Ringing Bell’s Woodland at Chanticleer Garden
The most secret part of Chanticleer is the entrance to Bell’s Woodland, set off beyond the colorful cutting garden (coming up in my next post). The plant list for it is tucked inside a metal sculpture of a hornet’s nest hanging from a tree — worthy of a double-take before reaching for it, every time. So creative!
This is Part 9 of my visit to Chanticleer during the Philadelphia Area Fling last September.
You enter this garden through an Alice-in-Wonderland experience of being shrunk down to rabbit size, by passing through a giant fallen tree trunk. It’s manmade but wonderfully lifelike. Planting pockets along the sides and top create the effect of nature colonizing the fallen tree.
The light in the woodland garden was so contrasty that I didn’t get many good pictures. But I have to share this bench hidden behind a vine-smothered trellis, where a woman was peacefully sitting and looking at the creek.
I love how Chanticleer sets up these little sitting opportunities, like this Adirondack perched at the end of a narrow bridge along the creek. A woodland throne.
A conversation spot appears where the path widens into a circular stone patio with a large bowl of water in the center.
The water reflects the trees like a dark mirror.
From there, the path leads over meandering Bell’s Creek and into a more open garden of dappled sun.
A round pond with a frog fountain makes a focal point along the way.
Lavender flowers were showy in a sunken garden.
A closeup
View of the stone-bordered creek from under a pine bough
In another wooded area at the far end of Bell’s Creek, you enter a striking path of slate roofing tiles (I think) laid on edge.
I’ve always admired this intimate spiral patio along the slate path.
A starburst of slate and stone is inset into the path as it segues to stepping stones along the creek.
Utterly charming and harmonious with the ferny woodland.
A wider view
And one more. I love it!
Up next: Flowers, vegetables, and a party in the Cutting and Vegetable Garden at Chanticleer. For a look back at Chanticleer’s mysterious Ruin Garden, click here:
To read about my past visits to Bell’s Woodland and Bell’s Creek at Chanticleer, follow these links:
- Creative paths and cutting garden glory at Chanticleer, October 2021
- Chanticleer’s Flower and Vegetable Garden and magical Bell’s Woodland, June 2016
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Digging Deeper
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I like the way they make the paths not so wide. You have to slow down to enjoy the surrounds.
And there’s lots to enjoy along every path.
I love how each garden area has it’s own personality. Would be lovely to be able to have that much water in the garden. It brings such a sense of peace. Unfortunately, not practicle in my semi desert area.
Are you familiar with Christy Ten Eyck’s “brimming bowl” concept for desert gardens? It creates the illusion of abundance without using much water, perfect for a dry climate.
Such an imaginative garden. I love that it doesn’t hit you over the head with “cute” touches but rather inspires wonder at every turn.
It’s a place of discovery and wonder throughout.
It looks very peaceful. Someday I will make it up to see Chanticleer!
Put it at the top of your list!