees, will be truly beautiful in a few years with yellow panicles of flowers hanging over the path. The red spruce growth has an unde r planting of young spruces and hemlooks and a ground oover canada mayflower. The path windceasily &long the edge of the hardwoods growth where sugar plum echoes the snow fall of winter with its many delicate white flowers. Here also are sugar, red and norway maples; silver and white birches; Da hornbeam and wild cherries. Along the fence some is a plant- ing of various pines and spruces. The path leads passed the vegetable garden, Carpenters shed, compost area and tool sheds. THE AUTUMN COLOR GROUPS: Sections 18, 19, 27, 28, and 29 The woodland path comes out onto the Gardener's house parking space and looks across it into a planting of barberries, under a large pine tree. This paantin extends along the gravel parking space towards the potting sheds. A Crateagus Jonesae is planted in this area (named for Mrs. Farrand). There are some dwarf burning bush on the parking space side where the planting ends in a mass of rosa virginiana and bush honeysuckle ahong the potting 8 hed. Two scrub aoks are planted here too Running along the south side of the parking space beyond the potting sheds is still more planting for autumn color. Barberries cork bark burning bush, high and low blueberries, and some Azaleas carry around the curve onto the Atlantic Avenue Exit road just north-west of the G. C. House. Walking toward the house a narrow path which connects house and potting sheds, leads through a hemlock grove well established under the pre teoting red spruces. Aeuropean larch grows to the south of this path and a large planting of wild sarsaprilla fills the ground beyond it. (The hemlooks scatter through Sections 36, 37, 44, and 51. NURSERY AND GARDENR'S COTTAGE: Sections 35, 36, 43 and 51 The nursery beds occupy the west half of Sections 36 with wooden fence enclosure. Here many annuals are grown for Page 11 cutting. Onthe terrace by the Gardener's cottage is a dainty planting of bulbs and annuals. which seems in keeping with h the wooded area about it. The parking space below the terrace wall leads onto the Hancock Entrance drive. At the corner of the former garage is a. new planting of ootoneasters. (Section 43). The road here leads through hemlocks under the red spruces and thus the tour of Reef Point Gardens is completed close by the Hancock Street Entrance gate.