Hi Lonnie! The same man has been doing it for years and he does it without any guides such as string. I don't know how he does it! Thanks for watching/commenting! -Mark
Thanks Mike! Yes, Holly loves having all this space to run. The other night while walking through the formal garden with her, she took off and ran down and jumped right in the river for a swim! She loves to swim. Mike, thanks for watching and commenting too! Best, -Mark
Like oh my god! Is this place for real! I’ve watched three videos of this channel and each time I’ve been awestruck! Here’s this mild mannered, good looking guy wearing a tank top and flip flops surrounded by this beautiful piece of property that looks like, I dunno somewhere Oprah would live! Hahaha. And he has a dog! Which I like very much! She’s a cutie! No foot biting Holly!
DUDE!! Everything you touch turns out to be PERFECTION!! Shear PERFECTION. And yes, you are a super generous friend to allow your friends wedding to be there. I could only wish for a friend like you are.
Wow, what a spectacular garden! You did a fantastic display on that mound! The butterfly bush in the middle of the urn is pure genius! Back when I had a house and small property(1/4 acre) I had several gardens in the backyard. It took 27 flats of flowers to plant for my friends wedding( no reception), I hosted! I built two arbors and had clematis climbing on them. I can't get over how beautiful your formal gardens are! Thank you for sharing your videos! Looking forward to seeing more! Holly is quite the beauty as well! Laughed at her haming it up next to you, while you were speaking! What a beautiful moment!
Wow her great grandparents were married there 105years ago. 😇 That's so cool she was able to do the same. I'm sure it meant the world to her. You did a beautiful job with the flowers and formal garden.
Hi HC! I do as well. Formal should have very clean lines and not be to busy or overdone. I'm glad you liked it! Thanks for watching/commenting! Best, -Mark
Hi Joyce! Yes, you are so right. I pinch myself every once in a while! lol It's really pretty on a bright moonlit night too! Thanks for watching/commenting too! Take care, -Mark
Hi Joanie! The dogs and I walk through it every day on the way to the river and I have to say, that feeling you get walking through it never goes away. There are many other formal gardens, a 600 foot long allee of white Crepe Myrtles, and a large Japanese Garden, and a sunken garden in the plans. Right now, we are still working and trying to "polish" the plans so that everything is perfect and transitions well from one garden to the next and also fits well with the 160 year old main house. I also want the gardens to be able to age well for decades and that takes a lot of thought and planning as well. This early September, forty some 15 foot tall large hollies are being installed on a hillside above where a lake is going to be installed which is the start of another major landscape project. Several thousand Azaleas, Rhododendrons, southern Magnolias and Dogwoods are going to be installed with the holly so the water in the lake will reflect all the flowering trees and shrubs while in bloom which you will be able to see from the house. It's fun creating things that will be here 100 years from now! Joanie, thanks for watching/commenting! Best, Mark
That's amazing - all the butterflies are really cool - glad your event was a big success - it's a massive amount of work to pull off an outside wedding - it's a fantastic garden
Hi Terry! The only thing I had to do is a few improvements of the garden, so I didn't have anything to do with all the other stuff like food, etc. It did look like a horrible amount of work and they had it really planned out well because everything was flawless and really, very elegant. Thanks for watching/commenting! -Mark
Hi! Thank you! I think all the guest enjoyed it very much with the river right below the formal garden. We put tiki torches along the banks of the river all the way up to the beach and it really was pretty that night. Thanks for watching! -Mark
Great Job! The scale of that space is impressive. I've hosted weddings here at my farm but lately I've said no. It's too damn much work. And I'm afraid some smoker will burn my barn down!
Hi Mike! Thanks Mike! This was a first for having that many people here for anything and actually it went over really well. I know what you mean though about it being a lot of work! Thanks for watching! -Mark
WOW!! Its Breathtaking....so Beautiful. Who wouldn't want their Marriage and/or Reception there. Thank you Mark. I love all kinds of gardens but I REALLY think a well manicured formal Garden is Magnificent. Awesome!!
Hi June! Thank you! When it was designed, it had to be something that was in keeping with the big old brick home that overlooks it and the surrounding area. That's my view from the house and I really enjoy it year around being that everything is evergreen. Thanks for watching/commenting! Best, -Mark
Totally beautiful gardens and very fortunate friends to be able to use it. I enjoyed seeing the perspective of how your garden relates to the house as a complete package. Thank you!
Hi David! Your very welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed. The gardens fit well with the house which was built in 1861 and is large brick structure with slate roofs and is formal in it's appearance. It all makes a great fit. Wait to you see what is being added as far as gardens. Very interesting. David, thanks for watching/commenting! I appreciate it! -Mark
Hi Roy, Thank you! The house sits above it and I really enjoy having that view in the picture from the house. Nice thing to start the morning with every day! Thanks for watching! Best, -Mark
Hi Forrest! Many thanks! Glad you are enjoying them. They should get better as I spend more time getting the experience from making them. Thanks for watching! -Mark
Absolutely LOVE formal gardens! The artistry and skill is truly awe inspiring. Combine that with an informal meandering path that leads to an English country garden then a veg garden and I’m in heaven! Looks amazing.
Hi Tina! Thanks! Good landscape design is a art form with a very fine balance that if not achieved, can make the difference between something that is OK and something that is exceptional. Thanks for watching/commenting! -Mark
Great vid! That must have been a great experience for all those involved. Very unique and what a stunning setting. What a blessing to have that as a wedding venue. Lots of hard work, but great result. Thank you for posting... :-)
Hi Stephen! The wedding....They really did a beautiful job. A big beautiful tent set with white tables and white linens with china and lots of good food and drink. I had to laugh though. I was of course invited and the only ones who knew me or what I looked like anyway were the bride and groom and the brides parents. As I was walking around, I overheard a conversation of a group of people saying it reminded them of the movie "The Great Gatsby". A single mysterious man who lived in a big house overlooking the gardens. lol Stephen, you have a great weekend! Best, -Mark
@@marksgardenlife5971 - Mark, I don't think you can get a better setting than that! I bet it was beautiful and I am sure you were very proud of the outcome. *chuckle* - people are funny and have vivid imaginations!! Yeah, very amusing indeed. But, if you do indeed wake up to that particular view every morning, that is rather priceless. Probably the Formal Garden is a constant WIP to keep it that way - could lose myself in that, and would be quite happy! lol Have a great weekend! Take care. - S
Oh thank God,.it was someone else’s wedding. I about had a panic attack. “Wait, what?? Wedding??”. I was worried someone else had beat me to a proposal! LOL. 🤣.
I'm sure it is very good way to start the day seeing something that beautiful. Your vegetable garden is so nice as well so neatly laid out. Enjoy watching your videos always.
Hi Bryan! Actually my favorite thing is seeing the dogs every morning when I wake up, but the garden is nice to see every time I am up at the house which looks down on it. Thank you! I'm glad you like watching them and I appreciate you watching them and commenting as well! Take care, -Mark
Good afternoon Mark 😊 how impressive is this,without any shadow of dought this venue is definitely fit for royalty....oh my word soooo beautiful.And the trees stood so proudly they are fantastic, must take some looking after keeping them in shape.Great job Mark 👏👏👏🏆All the very best 🌱🌱🌱💕🇬🇧
Hi Joyce! Glad you enjoyed! It does take some work, but most of it is this time of year when they have to trim the huge hollies and that's a job. We have a 40' lift here which makes it possible to keep them trimmed since they are so tall. -Mark
WOW!! that is some set up you have there. I couldn't imagine a better place to have a wedding reception., Congratulations!! the hedges and topiaries are superb.☮🏳🌈
Hi Peter! The house looks down on it and I have that view several times a day, so I enjoy the view very much. I'm glad you enjoyed. Thanks for watching/commenting! Best, -Mark
Hi Kim! Thank you! It's a little maintenance, but it's worth it. The hedges in the foreground get trimmed 3 times a year which takes a full day for one man, the huge Nellie Stevens once a year which takes approx. 1 week for 2 men to trim them off a 40' cherry picker style lift and the Emerald Green Arborvitae get trimmed every other year and the guys take ladders and clean all the dead fallen foliage which tends to collect in piles within the branches and if you don't remove them you will get dead spots on the tree and that's every year and takes a man approx. 1 1/2 weeks to accomplish that. All pretty things require maintenance! Thanks for watching/commenting! Best, -Mark
@@marksgardenlife5971 I have Emerald green lining our property and one section that is repeatedly replaced either struggle with spider-mites or water run-off issues from a neighbor. Do you have any issues with pests for your arborvitae?
Hi Kim! The only problem that they have had in the past is bag worms and we sprayed them and eliminated the issue. And of course the issue I already mentioned about keeping the dead foliage cleaned from the interior area of the tree. Of course, you can spray for spider mites as well. Do you live in a dry climate? Typically spider mites only become an issue during very dry periods. They will do extensive damage if not treated though, so keep a eye on them especially during very hot, dry periods. Best, -Mark
@@marksgardenlife5971 I live in a very humid environment in So Md. I definitely haven’t cleaned the dead foliage from the interior. Any recommendations for easiest way to do that?
Hi Kim! I wish there was. We have tried using gas powered blowers, but it seems they miss areas when doing it that way, so they continue to do it by hand. Best, -Mark
Hi CP! Thank you so much! I like doing a little of this, little of that type thing. I used to be in the construction business, so I like building things as well. Thanks for watching/commenting! -Mark
Hey Mark! What a beautiful garden you have there, i love how much space there is, a lot of penitential. The butterfly bush is so beautiful i recently planted one here and its the first as well and cant wait for it to flower. The statues are very nice and i love those urns they turned out so good with all those flowers especially the butterfly bush. And the garden bed turn out so colorful. I think its a beautiful place to have a function like weddings and other functions. Thank you for the little tour of that part of the garden. We are going into our 5th lockdown tonight for about 5 days unfortunately so il be in the garden this weekend to past the time and re watch your videos 😁 and congratulations on hitting over 4k subscribers 🥳 Gabriel
Hi Josep! Wow! Thank you! The garden.....glad you like it. And yes, it is really peaceful. Visitors....I may at some future point have some open house days where guest can walk around the gardens, but a few years away. Thanks for watching/commenting! You have a great week! Best, -Mark
Hi Tracey! The garden was put installed in 2001. But the trees were large when installed also. The area where the garden is located was actually raised 4 feet because there was concern if the river flooded, so would the garden than and it hasn't flooded yet in 20 years. It is sort of a take on a formal English Garden. Color.....better than black? Tracey, thanks for watching/commenting! -Mark
@@marksgardenlife5971 yes you can definitely see the English formal influence. I'm super curious as to why you put it in. The scale is massive. Is it on the nursery property? The statuary looks old. Anyway, yes, the color is better than black, but black works too. I don't know what color your eyes are, but I always recommend blue for people with blue eyes when I photograph them. It reflects blue light up into the eyes. At any rate, it goes with your skin tone and hair color. Glad you had a good weekend.
Actually, I didn't put it in. I was just a young kid when that garden was put in, in 2001. Yes, the garden sits below the main house on the farm. The statuary is bronze and I don't think it's antique, but probably 40 or 50 years old and so heavy, it has to be moved around by large equipment. Bronze is extremely heavy! I have very clear med. blue eyes. I was very light blond as a kid, but as I've gotten older, it's darkened a great deal.
@@marksgardenlife5971 sorry didn't see this when it came across. Wow, just a kid. I'm showing my age I guess. Who designed it and why? Is it your family's property? Is there a reason you decided not to promote the nursery by name in your videos? Don't know why, but I'm just super curious. It's not like I'm a potential customer, unless you start selling seeds:) It's just a story that intrigues me. I suppose that is why we follow people's channels. It's not just the information. It's the stories. And their pets too! I love people's cats and dogs. Do you ever watch The Gardening Channel with James Prigioni? His dog Tuck is irresistible! Also, I never took down your email when you gave it and my notifications don't go that far back.
Those are the largest Emerald Green arborvitae that I have ever seen! I really love the design. What variety of holly is used for the section with the urns? Also, how far apart are your Nellie Stevens hollies? The spacing between the all evergreens really gives you an open feel as well as the privacy you’d want. Thank you in advance!
Hi Makayla! Pretty name! The holly...I'll have to ask the horticulturalist here on the farm. He would remember since he was here when they were installed 20 years ago. I was just a young kid. The Nellies.....I'll measure that today. Those are much larger than you think. They use a lift to trim them every year. It takes a week to just trim the Nellies with 2 men. The hedges get trimmed 3 times a year and the Emerald Green every 2 to 3 years. The gardeners actually get on ladders once a year and hand clean all the dead pieces that tend to pocket in Arborvitae every year and you will get dead spots in the trees if you don't keep them cleaned out. I like the spacing also. At the far end of the garden, a large space was left to build a large arbor. I think we will do a copy of the one at Brooklyn Botanical Garden in the rose garden. I found a brick pattern I liked for the floor at an old estate in VA. using brick and bluestone together. You will probably like some of the new formal gardens in the works. Were going to install a 500 foot allee with white Crepe Myrtle coming up. That is a copy of the one at the Texas Botanical Garden. The Crepe Myrtle will be allowed to grow together to create a "tunnel" effect. Google that if interested. I'll get back with you today about the holly variety and the spacing of the Nellies. I know they choose a holly variety instead of boxwood because he said it would be much tougher and less issues. He was right because it's been problem free. It's wonderful having someone so extremely knowledgeable around. He used to work at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Scotland and is just incredible as far as being a wealth of plant knowledge. Sorry for the long response. I thought you may like to be aware of the maintenance issues if you were thinking of installing something like that. Best, -Mark
@@marksgardenlife5971 Hi Mark, I appreciate that! The Nellies do look very large. The allee sounds amazing! What variety of Crape Myrtle, Natchez? I’ve been converting my 36 acres of soybeans into my garden rooms over the last year. I put in almost 200 trees so far, as well as a rose & vegetable garden. Great tip on the arborvitae, I have a Green Giant hedge and it’s been some maintenance with a few bag worms this season. Nothing yet compares to the maintenance of a rose garden though, haha. It sounds like you have some expert help over there and some exciting projects as well, are you recording those as well?
Hi Mark where in MD are you located? I'm in Newark delaware. I really enjoy the info you share. I have a very small garden. About 6 x 8 foot. But your info has helped alot. I'd love to come see your garden if possible. Thanks.
Hi Debbie! Forest Hill, MD I'm a 1 hr. drive from Newark. I cut up through that way to head to 95 sometimes. Beautiful college! I'm glad to hear you're enjoying the channel. Visit...Sure, just email a few days ahead to my website Marksgardenlife.com to make sure I am going to be around. Best, -Mark
The conifer trees that have branches cover the bottom look good. I noticed they are Nellie Stevens Holly. You made it to the top shapes, Nellie Stevens are common hollies here in Oklahoma none of them looks good like yours.
Hi! I like Nellie Stevens a lot because they are a incredibly tough Holly and are very conducive for keeping trimmed into formal hedges, individual shaped trees such as those in the formal garden. Those get trimmed hard once a year in July and it doesn't bother them one bit and of course that's why they are branched so heavily. Thanks for watching/commenting! -Mark
Hi Sue Ann! Welcome to the channel! Thank you! The 4K thank you to subscribers. Holly and I were taking advantage of a hot day when the cameraman came looking for me to tell me we had to shoot a video about reaching 4K, so we did it right there. lol Nothing like a on the spot video! Hope you enjoyed it. Best, -Mark
Mark, Beautiful formal garden. Do you fire up the cherry picker to trim those conical hollies? Perched atop ladders would scare the hell out of me. I've found the perfect garden statue for your lake project. Search 'Whitby Borghese Gladiator' - it looks majestic in the flesh so to speak. Quite a landmark by an ancient British abbey and quite possibly a new 'old' one in your back yard too. Children stand below and copy his warrior sword-toting pose holding their plastic beach spades aloft. If only money were no object! I'd relish the whole process from foundry visit to setting on plinth. My construction background is responsible for my enjoyment of hard landscaping among the planting.
Good morning! Thank you! Yes, they have to be trimmed from the lift. The statue.....lol, That looks like me nude! Well almost of all of it! That is really nice though. What aspect of construction? I used to be in construction. I think hardscapes just add a lot to plantings. Thanks for watching! Have a great day! All my best, -Mark
Hey! lol You are sure right about that! They didn't serve hard liquor and I'm sure that helped a great deal with having no problems. Thanks for watching/commenting! -Mark
Impressive formal garden - the trimming of the Japanese hollies is impeccable.
Hi Lonnie!
The same man has been doing it for years and he does it without any guides such as string. I don't know how he does it! Thanks for watching/commenting!
-Mark
The grounds are so beautiful. I think Holly agrees.
Thanks Mike! Yes, Holly loves having all this space to run. The other night while walking through the formal garden with her, she took off and ran down and jumped right in the river for a swim! She loves to swim. Mike, thanks for watching and commenting too!
Best, -Mark
Man oh man your garden is amazing.
Hi Guy!
Thank you! It's nice to look at from up at the house. Thanks for watching!
-Mark
Like oh my god! Is this place for real! I’ve watched three videos of this channel and each time I’ve been awestruck! Here’s this mild mannered, good looking guy wearing a tank top and flip flops surrounded by this beautiful piece of property that looks like, I dunno somewhere Oprah would live! Hahaha. And he has a dog! Which I like very much! She’s a cutie! No foot biting Holly!
Wow… Was not expect to see this formal garden on the farm….thanks for sharing that side of the farm.
Hi Kelly!
My pleasure! Thanks for watching/commenting too!
Happy Gardening!
-Mark
DUDE!! Everything you touch turns out to be PERFECTION!! Shear PERFECTION. And yes, you are a super generous friend to allow your friends wedding to be there. I could only wish for a friend like you are.
Hi Roy!
Wow! What can I say! lol Thanks for watching!
-Mark
Wow, what a spectacular garden! You did a fantastic display on that mound! The butterfly bush in the middle of the urn is pure genius!
Back when I had a house and small property(1/4 acre) I had several gardens in the backyard. It took 27 flats of flowers to plant for my friends wedding( no reception), I hosted! I built two arbors and had clematis climbing on them. I can't get over how beautiful your formal gardens are! Thank you for sharing your videos! Looking forward to seeing more! Holly is quite the beauty as well! Laughed at her haming it up next to you, while you were speaking! What a beautiful moment!
Wow her great grandparents were married there 105years ago. 😇
That's so cool she was able to do the same. I'm sure it meant the world to her. You did a beautiful job with the flowers and formal garden.
Hey NH!
Yes, they were married in the South Parlor of the house in 1916. Glad you enjoyed! As always, thanks for watching/commenting!
-Mark
I LOVE this type of garden. Formal, in lines and shapes and lots of beautiful strategically placed flowers.
Hi HC!
I do as well. Formal should have very clean lines and not be to busy or overdone. I'm glad you liked it!
Thanks for watching/commenting!
Best, -Mark
Glad that the wedding was a success! How lucky to have a wedding or any event on your farm! your property looks enchanting and so pretty!
It was really nice. A very elegant affair. Thank you!
-Mark
Walking around that incredible garden in the evening when the sun is saying good-night sooo quiet so peaceful very therapeutic wow.
Hi Joyce!
Yes, you are so right. I pinch myself every once in a while! lol It's really pretty on a bright moonlit night too!
Thanks for watching/commenting too!
Take care,
-Mark
Absolutely beautiful!
Hi Joanie!
The dogs and I walk through it every day on the way to the river and I have to say, that feeling you get walking through it never goes away. There are many other formal gardens, a 600 foot long allee of white Crepe Myrtles, and a large Japanese Garden, and a sunken garden in the plans. Right now, we are still working and trying to "polish" the plans so that everything is perfect and transitions well from one garden to the next and also fits well with the 160 year old main house. I also want the gardens to be able to age well for decades and that takes a lot of thought and planning as well. This early September, forty some 15 foot tall large hollies are being installed on a hillside above where a lake is going to be installed which is the start of another major landscape project. Several thousand Azaleas, Rhododendrons, southern Magnolias and Dogwoods are going to be installed with the holly so the water in the lake will reflect all the flowering trees and shrubs while in bloom which you will be able to see from the house. It's fun creating things that will be here 100 years from now! Joanie, thanks for watching/commenting!
Best,
Mark
That's amazing - all the butterflies are really cool - glad your event was a big success - it's a massive amount of work to pull off an outside wedding - it's a fantastic garden
Hi Terry!
The only thing I had to do is a few improvements of the garden, so I didn't have anything to do with all the other stuff like food, etc. It did look like a horrible amount of work and they had it really planned out well because everything was flawless and really, very elegant. Thanks for watching/commenting!
-Mark
This is such a gorgeous space. How could anyone not be ecstatic about being married there!
Hi!
Thank you! I think all the guest enjoyed it very much with the river right below the formal garden. We put tiki torches along the banks of the river all the way up to the beach and it really was pretty that night. Thanks for watching!
-Mark
I’m not sure how I missed this video but it was amazing!
How pretty it all is.
Great Job! The scale of that space is impressive. I've hosted weddings here at my farm but lately I've said no. It's too damn much work. And I'm afraid some smoker will burn my barn down!
Hi Mike!
Thanks Mike! This was a first for having that many people here for anything and actually it went over really well. I know what you mean though about it being a lot of work! Thanks for watching!
-Mark
Beautiful formal gardens
Mark, can you please show a video pruning those big conical shaped flowers? Tks
Sure. I think you mean the Holly?
-Mark
So beautiful! Would love to have a formal garden like this one day.
WOW!! Its Breathtaking....so Beautiful. Who wouldn't want their Marriage and/or Reception there. Thank you Mark. I love all kinds of gardens but I REALLY think a well manicured formal Garden is Magnificent. Awesome!!
Hi Billy!
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed! Thanks for watching!
-Mark
Beautiful job, Mark. Very nice
Hi Rick!
Thank you! Thanks for watching!
-Mrak
God! That place is incredible!
Hi Steven!
It's really nice to look down onto from the house.
Gorgeous property
Thank you!
Beautiful formal garden!! You made it perfect!! I photographed high end weddings for 10 years.... your very brave indeed!! LOL
Hey!
Thank you so much! lol No, it was a lot of fun.
-Mark
Great Video
;)
That's your formal garden???? holy moly that's gorgeous!!!!!
Hi June!
Thank you! When it was designed, it had to be something that was in keeping with the big old brick home that overlooks it and the surrounding area. That's my view from the house and I really enjoy it year around being that everything is evergreen. Thanks for watching/commenting!
Best,
-Mark
Totally beautiful gardens and very fortunate friends to be able to use it. I enjoyed seeing the perspective of how your garden relates to the house as a complete package. Thank you!
Hi David!
Your very welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed. The gardens fit well with the house which was built in 1861 and is large brick structure with slate roofs and is formal in it's appearance. It all makes a great fit. Wait to you see what is being added as far as gardens. Very interesting. David, thanks for watching/commenting! I appreciate it!
-Mark
WOW, that event garden area is STUNNING. Circular design on the 16' garden great choice. Nicely done! Congrats to Amber and partner!
Hi!
Thank you! Thanks for watching!
-Mark
excellent
BEAUTIFUL PLACE! GREAT JOB.
Hi Dennis!
Thank you! I enjoy living with it.
Best, -Mark
OMG, your garden is fantastic!!
What a great formal garden!
Hi Roy,
Thank you! The house sits above it and I really enjoy having that view in the picture from the house. Nice thing to start the morning with every day! Thanks for watching!
Best,
-Mark
Gorgeous garden! Love your vids, Mark. :-)
Hi Forrest!
Many thanks! Glad you are enjoying them. They should get better as I spend more time getting the experience from making them. Thanks for watching!
-Mark
Absolutely LOVE formal gardens! The artistry and skill is truly awe inspiring. Combine that with an informal meandering path that leads to an English country garden then a veg garden and I’m in heaven!
Looks amazing.
Hi Tina!
Thanks! Good landscape design is a art form with a very fine balance that if not achieved, can make the difference between something that is OK and something that is exceptional. Thanks for watching/commenting!
-Mark
@@marksgardenlife5971 agreed 💯...art is all about balance, line and scale.
I think everyone is in love with Mark.
Hi John!
lol Maybe you're overstating that! Wouldn't it be nice if that was the case!
Best, -Mark
This was a surprise! Didn’t know you had a formal garden and it was really palatial and serene. Cool 😎
You did a beautiful job
Thanks Randall!
@@marksgardenlife5971 You're very welcome Mark 😊
Great vid! That must have been a great experience for all those involved. Very unique and what a stunning setting. What a blessing to have that as a wedding venue. Lots of hard work, but great result. Thank you for posting... :-)
Hi Stephen!
The wedding....They really did a beautiful job. A big beautiful tent set with white tables and white linens with china and lots of good food and drink. I had to laugh though. I was of course invited and the only ones who knew me or what I looked like anyway were the bride and groom and the brides parents. As I was walking around, I overheard a conversation of a group of people saying it reminded them of the movie "The Great Gatsby". A single mysterious man who lived in a big house overlooking the gardens. lol
Stephen, you have a great weekend!
Best, -Mark
@@marksgardenlife5971 - Mark, I don't think you can get a better setting than that! I bet it was beautiful and I am sure you were very proud of the outcome.
*chuckle* - people are funny and have vivid imaginations!! Yeah, very amusing indeed. But, if you do indeed wake up to that particular view every morning, that is rather priceless. Probably the Formal Garden is a constant WIP to keep it that way - could lose myself in that, and would be quite happy! lol
Have a great weekend! Take care. - S
Wow!!! very nice garden👍🌳🌲🌺 from Thailand
Hi Alesha!
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching!
-Mark
Oh thank God,.it was someone else’s wedding. I about had a panic attack. “Wait, what?? Wedding??”. I was worried someone else had beat me to a proposal! LOL. 🤣.
Hi Scott!
Wedding is not in my plans! lol At all!
-Mark
lmao bruh. he's mine I saw him first lol
@@Dcc333 And I just found him 😍
I saw him first 😁
Step aside guys I’m here now.
Absolutely beautiful
Hi Bryan!
Thank you! It's a nice thing to see every morning when I walk out of the house.
-Mark
I'm sure it is very good way to start the day seeing something that beautiful. Your vegetable garden is so nice as well so neatly laid out. Enjoy watching your videos always.
Hi Bryan!
Actually my favorite thing is seeing the dogs every morning when I wake up, but the garden is nice to see every time I am up at the house which looks down on it. Thank you! I'm glad you like watching them and I appreciate you watching them and commenting as well!
Take care,
-Mark
Your yard is really stunning!
Beautiful! Congratulations to the newlyweds.
Hi Kristi!
Thank you! Thanks for watching/commenting!
-Mark
That garden is a full time job in itself
Good thing you have the business to keep it going and help out.
It's not as bad as it seems as far as maintenance.
Thanks for watching!
-Mark
Incredible formal gardens 😳
Thank you!
-Mark
Good afternoon Mark 😊 how impressive is this,without any shadow of dought this venue is definitely fit for royalty....oh my word soooo beautiful.And the trees stood so proudly they are fantastic, must take some looking after keeping them in shape.Great job Mark 👏👏👏🏆All the very best 🌱🌱🌱💕🇬🇧
Hi Joyce!
Glad you enjoyed! It does take some work, but most of it is this time of year when they have to trim the huge hollies and that's a job. We have a 40' lift here which makes it possible to keep them trimmed since they are so tall.
-Mark
WOW!! that is some set up you have there. I couldn't imagine a better place to have a wedding reception., Congratulations!! the hedges and topiaries are superb.☮🏳🌈
Hi Peter!
The house looks down on it and I have that view several times a day, so I enjoy the view very much. I'm glad you enjoyed. Thanks for watching/commenting!
Best,
-Mark
I would love something similar in my gardens. 😍 Beautiful Mark
Hi Kim!
Thank you! It's a little maintenance, but it's worth it. The hedges in the foreground get trimmed 3 times a year which takes a full day for one man, the huge Nellie Stevens once a year which takes approx. 1 week for 2 men to trim them off a 40' cherry picker style lift and the Emerald Green Arborvitae get trimmed every other year and the guys take ladders and clean all the dead fallen foliage which tends to collect in piles within the branches and if you don't remove them you will get dead spots on the tree and that's every year and takes a man approx. 1 1/2 weeks to accomplish that. All pretty things require maintenance! Thanks for watching/commenting!
Best,
-Mark
@@marksgardenlife5971 I have Emerald green lining our property and one section that is repeatedly replaced either struggle with spider-mites or water run-off issues from a neighbor. Do you have any issues with pests for your arborvitae?
Hi Kim!
The only problem that they have had in the past is bag worms and we sprayed them and eliminated the issue. And of course the issue I already mentioned about keeping the dead foliage cleaned from the interior area of the tree. Of course, you can spray for spider mites as well. Do you live in a dry climate? Typically spider mites only become an issue during very dry periods. They will do extensive damage if not treated though, so keep a eye on them especially during very hot, dry periods.
Best,
-Mark
@@marksgardenlife5971 I live in a very humid environment in So Md. I definitely haven’t cleaned the dead foliage from the interior. Any recommendations for easiest way to do that?
Hi Kim!
I wish there was. We have tried using gas powered blowers, but it seems they miss areas when doing it that way, so they continue to do it by hand.
Best,
-Mark
Hey Mark. Love the video. Your place is so beautiful.
Hey WJS!
I'm glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching/commenting too!
-Mark
@@marksgardenlife5971 You're welcome. I'm glad you're back to popping videos all the time.
Well, as much as I have time to anyway!
Wow. Beautiful work Mark and you really have quite the talent. Enjoyed watching and just wow is all I can say! 😁
Hi CP!
Thank you so much! I like doing a little of this, little of that type thing. I used to be in the construction business, so I like building things as well. Thanks for watching/commenting!
-Mark
Hey Mark!
What a beautiful garden you have there, i love how much space there is, a lot of penitential.
The butterfly bush is so beautiful i recently planted one here and its the first as well and cant wait for it to flower.
The statues are very nice and i love those urns they turned out so good with all those flowers especially the butterfly bush.
And the garden bed turn out so colorful.
I think its a beautiful place to have a function like weddings and other functions.
Thank you for the little tour of that part of the garden. We are going into our 5th lockdown tonight for about 5 days unfortunately so il be in the garden this weekend to past the time and re watch your videos 😁 and congratulations on hitting over 4k subscribers 🥳
Gabriel
Hi Gabriel!
Thank you! Lockdown? Yes, it's hard to believe I reached 4K so far.
-Mark
@@marksgardenlife5971 By the way did my email come through?
I had to look. Yes, it did. When I get the chance, I'll take a look at what's left.
-Mark
@@marksgardenlife5971 Awesome and thank you 😃
I'm so glad to have found this channel! And what a spectacular garden!! It looks really peaceful. Do you welcome visitors?
Hi Josep!
Wow! Thank you! The garden.....glad you like it. And yes, it is really peaceful. Visitors....I may at some future point have some open house days where guest can walk around the gardens, but a few years away. Thanks for watching/commenting!
You have a great week!
Best, -Mark
I love a man in ball caps mark is s cutie
How many acres is this? Amazingly beautiful. Love the pup hanging out ❤️
Looks great! What is the history of that garden? It looks old. Great color on you.
Hi Tracey!
The garden was put installed in 2001. But the trees were large when installed also. The area where the garden is located was actually raised 4 feet because there was concern if the river flooded, so would the garden than and it hasn't flooded yet in 20 years. It is sort of a take on a formal English Garden. Color.....better than black? Tracey, thanks for watching/commenting!
-Mark
@@marksgardenlife5971 yes you can definitely see the English formal influence. I'm super curious as to why you put it in. The scale is massive. Is it on the nursery property? The statuary looks old. Anyway, yes, the color is better than black, but black works too. I don't know what color your eyes are, but I always recommend blue for people with blue eyes when I photograph them. It reflects blue light up into the eyes. At any rate, it goes with your skin tone and hair color. Glad you had a good weekend.
Actually, I didn't put it in. I was just a young kid when that garden was put in, in 2001. Yes, the garden sits below the main house on the farm. The statuary is bronze and I don't think it's antique, but probably 40 or 50 years old and so heavy, it has to be moved around by large equipment. Bronze is extremely heavy! I have very clear med. blue eyes. I was very light blond as a kid, but as I've gotten older, it's darkened a great deal.
@@marksgardenlife5971 sorry didn't see this when it came across. Wow, just a kid. I'm showing my age I guess. Who designed it and why? Is it your family's property? Is there a reason you decided not to promote the nursery by name in your videos? Don't know why, but I'm just super curious. It's not like I'm a potential customer, unless you start selling seeds:) It's just a story that intrigues me. I suppose that is why we follow people's channels. It's not just the information. It's the stories. And their pets too! I love people's cats and dogs. Do you ever watch The Gardening Channel with James Prigioni? His dog Tuck is irresistible! Also, I never took down your email when you gave it and my notifications don't go that far back.
Was that allée of cone-shaped trees inspired by 'Last Year at Marienbad'? (Déja vu!)
Those are the largest Emerald Green arborvitae that I have ever seen! I really love the design. What variety of holly is used for the section with the urns? Also, how far apart are your Nellie Stevens hollies? The spacing between the all evergreens really gives you an open feel as well as the privacy you’d want. Thank you in advance!
Hi Makayla!
Pretty name! The holly...I'll have to ask the horticulturalist here on the farm. He would remember since he was here when they were installed 20 years ago. I was just a young kid. The Nellies.....I'll measure that today. Those are much larger than you think. They use a lift to trim them every year. It takes a week to just trim the Nellies with 2 men. The hedges get trimmed 3 times a year and the Emerald Green every 2 to 3 years. The gardeners actually get on ladders once a year and hand clean all the dead pieces that tend to pocket in Arborvitae every year and you will get dead spots in the trees if you don't keep them cleaned out. I like the spacing also. At the far end of the garden, a large space was left to build a large arbor. I think we will do a copy of the one at Brooklyn Botanical Garden in the rose garden. I found a brick pattern I liked for the floor at an old estate in VA. using brick and bluestone together. You will probably like some of the new formal gardens in the works. Were going to install a 500 foot allee with white Crepe Myrtle coming up. That is a copy of the one at the Texas Botanical Garden. The Crepe Myrtle will be allowed to grow together to create a "tunnel" effect. Google that if interested. I'll get back with you today about the holly variety and the spacing of the Nellies. I know they choose a holly variety instead of boxwood because he said it would be much tougher and less issues. He was right because it's been problem free. It's wonderful having someone so extremely knowledgeable around. He used to work at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Scotland and is just incredible as far as being a wealth of plant knowledge. Sorry for the long response. I thought you may like to be aware of the maintenance issues if you were thinking of installing something like that.
Best, -Mark
@@marksgardenlife5971 Hi Mark, I appreciate that! The Nellies do look very large. The allee sounds amazing! What variety of Crape Myrtle, Natchez? I’ve been converting my 36 acres of soybeans into my garden rooms over the last year. I put in almost 200 trees so far, as well as a rose & vegetable garden. Great tip on the arborvitae, I have a Green Giant hedge and it’s been some maintenance with a few bag worms this season. Nothing yet compares to the maintenance of a rose garden though, haha. It sounds like you have some expert help over there and some exciting projects as well, are you recording those as well?
Hi Mark where in MD are you located? I'm in Newark delaware. I really enjoy the info you share. I have a very small garden. About 6 x 8 foot. But your info has helped alot. I'd love to come see your garden if possible. Thanks.
Hi Debbie!
Forest Hill, MD I'm a 1 hr. drive from Newark. I cut up through that way to head to 95 sometimes. Beautiful college!
I'm glad to hear you're enjoying the channel. Visit...Sure, just email a few days ahead to my website Marksgardenlife.com to make sure I am going to be around.
Best, -Mark
Very nice, anyone for croquet ?
Hi John!
lol It would make a nice croquet court, wouldn't it! Thank you! Thanks for watching/commenting!
Best,
-Mark
The conifer trees that have branches cover the bottom look good. I noticed they are Nellie Stevens Holly. You made it to the top shapes, Nellie Stevens are common hollies here in Oklahoma none of them looks good like yours.
Hi!
I like Nellie Stevens a lot because they are a incredibly tough Holly and are very conducive for keeping trimmed into formal hedges, individual shaped trees such as those in the formal garden. Those get trimmed hard once a year in July and it doesn't bother them one bit and of course that's why they are branched so heavily. Thanks for watching/commenting!
-Mark
um, didn't even know this existed.. um my word. what a space..
Phew! I just subscribed yesterday and called dibs on you 1st (at least that's my story). Got to go I just noticed you have a video in water 😍😘
Hi Sue Ann!
Welcome to the channel! Thank you! The 4K thank you to subscribers. Holly and I were taking advantage of a hot day when the cameraman came looking for me to tell me we had to shoot a video about reaching 4K, so we did it right there. lol Nothing like a on the spot video! Hope you enjoyed it.
Best, -Mark
Mark, Beautiful formal garden. Do you fire up the cherry picker to trim those conical hollies? Perched atop ladders would scare the hell out of me. I've found the perfect garden statue for your lake project. Search 'Whitby Borghese Gladiator' - it looks majestic in the flesh so to speak. Quite a landmark by an ancient British abbey and quite possibly a new 'old' one in your back yard too. Children stand below and copy his warrior sword-toting pose holding their plastic beach spades aloft. If only money were no object! I'd relish the whole process from foundry visit to setting on plinth. My construction background is responsible for my enjoyment of hard landscaping among the planting.
Good morning!
Thank you! Yes, they have to be trimmed from the lift. The statue.....lol, That looks like me nude! Well almost of all of it! That is really nice though. What aspect of construction? I used to be in construction. I think hardscapes just add a lot to plantings. Thanks for watching!
Have a great day! All my best, -Mark
Cannas!
Hi Rc!
Actually, I have yellow Cannas around the butterfly bush. I like them too! Thanks for watching!
-Mark
lol Uneventful weddings are good weddings!
Hey!
lol You are sure right about that! They didn't serve hard liquor and I'm sure that helped a great deal with having no problems. Thanks for watching/commenting!
-Mark
@@marksgardenlife5971 ah smart!! Hard liquor is def what creates a lot of problems.