Would you like to visit a new garden every Friday, rain or shine, snow or sleet? Jay Jinge Hu makes it possible on his YouTube channel “Whispers in the Garden” where he posts videos of his visits to private gardens in Western New York (WNY). Jay graciously asks, “Can I see your garden?” Then, off you go with the head gardener (a.k.a. the homeowner) and Jay, who expertly films the garden as he chats it up with the gardener(s). Not only can you learn from the homeowners’ experiences, but you can pick up general gardening advice as well as cultivation tips. The videos record stunning plant combinations with flowering in real time. These combinations are easy to replicate in your own garden since many of the plants thrive in WNY.
Jay confesses, “I gain valuable knowledge and inspiration when visiting other people’s gardens. Conversations with fellow gardeners have been an invaluable source of information for me.” Jay also broadens his horticultural proficiency by reading books and getting information on-line including through Facebook groups, YouTube videos and blogs.
“It was a unique garden shed photo on Facebook,” Jay recalls, “that led me to discover the garden of Jim Charlier. When I expressed my interest in the Open Gardens program, it was Jim who encouraged me to apply. He jotted down the contact information in his famous shed! Shortly after that, I met Mike Shadrack, the Open Gardens chairman, who warmly welcomed me into the program.”
At the time of his garden debut for the 2022 Open Gardens program, Jay joined the volunteers of the Open Gardens committee as well as its parent nonprofit organization Gardens Buffalo Niagara (GBN). GBN produces garden events including Garden Walk Buffalo, Open Gardens, the Garden Art Sale, the East Side Garden Walk and Urban Farm Day. Before starting his YouTube channel as a personal project, Jay has regularly shared photos and stories of the various gardens that he has visited. His goal has been to promote these wonderful events and attract more visitors.
In 2023, Jay was encouraged by Laurie Ousley, president of Gardens Buffalo Niagara, to livestream the Butterfly Release Ceremony on GBN’s Conservation Day. According to Jay, “This event led me to research videography equipment. Shortly after that, I was visiting a garden in Snyder which was listed in the Open Gardens program. As I talked with the hosting gardeners, I learned that they wished they could share their garden at its peak with family and friends in other states.”
On a whim, Jay decided to use his iPhone to create a video to capture the garden at its best. The homeowners could then share the video with anyone, near or far. Although Jay ran into a snag when trying to transfer the large file, he persisted, ultimately uploading the video to YouTube. It then became accessible to anyone who can view it at anytime.
“Astonishingly, my first garden video captured with my iPhone, received over 30,000 views,” according to Jay. He estimates that “a dozen views were from the homeowners family, a few hundred from Western New Yorkers, with the majority of views from people who knew nothing about the Open Gardens program and most likely, have never even visited WNY.”
Since July 2023, Jay has dedicated a considerable portion of his time exploring and filming gardens in and around the Queen City. “In my eyes,” remarks Jay, “the videos preserve the garden for the gardeners. As an added bonus, YouTube gives the world a chance to see all the beauty created by hardworking, imaginative individuals. It is a form of appreciation, from one gardener to another.” Jay videotapes, edits and shares numerous garden videos on his YouTube channel “Whispers in the Garden.” His audience keeps growing with recent videos receiving 10,000 or 20,000 views. As more and more gardeners discover the captivating gardens in WNY, some videos have exceeded 100,000 views.
After visiting so many beautiful gardens, Jay graciously shared a few memorable experiences. “Barb and Dave Whittemore of Whit’s End Gardens in Hamburg, New York, have created a shady retreat devoid of lawn that features over 700 hosta, a waterfall, and three operating trains,” explains Jay. “The entire family comes together to help and welcome visitors. Whit’s End is a popular destination during Open Gardens because the entire garden is accessible with ramps ensuring that all visitors can enjoy the garden.”
According to Jay, “The Gargoyle Gardens in Pembroke, New York, expanded the boundaries of my imagination! It is whimsical, unrestrained and bursting with color.” Owners Brenda Fox and Adam Cunningham grow extensive varieties of hosta, lilies, and unusual perennials. Brenda confesses, “I have the plant collector’s disease.”
“Ellen Goldstein and Mitch Flynn’s hidden garden in the city of Buffalo features stunning lilies and sunflowers grown by Ellen,” according to Jay, “while Mitch creates unique, handmade garden art. A bowling ball totem and garden art pieces created from bicycle parts add interest to the garden.” Mitch’s passion for bicycles led him to found the Ride for Roswell, a fundraiser that attracted 6,875 riders in 2023 and raised $3,359,402.62. Ellen and Mitch host guests for Garden Walk Buffalo and Open Gardens.
With verdure being the main focus of gardening, Jay loves to talk plants. He planted a few Ginkgo biloba in his garden which is a native tree of China where Jay was born. It is a symbol of his heritage and a connection to its ancient roots. According to Jay, “The Ginkgo is one of the most ancient living majestic trees. Its origins date back to the Permian period, around 270 million years ago. It is long lasting and majestic, thriving in various hostile growing conditions.”
Jay grew fond of zinnias through his volunteer work at the public gardens in Williamsville. “It was a tradition to plant zinnias every year since they can withstand deer and rabbit browsing,” says Jay. “Their colorful blooms attract pollinators and hummingbirds. Flowering is continuous until the first frost when the birds can feast on the seeds. Zinnias contribute to our ecosystem while providing ornamental value to the gardens.”
Fragrance is a top priority in Jay’s garden. He grows Magnolia virginiana (Sweetbay magnolia) which is native to the coastal areas of the southeastern United States and north along the Atlantic coast to New York. Jay reminisces, “The exceptional fragrant white flowers that bloom in summer evoke memories of my childhood. My grandparents grew a similar variety in southeastern China where the climate resembles that of Atlanta. They used to pin the flowers on their clothing as natural perfume.”
Western New York has been home to Jay and his wife, Nan for over fifteen years. They put down roots in Williamsville, New York in 2014, where the Hu garden has participated in Garden Walk Williamsville and Open Gardens. Jay’s utopia—Le Petit Matin (which means early morning) is described in the Open Gardens catalog as “a semi-formal garden that pays homage to nature’s transitions and transformations. Nestled near Amherst State Park, mixed borders flow around a rustic-style home. Casual seating and conversation spots create vignettes that invite one to pause and embrace solitude or the company of friends.” Nan finds weeding cathartic and is aptly designated as the weeding specialist while daughter Olivia is deservingly titled the Undergardener who pitches in during spring and fall cleanups.
So the next time you are digging in your garden and someone comes along and asks “May I see your garden?” Will you choose to share it with the world?
Colleen O’Neill Nice is a horticulturist who is passionate about plant propagation and enjoys nurturing her garden in Clarence, New York.
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