Fort Ticonderoga’s King’s Garden Begins Season with New Event

Poppies and birdbath in Fort Ticonderoga’s King’s Garden. (Photo courtesy of Fort Ticonderoga.) — Poppies and birdbath in King’s Garden. (Photo courtesy of Fort Ticonderoga.)

Friendship & Flowers Program Set for May 17th

Fort Ticonderoga’s King’s Garden will present a new spring event “Friendship & Flowers” on May 17, 2014. This exclusive pre-season event for gardeners and their friends in the King’s Garden offers continental breakfast, a horticultural talk, giveaways, a garden tour, and of course – plants to take home! Attendees will get a first look at the garden which opens to the public on May 24.

“Early season blooms of lilac, crabapple, columbine and forget-me-not will tempt your senses,” said Heidi Karkoski, Fort Ticonderoga’s Director of Horticulture. “Learn about plans for the season and what new annuals and perennials will be added to our designs.”

The program will also include a presentation by Master Gardener Diane O’Connor on the “Language of Flowers,” highlighting the Victorian tradition of florigraphy – using flowers to send covert messages. In addition, Karkoski will lead a special tour of the formal garden and the Discovery Gardens where she will highlight new elements in the garden this season including new theme areas and design concepts.

The Friendship & Flowers event takes place from 9:30 am – 12 pm on Saturday, May 17. Participants will enjoy a continental breakfast and take home a selection of plants from the King’s Garden and local growers. Goodie bags will be included for all guests and door prizes will add to the excitement of the day.

Tickets are $20 and are limited to just fifty guests. Advance reservations are required. Phone (518) 585-2821 or email nancy@fort-ticonderoga.org for details.

About the King’s Garden

The walled colonial revival King’s Garden was originally designed in 1921 by leading landscape architect Marian Coffin. The formal elements – a reflecting pool, manicured lawn and hedges, and brick walls and walkways – are softened by a profusion of annuals and perennials, carefully arranged by color and form. Heirloom flowers and modern cultivars are used to recreate the historic planting scheme. Guest’s favorites include the lavender border, towering hollyhocks, bearded irises, dinner plate dahlias and many types of phlox.

Outside of the nine-foot brick walls of the colonial revival King’s Garden, the Discovery Gardens include a children’s garden, an interactive 18th –century French Garrison Garden, and Three Sisters Garden. The restored Lord and Burnham greenhouse, charming gazebo, sweeping lawns and shady picnic spots invite visitors to explore the landscape at one of America’s oldest gardens dating to the French occupation of the Fort in the mid-18th century.

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About Fort Ticonderoga

Located on Lake Champlain in the beautiful 6 million acre Adirondack Park, Fort Ticonderoga is a not-for-profit historic site and museum that ensures that present and future generations learn from the struggles, sacrifices, and victories that shaped the nations of North America and changed world history.

Visit www.FortTiconderoga.org or call 518-585-2821 for a full list of ongoing programs, admission prices, and current hours. Fort Ticonderoga is located at 100 Fort Ti Road, Ticonderoga, New York.