Longue Vue Highlights
At the rear of the clubhouse is the Pink Terrace, which is the stage for the most spectacular feature of Longue Vue - the long view across the Allegheny River and valley several hundred feet below. The Pink Terrace features Japanese snowbell trees, a sourwood tree, a large pink crabapple tree and longstalk hollies - a difficult-to-find variety planted at the club in 1920, not long after it was introduced to the United States.

Depending on the time of year, the terrace will be covered with white blooms or glow with leaves that are a shiny fire-engine red.

The Evening Garden, near the front of the clubhouse, is filled with yellow and cream-colored flowers that look luminesent under the golden light of dusk. The garden includes Buddleia White Profusion, honeycomb, dahlias, Casablanca lilies and White Nancy.

Not far away are Bracken's Brown Beauties - Southern magnolia trees that bloom with 6-inch cream flowers. "The trees were hybridized at the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard in Boston, and the fragrance is breathtaking," Vernallis says.

On the first tee of the 18-hole, par-70 golf course, designed in 1924 by the legendary Scottish golf course architect Robert White, stands a perennial garden designed by Lindsay Bond Totten, president of the Botanic Garden of Western Pennsylvania. It includes Bear's Breeches, Powis Castle, Visions, Blue Indigo Baptista, Bath's Pinks, Ingwerson's Variety geraniums, Falso Sunflower and black-eyed Susan.

At the 13th tee, the White Garden includes oakleaf hydrangeas, Blue River II hibiscus, Snowbank Boltonia, White Profusion, Alpine Speedwell, Morning Light, ornamental grass and Gooseneck Loosestrife.

Longue Vue's large pond is highlighted by water irises and lily pads (with bullfrogs, of course), and resident bass, blue gill perch and visiting ducks. Nearby are white crabapple trees. "These are different from the standard white crabs you'll find at local garden centers," Vernallis points out. "Not only is the cut of the leaf different, but they bloom two weeks later in the spring, meaning the weather will be warmer and more golfers will be on the course to enjoy them."

And what about those golfers who may seem not to notice? Vernallis says the beauty reaches everyone at Longue Vue, even if it's not at a conscious level. "I was on the board of the Pittsburgh Zoo for a number of years, and one of the important lessons I learned there is if you have wonderful landscaping, people have a terrific experience."

Visitors to Longue Vue also get an educational experience, with Vernallis spending hours to write markers for each plant with its genus name, species name, common name and history.

"See what I mean about being crazy?" asks Vernallis, who, in his more sane moments, is co-founder and CFO of Logic Library Inc., a local technology firm, in Station Square. He is passionate about Longue Vue and the plans for the future. Vernallis and his team have a five-year plan for enhancing the club's horticultural beauty, and they hope the first step will be the addition at the 18th tee of an "architecturally interesting and unique" arbor-climbing garden with wisteria, roses and ornamental grapes, although this is not set in stone.

"The truth is that Longue Vue has been a part of me for 40 years," says Vernallis. "I grew up in the neighborhood; I caddied here; I shined shoes and cleaned clubs. I was one of the urchins in the community. So I have this wonderful connection and evolution here. I feel fortunate that now I'm a member and get to contribute to this truly beautiful place."

For more information about Longue Vue Club, call 412/793-2232 or visit them on the web.

Jonathan Wander is a regular contributor to Pittsburgh magazine's Home & Garden. His gardening and golf experience includes growing less-than-bountiful harvest tomatoes in a plastic pot and managing to hit the ball past the windmill on the third try (when lucky).

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