Among the roses selected specifically for their fragrance, ‘Mary Rose’ emits hints of honey and almond.
The extensive formal garden is packed with diverse perennials far beyond the peonies that prevailed.
Michael Rosenthal is framed by a radiant Japanese maple.
A weeping Larix kaempferi ‘Pendula’ now stands on its own having overgrown its original supports.
Given the soft palette of a white iris already in residence, Rosenthal added a white geranium, alliums, amsonia and various other perennials to frame the view from the formal garden to the house.
For a spark of chartreuse, Rosenthal planted Ptelea trifoliata ‘Aurea’ against the dramatic granite outcroppings.
In 1983, he planted a 7-foot-long weeping blue Atlas cedar, training it along the house to its current 30-foot showering length; lanterns, pillows and chairs are from RH.
Acer palmatum ‘Geisha Gone Wild’ is one of Rosenthal’s rarities.
The view from the house’s dining balcony sweeps the formal garden with its meticulously pruned yew hedges.
Even in summer, Acer palmatum ‘Watnong’ glows with fiery shades.
Clematis ‘Rooguchi’ has nodding bells.
The garage is swathed in clematis and American native Wisteria frutescens ‘Amethyst Falls,’ which remains easily in bounds compared to the much more rambunctious Japanese species.
The original peonies lost their labels long ago, but ‘Festiva Maxima’ is easy to identify.
Perennials including alliums, salvia, astilbe and nepeta frolic against the yew hedge of the formal garden.
The formal garden ascends the hill in a series of tiers including a level with a pair of standard Wisteria floribunda ‘Longissima Alba’ and a lower lounging tier to enjoy the sunset.
A massive Kousa dogwood arches over the doorway of a tool shed while roses deliver a pop of color.
A fresh, tea rose scent floats from the petals of David Austin rose ‘Graham Thomas.’
Set up on the water side of the house, a hammock invites napping.
To give the fragrant rose garden a backdrop, Rosenthal planted a curving chamaecyparis hedge that locked shoulders over time.