Open Day at ravishing Rocky Hills this Saturday, May 28

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May 27, 2011
by Christine Yeres

The chance to visit Rocky Hills, at 95 Old Roaring Brook Road, comes only a few times each year.  The 13-acre garden is open this Saturday, May 28, from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. There isn’t much at Henriette Suhr’s Rocky Hills that hasn’t been meticulously and artfully planned and executed by her over the last 50 years, but the forget-me-nots are allowed to run free, making seas of blue, more every year.

Yes, there is a roaring brook that runs through the property, a section of a fallen old weeping willow that has been allowed to remain and sprout new life, bright vistas framed by dark arching branches, tiny flowers cascading from between stones in walls, dark purple columbines, gigantic hostas, and a few swaths of brilliant green lawn. In all, “It’s ravishing right now,” says Suhr.

Now in her mid-nineties, Suhr has been working on Rocky Hills since moving to New Castle in 1956 from the City.  She and her late husband, art conservator William Suhr, were not gardeners, but gradually, as her interest in interior design shifted to the garden, it became their joint passion.  They let Rocky Hills make them into gardeners — and she’s been outside ever since. 

The Garden Conservancy holds an easement on Rocky Hills, protecting it from future development. Eventually, ownership of the property will go to the Westchester County Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation.

Admission is $5, children free.  Proceeds go to benefit the Conservancy and its preservation project at Rocky Hills.

Below, yesterday at Rocky Hills Below, Rocky Hills in March 2011 .