Paese Legato

As the Garden Grows,
so grows the Gardener... As the Garden grows,
so grows the Gardener...

Paese Legato means a place of continuity and smoothness.

It is the name of our home, originally built and landscaped by the Pizzi family. They chose the setting of the Historic Yellow Springs neighborhood of Chester Springs, Pennsylvania because of its view, lush landscape and history. During the last several years, it has been an honor to live here with my husband Skip Pizzi, and to care for the home and gardens established by his parents. Much of the

landscaping includes specimen plants that they propagated or even grew from seed. Some members of the extended family had been professional landscapers who operated a successful nursery and landscaping business for many years. Today our gardens feature native flowers and plants as well as those cultivated over generations. While they were living, I tried to learn everything possible from the family about caring for the grounds, plant cultivation, and the many natural gardening systems that they developed for the land and the property’s greenhouse. They had always composted and used mostly organic gardening methods. Their knowledge and consistent care is revealed in the quality of plant material, the careful use and replenishing of natural resources, and the native habitat provided for the area’s wildlife. Paese Legato’s peaceful atmosphere has been a perfect setting for entertaining family and friends. During the few years of caring for this place, my motto has been “As the garden grows, so grows the gardener.” Through the experience of tending to the gardens, home and wildlife, I have learned much. There is an inherent balance that is ever changing. Each day is filled with new discoveries and creative challenges. This motto also applies to interaction within the community. Paese Legato is nested within the Historic Yellow Springs village. This is an active, creative community that hosts art, music, gardening, social and historic events. The original historic buildings of Yellow Springs have been preserved and the gardens renovated. The history and unique provenance of this place is kept alive through these activities, along with historical documentation, and educational events. As the Yellow Springs community grows while keeping its historic roots intact, so do the individuals that comprise it. Locals and visitors alike enjoy the many cultural activities and events that take place here. This Facebook site is about home, community, quality of life and their synergy. It is about the inherent balance of nature and place, and caring for the environment. It is about creativity, communication and interdependence. It is about preserving the original character and history of a place, and continuing to tell its contemporary story.

22/04/2024

22/04/2024

Celebrating Earth Day 🌏 every day with a few photos from our garden! 🌿

20/04/2024

If you are looking for new Iris, Schreiner's Gardens is a great place to purchase them from. I ordered a number of new bulbs from them last year and am looking forward to seeing the blossoms this season. They had great customer service, the bulbs look very healthy and they have an amazing selection to choose from. Will post photos this year when they bloom. I appreciate the many shades and hues of these flowers. They are great painting subjects too!

More than 500 Iris Colors Available! Growing Iris since 1925

18/04/2024

An inspiring garden, Maple Glen, in New Zealand. The colors and rhythm of forms are exquisite!

16/04/2024

Very interesting article about Seed Banking by Jessica Turner-Skoff, Ph.D. and Peter Zale, Ph.D. from Longwood Gardens.

Seed Banking on the Future With our recent award of a competitive grant from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources as part of the Wild Resource Conservation Program, we are thrilled to be able to grow our efforts in preserving more species of conservation concern through the expansion of our seed bank.

14/04/2024

Beautiful Dwarf iris!

14/04/2024

Beech Leaf Disease is Coming Your Way | Brandywine Conservancy and Museum of Art Beech Leaf Disease—caused by an emergent species of microscopic nematode—is wreaking havoc on beech (Fagus spp.) trees, which are ecologically and aesthetically important trees across the eastern US and Canada. In the blog below, Brandywine’s Penguin Court Program Manager, Melissa Reckner, sha...

14/04/2024

Anemone, dogwood and magnolia in blossom.

14/04/2024

Oil painting study of bloodroot in bloom.

12/04/2024

This is some helpful information about growing Erythoniums from CollectorsNursery.com. We have some naturally growing throughout the forest. They are very beautiful and have a delicate quality about the blossom, adding a sweet atmosphere under the tall trees.

Erythroniums Considered by many to be the most beautiful, and of the easiest culture in most gardens, are the lowland species (or hybrids of them) that come from the west side of the Cascade Mountains - E. oreganum, E. revolutum and from S.W Oregon, the loveliest of all, (some say) E. hendersonii, and from farth...

28/03/2024

Recently visited Longwood Gardens to celebrate the birthday of a friend and I fell in love with these flowers. Take a look at the exquisite tones and lyrical shapes of the Double Early Tulip called 'Foxtrot.' They are shorter than most tulips enabling them to withstand a snowfall in their early blooming season. They also work beautifully, as shown here, potted alongside other tropical foilage. I think the muted bluegreens are stunning against the soft pinks of the tulips. Bravo Longwood Gardens!

18/03/2024

I picked hellebores blossoms and floated them in a vase to enjoy their amazing colors and designs more closely. To fill the surface, I picked some smaller flowers but probably best to pick the fully formed flowers to see their true beauty. Always learning.

18/03/2024

If you are looking for irises, take a look at Schreiner's Gardens located in Oregon. I purchased several new varieties last year. They are planted and I am looking forward to seeing their blooms this year. They are wonderful subjects for floral paintings.

Cruise Sips A favorite in our seedling fields from its very first bloom, Cruise Sips has long been destined for the status of a cover girl. Opening with a richly saturated blend of tropical punch inspired pinks and purples, Cruise Sips slowly fades to a softer pastel as the open flower ages. Packed with 11 buds...

18/03/2024

I really like the hellebores from Pine Knot Farms Hellebores and have placed an order. Can hardly wait until they arrive. They have a great website with lots of information about hellebores and have even written a book about hellebores that looks informative with beautiful photography of the plants.

The final day of our 2024 Hellebore Festival is here! We look forward to seeing everyone who plans on coming out to the nursery today!
After 4pm today we will be closed to visitors until our Fall Open House in October (details coming soon).
We will be traveling to a few sales this Spring. Richmond, Alexandria, and Abingdon Virginia are on the list along with Raleigh, NC and perhaps one or two more places. Details for each of these sales will be listed on our website soon.

18/03/2024

Look at these amazing hellebores from Ashwood Nurseries, Gift Shop and Tea Room in England. They are leaders in propogation of hellebores.

Our amazing double neon shades from our Helleborus Ashwood Evolution Hybrids and just as gorgeous on the outside as on the inside! Our hybridiser has selected them for their long lasting colour retention that keeps them looking vibrant with their striking veining and beautiful shapes. We don’t ask for much from our hellebores!

Pacific Horticulture | Not Your Mother's Hellebores: A New Look at Species and Hybrids (Part 2)

15/03/2024

These are some beautiful Hellebores!

Pacific Horticulture | Not Your Mother's Hellebores: A New Look at Species and Hybrids (Part 2) Selections from interspecific and intersectional hellebore crosses are widely available in a range of sizes, leaf shapes, and flower colors, thanks to the miracle of tissue culture. Delicate wild species are at last available from both wild collected and garden seed, further expanding the breadth of...

15/03/2024

I love hellebores and have found great inspiration from a local master gardener David L. Culp. He not only grows hellebores but has propogated his own collection known as "Brandywine Hybrid" hellebores. Here are a few photos from our garden. What are your favorite hellebores?

15/03/2024

What an elegant garden design by Piet Oudolf! Shared by CarexTours:Carolyn Mullet. Thanks!

:Carolyn Mullet

Scampston Hall--An early example of Piet Oudolf's sensual work in the UK. One of 13 gardens on the itinerary for my "Yorkshire & Lake District Gardens in Full Bloom" tour in July.

We'll also visit Lowther Castle (Dan Pearson), Gresgarth Hall (Arabella Lennox-Boyd), and Hepworth Wakefield (Tom Stuart-Smith) while enjoying this beautifully scenic part of England.

Check out the itinerary, hotels, & prices on the CarexTours website: https://www.carexdesign.com/.
Then message me for a Reservation Form.