Friends with flair

Resnova megaphylla

I don't add new genera to my life's list every day (particularly South African bulbs), but it's not surprising I should do so at Matt Xavier Mattus and Joe Phillip's incredible home and garden. We were lucky to be hosted by these gentlemen the first three days of my New England Lecture tour. We were also blessed with unbelievably warm and sunny weather for early November (days in the 70's and 80's mostly). 

The Mattus/Phillips home and garden are extensive. I didn't even get pictures of the unique birds (pastel turkeys and miscellaneous ducks etc.) or more than a few vignettes here and there of late color or flowers. What one is struck by here is "Shibui"--the Japanese notion I've blogged about before: everything inside and out is characterized by simple elegance and grace.

An amazing collection of rare trees, shrubs and perennials displayed not in the cluttered arrangements collections are prone to, but in beautiful combinations and masses. And oh, yes! Several large Japanese maples in fall color still. Sigh!

I chuckled when I saw this Aloe vera: I have one that looks almost identical at home!

Ditto this pot of Euphorbia lomelii (formerly Pedilanthus).  I am always struck how I often find "twins" of plants I grow in my friends' gardens! My pot looks almost exactly the same!

But I do not own an elegant, authentic Wardian case...

Nor a ridiculously charming silver clock.

The views out the windows of their home (which has been in the Mattus' family for over a century) are incredible.

Not sure what I coveted most--the elegant book stand, the book in it or that other stand next to it!

You'll see another picture of this Cyclamen africanum in a different light in a bit. This home is a work of art that changes with the hour...

I doubt many homes boast a head of a jackalope!

My very first Axolotl. A very friendly one by the way! I think I may have to have one too,

Joe and Matt share their home with two Irish terriers they have exhibited (and won ribbons) for their dogs on both sides of the Pond. I have a hunch they have some Wes Anderson worthy stories to share about their experiences!

Matt's father was a fine artist (as well as a commercial artist): a variety of his work still graces the home including these jaunty figures on the cabinets. The furniture and fixtures throughout the home are state of the art (and beyond) and modern: I could tell they would have LOVED to modernize the cabinets...but...but...

Love love love the lit bookcase. And the crows! The home (definitely not just a house) is full of these touches...

I think this is a pretty cool honor. I did get an award once from the City of Boulder where I grew up. But not an attractive key, alas! Worcester has class!

Lovely begonias (you'll see more) here and there on the marble-ous tables!

The picture doesn't do this justice--it is a real object of nature--couldn't tell if it was a root system or stems. But evocative in any case (must ask them what it was--every object in the house had a story! And a good one).

A skeleton on the porch. Likely real.

A prize winning painting by Matt's father, Vitty Mattus. For the heck of it I Google Lensed the painting an found a fantastic site (I think I know who created it) which is a great tribute to the artist. Click on the last phrase to access it.

A wild tortoise that Joe rescued (saved the egg from marauding predators that would keep destroying the mother's dens): another great story!

A promised series of begonia pix: really lovely specimens!

The same Cyclamen africanum at night.

I wish I had a giant Sago Palm next to my Cucurbit arch. Come to think of it, I don't have an arch either!

More fall color and choice plants! 

Even in November the garden was redolent of fragrances and charming views. How I'd like to see it in May! Maybe 2025?

I got a pretty good picture of Matt. Never got one of Joe, darn it! This is followed by very random shots around the garden.

If you don't follow Matt on Instagram or follow Growing with Plants, you should do so. They are filled with stunning pictures and stories from their gardens and greenhouse.

Got a second great picture of Matt--not too hard to do: he's a photogenic and handsome lad!

I end, hesitantly, with an Edgeworthia in the ground no less that lived outdoors last year and bloomed: a testament to climate change if there ever was one...

Jan and I visited briefly (and somewhat breathlessly--Matt and Joe threw a big and really lavish party while we were here with dozens of people coming and going and amazing food they'd prepared)--these pictures are something of an afterthought. But even in our brief visit I was struck by two people who've created a wonderful haven of elegance and livability. I've not seen many on this scale or depth.

I've known Matt for decades: he's a leader not only in American horticulture, but many realms of design...not to mention that he (like his father) is a practicing fine artist who has filled galleries with his art in the past, although we are incredibly lucky that he's now focusing on Horticulture.

Matt became President of the North American Rock Garden Society when that group was perhaps at its nadir: a turn-around-artist as well, I believe he rescued our group from decline and instituted changes (including hiring an inspired editor for our journal) that have led to the renascence of the group.

He's served ten years on the Board of the New England Botanical Garden at Tower Hill--ten years that have seen that garden explode with growth and new gardens and programs.

And how he's taken on a role as Director of Special Projects for the American Horticultural Society.

I feel blessed to know Matt and have finally met Joe. And Horticulture in America is lucky to have these champions leading the charge!