Planting my outdoor terrace at Skylands
Skylands is my beautiful home on the southern coast of Mount Desert Island in the state of Maine. Architect Duncan Chandler worked closely with the great landscape designer and conservationist Jens Jensen to build this magnificent estate for industrialist Edsel Ford during the 1920's. I love the fact that there are vast outdoor terraces and woodland gardens reaching into pristine natural surroundings. Since I became the owner of Skylands, I have worked to restore the gardens, terraces, and woodland to what I think Jens Jenson originally envisioned. I took a trip there recently along with Kevin Sharkey, Hannah Milman, and Stephen Johnson and we had so much fun shopping for plant material and planting the terrace. Please enjoy these springtime photos of Skylands.
It looks very beautiful Martha.
Enjoy it always.
Pam from California
Posted by: Pam From California | May 18th, 2009 at 12:24 am
Martha,
Just want to put it out there: if you ever need a responsible house sitter, well, look no further. I'd even be willing to pick up after Sharkey and Francesca.
Best,
Greta
PS: made the raisin pie you featured on Thursday's(?) Martha. 'Twas divine, like a kicked up mincemeat, except even better.
Posted by: Greta | May 18th, 2009 at 12:49 am
Dear Martha!
The terrace and the view from there is magnificent. Love the combination of plants you selected I would love to see the final result!
Martha, it will be a great honor to come and visit us in the Middle East Lebanon. I am sending you a link that I am sure you will find breathtaking. Please check the link below.
http://www.mount-lebanon.com/web_site_intro/
God Bless you and protect you always.
Rowaida Flayhan
Posted by: Rowaida Flayhan | May 18th, 2009 at 2:28 am
skylands has always been my favourite, probably becauce the scenery and nature. however, i have to ask: some pieces of glass seem to be missing in the wall in the picture with kevin, hannah and steve. what is behind that glass wall? will the missing pieces be replaced?
Posted by: liisamarja | May 18th, 2009 at 3:44 am
Hi Martha, Wow, did you have your work cut out for you and your crew?! The urns alone would be a good days work. By the way, love the urns. Happening upon the reclining nude bronze would be just a tad disconcerting. Although it is a gorgeous sculpture. I have so many questions. Are the fruits produced by your hardy kiwi the same as the ones in the grocery? Also, in regard to your bromeliad, will this stay outdoors? I know it's still quite cool there in Maine, I didn't think bromeliads could take the cold. The idea for the wooden shims under the large urn is a clever way to protect it and the stone base. What a lovely estate you have there. I hope to see pictures of the grounds later in the summer so we can get a look at the plants you put in this weekend! Hope your new plants all thrive!
Posted by: Frances Jackson | May 18th, 2009 at 4:23 am
Nice pix of the garden but........can you show pix of the house itself? Looks beautiful! The views look spectacular.
Regards.
Posted by: Tiffany | May 18th, 2009 at 6:44 am
Hi Frances - Thanks for asking about the kiwi. They are actually actinidia-kiwi and has small smooth skinned fruits - no fuzz - and so good.
Also, any plants that cannot survive the cold, are moved into the greenhouse.
Posted by: Martha Stewart | May 18th, 2009 at 6:44 am
Wow Martha - you look so slim in these photos!! I hope to look as fantastic and natural at the same age!!
Posted by: Chrissy Kroschel | May 18th, 2009 at 6:59 am
I adore the beautiful teak(?) furniture on the terraces. Is it original to the house? I especially love the lattice style chairs and have never seen anything quite like them. Owning a place like Skylands must be a constant inspiration!
Posted by: Wayne M | May 18th, 2009 at 7:09 am
.
Good Morning,
A place after my own heart. I don't feel quite right about that sculpture though. I think she needs rescue and the respect of a warm blanket wrapped around her.
I have a sculpture of such a woman kilned from my old faucets. She, however, is not struggling with the ground, but luxuriating on a camphor wood chest by fireplace!
Please help her to a fig tree and a cup of warm tea!
Son of British Reserve!
.
Posted by: Andrea Spencer | May 18th, 2009 at 8:00 am
Hi Wayne M - Yes, Skylands is always a great source of inspiration. So glad you like the terrace furniture, which is my own design. I commissioned Everett White of Bar Harbor to build it for me.
Posted by: Martha Stewart | May 18th, 2009 at 9:13 am
The sculpture La Riviere, at first look it looks like she fell into place, is she actually sleeping, reclining, fallen ? What a fascinating piece of art.
Posted by: Isabel | May 18th, 2009 at 9:28 am
I think it's wonderful that you are working to preserve the wildlife on your property.
Posted by: Dawn | May 18th, 2009 at 9:58 am
Such a lovely space to work in! I'm completely envious!! I was just "playing in the dirt" yesterday, myself. I think we may have planted some of the same plants. Were those some "Silver Falls" in one of your photos? Such a gorgeous plant! I spotted them at the farmers market this weekend and had to get some! I've been doing container gardening, so I put the Silver Falls in with some Pink Splash and Varigated Lavender. They make a pretty pot...makes me think of dusk.
Anyway, I'm rambling again. Happy gardening!
Posted by: Kim Wylie | May 18th, 2009 at 10:01 am
Hello Martha-
Skylands is such an amazing property! I, too, would love to see additional photos of the historic home and breathtaking sea views. Thanks, as always, for sharing your fabulous life with us!
All the Best,
Amy from Annapolis
Posted by: Amy | May 18th, 2009 at 10:07 am
JUST GORGEOUS, MARTHA!!! Your home in Maine is spectacular and your plantings just enhance its beauty.
Enjoy the fruits of your labor:-)
Warmest regards,
Yvonne Dagger
Long Island, New York
Posted by: Yvonne Dagger | May 18th, 2009 at 10:15 am
Obviously you have "urned" many accolades for this beauty.
Posted by: IowaCowgirl | May 18th, 2009 at 10:17 am
very nice
Posted by: beth | May 18th, 2009 at 10:26 am
Hi Martha,
I looks like ya'll were very busy that weekend in Maine. You did a wonderful job and have given me several ideas of some plantings for around my yard and in my urns.
Just wanted to thank you so much for providing me with some wonderful screen backgrounds for my work computer. It's very refreshing to see such amazing nature/architectural photography, all of which I love.
Have a wonderful week,
Kimberly in N.J.
Posted by: Kim in Jersey | May 18th, 2009 at 10:33 am
Hi Martha,
I hope you had an enjoyable weekend. You said it was raining but hopefully you got some of your perennials planted at the farm.
The plants you chose for Skylands are so beautiful and you have some like I have planted such as elephant ears and the cycads. I had cycads for years and then one year they just dried up on me. Actually, I think the soil washed away from so much rain and I neglected to build it up again. Ha, confession time. Anyway, Skylands is my favorite of all of your houses and you take such great care of it too! That terrace looks so nice in the summer and when you celebrate your birthday with your August birthday friends. I have always enjoyed it when you taped Martha Stewart Living segments there.
One season opened right after Labor Day with you on the back terrace, Paw Paw was lounging around the door and you were planting something in large planters. You had really long hair then. Anyway, because I’m always so anxious when the new season starts, I watched that first show out of Miami an hour earlier by using my attic antenna and then when it was time for it to come on in the West Palm Beach area, they aired the last show from the week before instead, a rerun. I had a FIT of course and wasted no time letting them know of their error. Many messages later they finally got things straightened out but needed to contact your people first. I think it took 3 days before they got on schedule to where the show coincided with the daily recipes on your site. I’m glad you start the new season a little later now!
I think it is a good thing that you might be giving us access on your site to some of those Martha Stewart Living shows and I look forward to hearing the details when you have everything worked out. Thanks! Trish
Posted by: Trish | May 18th, 2009 at 10:36 am
That is the most beautiful garden and Spinx, I have ever seen!!! Straight outta a fantasy!!! U rock
Posted by: Ashley Prince | May 18th, 2009 at 10:57 am
How lovely your plantings are...nice combinations fill your urns. Wonderful that you had some good helpers...it really does make for light work! On that happy note, i will be spending time in my garden 'planting'...now if you could just send some of those gardeners my way...
Posted by: sherey | May 18th, 2009 at 11:27 am
Stunning. Thank you, always, for sharing with us. So appreciated.
Posted by: Natalie | May 18th, 2009 at 11:34 am
Lovely! I hope you'll display updated photos as the summer goes on and the plants develop - I'd like to see the urns and gardens as they fill in. Please include full view pictures of the patio area and front entry, too, I'd like to see how the plantings enhance those large areas. Thanks!
Posted by: Lisa in Kansas | May 18th, 2009 at 11:44 am
It's nice to see the bones of the garden in spring, before all the plants grow up and it all looks picture perfect. Beautiful urns and pots as well.
Posted by: sophie | May 18th, 2009 at 1:08 pm
it looks beautiful.
Posted by: beth | May 18th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
Hi Martha:
I threw a party for my parents' 50th anniversary yesterday.Everything was a success,
specially that recipe I took from your Living Magazine....the cookies with the filling of cream cheese, sugar, lemon and vanilla!
D e l i c i o u s !!! and soooo E a s y !!!
Thanks !
Virginia
Posted by: Virginia | May 18th, 2009 at 1:31 pm
Such a lovely variety of plants and lots of inspiration. I didn't know that kiwi would grow in New England. We had frost in New Hampshire last night; I hope your plants were spared.
Posted by: Andrea Q | May 18th, 2009 at 2:10 pm
Dear Martha..
i am a big fun of yours and I am a follower of your products, I just wanted to drop a thought. If you are ever interested in visiting the Galapagos Islands with your family, please let me know, I will be more than happy to organize this trip for you with my travel companies.
Warmly.
Jorge.
Posted by: Jorge | May 18th, 2009 at 2:52 pm
We need a good word from u. IT WOULD MEAN SO VERY MUCH. P.S. VERY BEAUTYFUL PHOTOS!
Posted by: r bruno | May 18th, 2009 at 4:19 pm
Martha,
Thank you for showing the beautiful plants from Home Depot. It's nice to see you mix them in with other beauties from your green house and property. I love it when use an everyday source for your own living space. The results are always inspiring.
Posted by: Chad | May 18th, 2009 at 4:24 pm
Love that you share photos of your work sessions. Looks like you assembled a great work crew. You probably always have projects to do if I know you Martha.
Lucky me, I spent the weekend in Ashville, NC. We went to the Biltmore and Park Grove Inn. I love it. And it is spring here--at home in WNY they're wearing mittens.
Thanks, Martha and Laura--I love the blog.
Posted by: Cathybytheriver | May 18th, 2009 at 5:11 pm
Martha
Thank you for sharing these photos and what work goes into Skylands. Including your staff is so nice too.
Looking at these photos I had fun dreaming about what it would be like to have a party here!
Hope you have a wonderful summer in Maine!
Leigh
Dover NH
Posted by: Leigh | May 18th, 2009 at 5:47 pm
Martha it must be driving you crazy this weather It's been to cold. Hope your flowers do fine in this unpredictable climate. Take Care Kris.
Posted by: kristin svens | May 18th, 2009 at 5:54 pm
Oh Martha, it all looks to wonderfull. But, i didn't see any edible plantings. You of all people must have some cool weather herbs planted and some salad greens.
Love ya dear
Abraham
Posted by: Abraham | May 18th, 2009 at 6:16 pm
What a wonderful place that must be to live. You not only have impeccable taste, you are a strong,independant lady. You inspire others and you can relate to the working class. Great Job!!
Dee Arrowood
Posted by: Dee Arrowood | May 18th, 2009 at 7:55 pm
Just lovely - I am in complete utterly bewildered by such enchanting scenic beauty.
Posted by: Norbie Las Vegas | May 18th, 2009 at 9:27 pm
Hi Martha, I just love your blogs about your magnificent home in Maine. Skylands is not only beautiful, but looks like a fabulous resort that would be so much fun to visit any time of the year. You sure had a great group there to help with the spring planting and it looks like you got a lot accomplished. I love all of the beautiful urns, especially the one in photo #34. Looks like the weather was nice, but cool. Perfect for planting. Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | May 19th, 2009 at 1:03 am
I just love your beautiful home in Maine. The gardens are gorgeous. The statue of the nude lady reclining is unusual. I love all the plants and urns. The view of the bay is gorgeous.
Thanks for taking us on a tour of Skylands.
Linda
Phila., PA
Posted by: Linda | May 19th, 2009 at 8:28 am
I love the big stone planter with the hens and chicks! My grandmother had a stone planter full of hens and chicks, and seeing yours brought back pleasant memories!
Posted by: Anita | May 19th, 2009 at 9:53 am
Your picture of Skylands made me want to move in! What a beautiful home. I would never want to leave. And the history! I wonder who's idea it was to put that naked lady in the garden..hmmm, very interesting.....thanks Martha for sharing your beautiful home.
Sue Morelli
Posted by: Suzanne Morelli | May 19th, 2009 at 12:40 pm
Acadia National Park, located on Mount Desert Island, is my very favorite vacation spot. I've been there 9 times and each and every time it takes my breath away. Martha, you have very good taste indeed.
Posted by: Michelle | May 19th, 2009 at 2:05 pm
I'm a big fan. You are a role model for me - how you live your life, and what you do as a successful business women. Thank you.
Posted by: Joann Farrar | May 19th, 2009 at 3:31 pm
Hi Martha!
Another beautiful property, I especially love those teak chairs that your designed. Please post photos of the house interiors!
Best Regards,
Lorna
P.S. Whenever I open the Splash page to the Daily Wag, my dogs go crazy and run around and bark, trying to find Sharkey and Francesca!
Posted by: Lorna | May 19th, 2009 at 9:28 pm
Love love love the terrace gardens...the old world feel of the stones, as well as the sculptural feel of the plants you have choosen. All gives the impression of a vey old, established estate garden such as would be seen in a Jane Austen novel.
And I love the stark contrast these gardens have to the colonial formality of a garden such as from Turkey Hill or Bedford.
Just gorgeous job everyone.
Posted by: Penny Otte | May 20th, 2009 at 7:04 am
Dear Martha,
Thank you for answering my question. I should have known it was your own creation! Wonderful job on the furniture.
--Wayne M.
Posted by: Wayne M | May 20th, 2009 at 7:26 am
i am a fan of yours and I am a follower of your products
Posted by: tee | May 20th, 2009 at 8:37 am
Your home looks very mysterious and the plants accentuate that feature. Very nice for a trendy outdoor party. I would love to see more pictures of your Skyland garden when the plants have matured. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: BestPartyEver.com | May 21st, 2009 at 2:32 pm
Steven is HOT.
Posted by: Dan | May 22nd, 2009 at 2:59 pm
Thanks for sharing such a beautiful place, and delightful array of planters to complete this planning.
I plan on using about (3) planters to the right of my porch and sidewalk....very soon. I have to plant shaded plants inside these.
Posted by: Norma J. Scott | May 22nd, 2009 at 3:05 pm
Dear Martha!
It's really a most beautiful garden.
It is very well decorated. I love it.
Take Care
Bishan from Dubai
Posted by: Bishan Chakraborty | May 23rd, 2009 at 7:02 am
Hi Martha, I love your use of cycads, and your choice of urns. The urns bring such unique shapes to the garden, even when sited without plants.
I have a question about the cycads. Do you over-winter them in a greenhouse, or do you treat them like a houseplant that needs to be gradually re-introduced to the indoor climate near the end of summer? Or do you just treat them like an annual?
I live on Vancouver Island in southwestern British Columbia, Canada so we share a seaside climate although we're a little warmer in the winter here than in Maine. I have cycads indoors but hadn't thought of using them outdoors.
I well recall the profile of Skylands in Martha Stewart Living a few years ago. It was stunning, and left an indelible image with me, the grounds of course, but especially the scale and wildness of the interior rooms. It seems a magical place.
Lois
Posted by: Lois Sampson | May 26th, 2009 at 12:10 am