NEW SKETE COMPANIONS
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Any season of the year. . .

Any season of the spirit.

Some people may wonder, “Why garden?”  Especially, why garden when the natural surroundings are so beautiful?”  The following quote is a statement that reflects our endeavors:

“There is a sensuality to nature as well as asceticism; there are teachings on birth and death.  Nature is nurturing, educational, challenging…a profound place of presence, of passivity and activity, giving and receiving.  Pure contemplation is a direct route to God, and nature can provide an extraordinary context where that graced moment of being unified can happen.  We create gardens because we are called to be co-creators with the Great Architect, designers of places to fulfill the human quest for wholeness and well-being…Here in the garden the small voice of God can be heard as we stop to listen.”

…from  “A Quiet Garden ”

by Louise Danielle Palmer

 The Sanctuary Gardens

At

Emmaus House 

COMPANIONS OF

NEW SKETE

111 New Skete Lane

PO Box 189

Cambridge , NY    12816

(518) 677-8863

The Companions of New Skete welcome you to the Sanctuary Gardens at Emmaus House.  Before entering the gardens, you may want to familiarize yourself with what the landscape has to offer.  The gardens are a mixture of native woodland plants and a variety of shade plants and perennials.  Benches are placed throughout the gardens near icons for a quiet, prayerful rest if you desire.

The Retreat Garden

In the immediate vicinity of Emmaus House are the Retreat Gardens . Running parallel to the monastery is a dry stream bed with a small wooden bridge.  On the right is a raised bed with a variety of dwarf evergreens and perennials; beyond the small bridge is a rock garden planting on the right and a stream bed planting on the left.  This open area abounds with numerous birds including scarlet tanagers, robins, finches, orioles, and nuthatches.  There are also areas of native grass and a central lawn with a few shade trees.

Wild Flower Meadow

Toward the west on the slope of a hill is the Wild Flower Meadow.  Bordered on one side by a rock ledge and on the far side by birch and other native trees, the meadow remains in a natural state of beauty.  It is always changing – always alive with birds and insects, and the occasional visit by rabbits or deer early in the morning.

Serenity Garden & Gathering Area

The area north of Emmaus House is the Serenity Garden . Located on the hill above the Companions monastery it can be easily reached by following a curved path up the hill across from the main door.  The central path continues toward a small garden shed.  At the top of the hill, on the left, is the Gathering Area.  A number of mulched paths lead visitors through the garden canopy consisting of mature Oak, Ash, Maple, Locust, Tamarack, Birch and evergreen trees. 

Woodland Walk

On the south side of the monastery is the Woodland Walk.  Here the scheme continues with both native and planted areas.  A series of mulched pathways wind throughout the trees leading you back to the central lawn area and the Retreat Garden surrounding Emmaus House.

The woodland display begins in March and April with the emergence of Bloodroot, Arisaema, Trillium, Hepatica, Celandine Poppies, Actea and Narcissus.  A variety of under story trees and shrubs, including Redbud, Forest Redbud, Service Berry, Japanese Maple, Witch Hazel, Magnolia, Crab Apple, Dogwood, Fothergilla, Bottlebrush Buckeye, Summersweet, Viburnum and Hydrangea flower later, together with ferns and perennials.

Legend