Stonehaven encompasses not only the upper portion of the sixty foot mound, but it is a well established fact that it claims domain over the forests and the lands beyond them. As a result of this, there are various gardens that have sprung up over the centuries through Its domain. Stonehaven has various gardens, some have been carefully cultivated while others are just wild outcrops in the forests.
The Noir Courtyards are near the Black Lotus Gardens. The flowers here are sentient and alive much like their counterparts in the Noir Rose Gardens, a gift created by the Matriarch's second child. Long ago, the Matriarch befriended an unusual man was known for collecting the faces off his slain enemies. He was known also for his cruelty, but beneath the layers of insanity was a gentle heart. The black lotuses were discovered in an abandoned ancient city. No one knows who were the custodians of this lost civilization. He had been taking care of the flowers and of their great monstrous mother. The Matriarch was taken to the place were these wondrous blooms were born. Inside a cavernous chamber rested a large lotus plant from which hundreds of smaller versions sprung. The man died long ago in battle, and the Matriarch assumed the role of guardian of these delicate creatures. Thus, they were transported with their mother to the Keep proper where they continue to flourish. The blooms are ambulatory and can wander about the Keep. They curious and are should be treated like innocent children. The wrath of the Matriarch will befall on any that harms them.
 View of Wild Outcrop Garden. This is simply one of the many walkways found through out the Keep's mounds. |
Stonehaven has a magnificent rose garden where all sorts of roses blooms. The one rose garden that is most dear to the Matriarch and is the bane of the male household members is the Noir Rose Garden. Long ago, the Matriarch's second born, Jade, created the black roses through the inherent powers of biogency or biogenesis. Like the lotuses, the roses are fully ambulatory and tend to wander about the Keep. However, they are rather amorous blooms who will flirt and try to seduce any male household member or guest into their silken embraces. It's not an uncommon sight to see male household members run for their very lives away from the beauties. No one is sure why the plants behave in such a fashion. Despite this, the Matriarch has prohibited that the plants be harmed or destroyed. Anyone forgetting this, never forgets the wrath that descends on them. The plants only need a gentle scolding to stop their amorous assults.
 Baby animals and other creatures roam freely in the Children's garden. |
The Fae Garden is a place full of constant enchantment. This is the Children's Gardens. Delicate blooms of pansies, merry golds, sunflowers, among other exotic plants bloom here. There are no harmful blooms here and the children can play in safety. This garden is under a special ward that protects it from the chill and frost of winter, so it is always in perpetual spring. At night, the garden is illuminated by the phosphorescent Fae Thornless Roses that come in hues of whites, pale yellows, azures, vibrant reds, baby green, just to name a few colors. The pollen from the flowers forms an opalescent sheen on whomever brushes against them. When the wind blooms, it sways the delicate rose heads releasing the pollen into the air. This creates a shimmer effect in the air. Busy fairies are seen playing among the flowers. Small ponds are found scattered through this garden. However, the children are always accompanied by someone and never left alone.
  View of a lakeside garden pavilion and a cultivated enclosed garden walkway. |
There are other gardens on the Keep's grounds. There are gardens made of stone and others display works of art. Greenhouses are a part of the Keep's landscape were saplings, fruits, vegetables, and other plants are grown. Orchids and roses are the specialty of the greenhouses.
There greenhouses provide a place to safely grow delicate exotic blooms. There is one that has become an aviary full of tropical birds and plants. Here orchids reign supreme as the flower of choice. If you can withstand the humidity and the cacophony of bird calls, chirps, squawks, and shrill calls from the various species of parrots, you will do well here. Other animals include various species of humming birds and small monkeys.
Like giant ivory marble eggs, various doveries dot the landscape of the rose gardens. The giant oval shaped structures house fan tail doves. Their soft hootings fill the air of the place. The walls of the dovery have been carved with images of acorns, rowan trees, fleeting deer and other sylvan images. Hundreds of small niches fill the inside of the structure were the doves roost.
There are the hanging gardens. It is a large pyramid shaped structure with the top in the shape of a mesa. Here blooms overflow from the sides. The sound of murmuring water trickles down freely from on top layer of the pyramid to the level below it. This is a rich green landscape where anything can be found. Inside the pyramid are large galleries where works of art are on display. Other small rooms are salons for reading, meditation, or simply gazing outside. Open terraces make nice langing places for family members.
Even under the gentle blanket of winter, the gardens take on a magical surreal quality. One of the most breath taking displays takes place in the Sam'si'barix Orchard which has a sweet citrus aroma in the air. Here plump oranges and tangerines grow during the spring and summer months. Under the winter moons and after the first snowfall and frost, this place is a wondrous world of glassy ice and snow. Ice creeps on the barks, bare branches and smaller woody digits, encasing the wood in a tight grip. Under the moons' light, the trees appear to be encased in liquid silver. The pale light of the moons glints off the ice blanket creating a beautiful affect.
  There are also various secret gardens behind tall walls were lovers may meet to exchange amorous endearments. |
The Keep grows its own food. There are various fruit orchids, vegetable gardens, and gardens that are just dedicated to the growing of healing herbs and plants. They serve a double purpose of providing beauty and also of providing food.
  View of a Lily Pond and goods from the fruit orchards. |
Water is found throughout the gardens in one form or another, whether in the form of lakes, ponds, bubbling creeks or springs, or in the form of fountains. The pools and lakes are not empty of life. Shy water nymphs dwell in these tranquil waterways. Waterways and bodies found through out the Keep's grounds and forests are teeming with exotic and mysterious life forms such as water nymphs and water sprites.
Contents found throughout this web site of the Stonehaven Keep, the Ascension Conclave, the Imaji Realm (Realm of the Imaji), the Impa'wixay, the Shi'aarae, and all related material are the intellectual property of Grizell E. Blessing B. (GEBB) and are protected under international copyright law. This material may not be reproduce under any condition without permission from the author, © 1990 - 2002.
Midi of Danielle's Song is Copyrighted to
Edwin Van Veldhoven.
