Molly And Richard Rohde’s White Oak Road Garden
White Oak Road in Raleigh is a Sunday drive destination where you pass lovely homes wending from Lassiter Mill Road to Fairview Road near Five Points.
For the last three years, Richard and Molly Rohde have been building a garden behind their large home on White Oak not copied from a magazine or seen on TV. Rather, this garden is original to the Rohde’s style and nicely complements their property.
The long driveway is lined in white Azaleas, a springtime display that pleases the senses. The never pruned English boxwoods billow into view, a rare sight to see in their natural state taking on a desirable look of clouds touching the ground.
The main gardens are in the back of this nearly three-acre estate. The lower patio holds a fountain and entrance areas leading into garden rooms. There are more arbors throughout the gardens serving as portals to secret gardens for more discovery and pleasure. At the entrance of one portal are antique gates given to Richard as a special anniversary gift from his wife.
The center view leads the eye up where a rose-covered arbor awaits at the top entrance of the tiered lawn with another fountain ready to greet you. Set within the lawn areas are specimen trees, including towering Asian Fur and the most intriguing Dawn Redwood with a unique history.
 Applying original vision, the Rohdes worked out the details of creating a natural walk area with a stream fed from a pond at the top of the garden. As you journey to the water source, other smaller ponds holding Koi and other fish invite you to pause and reflect.
The waterway takes you on a lighted, stone-paved journey to admire and enjoy the unique plants on either side of the walk with the waterway serving as your constant companion.
Lined with trees, shrubs, perennials and ground covers, the waterway has points in the path where the stream disappears, covered with a fern or the branching arms of Solomon’s Seal. Tucked here and there and at nearly every step, garden joy awaits.
While just over four years old, the plantings are lush and seemingly mature, announcing their intent to stay to provide pleasure along the waterway.
Little Gem Magnolias, Camellias and Peonies dot the path with a weeping Bald Cypress arching over to the other side. Plantings of Azaleas, Wiegela and Iris add spring color, providing a cool respite from the summer heat. During every month of the year, Molly is able to cut flowers from her garden to make into exquisite floral arrangements.
At the conclusion of the waterway walk, a gazebo awaits — providing a place to reflect and listen to the wildlife. The gazebo is guarded by 19th century, moss-covered stone lions, providing a note that makes this garden sing.
...
read more 
|