Rocky Hills rebounds from a harrowing winter to a ravishing Open Day Saturday, May 29

A world away, in New Castle’s own back yard
May 29, 2010
by Lynn O’Malley

Anyone who has had the pleasure of visiting Rocky Hills will recall its brilliant azaleas, rare magnolias, expansive fern beds and ubiquitous forget-me-nots. The colorful strolling garden on Old Roaring Brook Road in Mount Kisco is the creation of interior designer Henriette Granville Suhr and her late husband, art conservator William “Billy” Suhr. It embodies the couple’s artistic vision and the lessons they learned about gardening over more than fifty years.

Returning visitors and new friends will see unexpected changes when Rocky Hills opens to the public for the day on Saturday, May 29. Heavy snow pulled down several mature hemlocks and a large cedar, which in turn caused considerable further damage as they fell. Some smaller trees are gone, the wisteria pergola has been rebuilt, and newly exposed species rhododendrons were relocated to shade. A staggering volume of trunks and branches had to be cut and mulched. 

Rocky Hills is a cultural and ecological treasure for New Castle for the region’s extended community of garden enthusiasts. With foresight and generosity, Henriette Suhr has arranged for the entire 13-acre property to be preserved for the education and enjoyment of the public. She granted a conservation easement to the Garden Conservancy, which has been working with her since 2000 to preserve the garden and secure its future as a public garden. The Westchester County Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation will own and operate Rocky Hills when Mrs. Suhr is no longer able to do so.

In the aftermath of the storm, 93-year-old Suhr has been out in the garden every day, working alongside Garden Conservancy horticulturalist Timothy Tilghman and a handful of volunteers to respond to the challenges wrought by winter weather. Increased financial donations from members of the Friends of Rocky Hill are helping Mrs. Suhr and the Garden Conservancy cover the costs of the repairs. As every gardener knows, change brings with it new opportunities for artistic expression. Please plan to visit Rocky Hills on May 29 to meet Henriette Suhr and experience her art. 

Open Day at Rocky Hills runs from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at 95 Old Roaring Brook Road.  For more information about the May 29 Open Day at Rocky Hills and other garden visitation opportunities through the Garden Conservancy’s Open Days program, click HERE .