Sleepy Cat Farm

Sleepy Cat Farm is the creation of Fred Landman who first purchased the property located in Greenwich, Connecticut in 1994. He then embarked on a decades long restoration and expansion of the home and gardens. The extensive gardens are without a doubt one of the most beautiful and well maintained garden properties that I have ever visited. Its size and quality dwarfs most well established private and public gardens, including some of the most noteworthy of botanic gardens that I have visited. 

For the purposes of this blog, I am only going to focus on the Chinese Pavilion and surrounding Asian inspired garden areas located at Sleepy Cat Farm. I initially discovered Sleepy Cat Farm via a cable television show called the Garden Chronicles (season 1, episode 3). Once I realized there was a Chinese pavilion, and that the garden was easily within reach of my home, I decided to visit as a participant in a Garden Conservancy Open Days event. My concern was that I would find only the pavilion, which by itself might not meet my criteria for my garden adventure list/blog. However, once I arrived on site, and directly headed to the pavilion (primarily to avoid the arrival of 700+ visitors), I discovered a much more extensive garden design that incorporated many aspects of Asian gardens. Pleasantly surprised, I realized it was going to be a long day.

Website: http://www.sleepycatfarm.com/

My first view of the Chinese pavilion was from the north end of a long serpentine hornbeam hedge, anchored at the north end by a large stature of Atlas (check out this map). 

Source: http://www.sleepycatfarm.com/expanding-horizons/
(edited used without permission)

Atlas

As I made my way along this path way, the pavilion, which sits on a small island in the middle of a small pond, came into view. This is not the typical pathway for visitors, but is without a doubt the most dramatic - something I have never experienced within all of the gardens I have visited.

As I took in the view of the pavilion, it became clear that there was much more going on behind and above the pavilion. A series of stepping stones led to a variety of artifacts, including a small pool of water with a hanging bell.

A roofed structure with Buddhist prayer wheels also added some interest to the pathway.

Large decorative stones with a variety of details carved on the surface were also located along the pathway. These too could be spun as desired.

Several large lanterns and some statuary also populated the path.

Near the entry to the pathway rested a large basin resting upon a rock, its plantings catching my attention.

There were also several details within the pavilion pond and island which accentuated its appearance and contributed to the tranquility of the location.

More statuary, bells, and prayer wheels could be found along an additional path that led toward a nearby Iris Garden.

Nearing the entrance to the Iris Garden one last statue (perhaps Guanyin) marks the transition. After passing a bust of Buddha, one sees the Iris Garden, and after entering, one traverses a long and raised Spirt Walk which resembles a traditional zig-zag bridge, its terminus located at the beginning of the limonaia area of the gardens.

Overall, Sleepy Cat Farm is a masterpiece of gardening. The entire sight is overwhelmingly beautiful as well as inspiring. However, as far as my garden adventure is concerned, the Chinese Pavilion and its surrounding gardens are one of the most lovely and interesting Asian gardens I have ever visited.

A visit via a Garden Conservancy Open Day is recommended. The experience will transform any visitor and enhance anyone's love of gardening.

Lasdon Park & Arboretum Chinese Pavilion

Located in Westchester county, New York, the Lansdon Park & Arboretum is a small arboretum that contains a Chinese friendship pavilion. A sister city relationship established in 1997 with Jinzhou, China was the impetus for the building of a Chinese garden, a 4 acre site along a pond near the western end of the park.

The pavilion reflects a classical Chinese design and was built by a team of 80 artisans in China using traditional construction methods. The pavilion was then disassembled and shipped to the arboretum where it took a month to reconstruct.

Originally planned as a centerpiece to a larger Chinese garden, the garden area today is defined by a pond, a surrounding lawn, and a bamboo forest as a backdrop. There are also flowering cherry, dogwood, and willow trees nearby.

The pavilion and two large entry gates have been challenged by extreme climate over the years, and as a result, the Parks Department has had to regularly (every 5 years) restore the paint and wooden features of the structure. During this visit, the entry gates and pavilion were noticeably in need of some restoration.

Website: https://www.lasdonpark.org/tour-the-park-2/

There is a separate parking area at the park for the Chinese Pavilion trail. The trail to the pavilion follows along an interesting historic tree trail. Arriving at the main gate to the Chinese garden, one begins to notice the emergence of a large bamboo forest on either side of the trail.

A second entry gate exists at the north-western edge of the lake.

Overall, the Chinese Friendship Pavilion and the surrounding garden and pond area was a very peaceful and serene place to visit - a wonderful location for a picnic. 

I look forward to seeing another restoration and will most definitely visit again in the future.