located, sloping to a bay. Here is one of the favored gardens where old
trees take an important part; in fact, of such consequence are they that
the garden was undoubtedly made to the scheme of the trees and the water
beyond--a beautiful sanctuary of blossoms and green life, shut in from
the discord of the outside world.
[Illustration: PLATE 35
"Mariemont," Newport, R. I. Mrs. Thomas J. Emory
_From a photograph, copyright, by Miss Johnston--Mrs. Hewitt_]
[Illustration: PLATE 36
"The Elms," Newport, R. I. Edward J. Berwind, Esq.
_From a photograph, copyright by Miss Johnston--Mrs. Hewitt_]
[Illustration: PLATE 37
"Vernon Court," Newport, R. I. Mrs. Richard Gambrill
_From a photograph by Alman & Co._]
[Illustration: PLATE 38
"Villaserra," Warren, R. I. Reverend Joseph Hutcheson
_From a photograph lent by C. A. Platt, Esq._]
CONNECTICUT
Connecticut gardens are many, both inland and along the shores of the
Sound. Those of the hilly western section have the advantage of a
somewhat cooler altitude. Otherwise it is unnecessary to give further
details as to climatic conditions,[3] as the northern boundary is about
a hundred miles distant from northern New Jersey and the temperatures
differ but little, although of course every hundred miles northward
makes gardening a somewhat simpler proposition, because of slightly
cooler conditions as well as a shortened flower season.
In a reputed true story of the long-ago settlement of Old Saybrook there
is mention of a woman's flower-garden, doubtless the earliest on Long
Island Sound. Here the sheltered inlets and bays must have seemed a
welcome haven to our Pilgrim fathers from the wind-swept coast of
Plymouth, whence they had wandered, probably seeking fertile farmland.
The gardens of this State, with some notable exceptions, are mainly
those of a simpler type, made and tended by their owners, who living in
them, will continue to beautify them more and more as time goes on.
These unpretentious creations of flower lovers often show originality
not always found in gardens of a more formal design, and might be
considered typically American.
Following the idea of simplicity, the first two illustrations of this
chapter portray the "lovesome spot," where flowers predominate, with
nothing to recall the splendor of other lands. A place for the harboring
of flowers for the sake of the flowers, and this was surely the thought
that brooded over the first New England gardens planted in the early
half of the seventeenth century, when American gardens had their
beginning.
The glimpse through the arched gateway of the garden at
Knock-Mae-Cree--in old Irish, Hill of My Heart--(Plate 168), and the
curtailed view of the flowery planting in the Woodside garden stimulate
a longing further to penetrate into these lovely sanctums.
The garden at Elmwood is partly illustrated in the accompanying
picture--it is further gracefully adorned with pergola and pool.
Liberally designed without being elaborate, it has a charm that is all
its own.
Of quite another character is the perfect formal garden at Pomfret
Center, appealing to the garden lover for its surpassing beauty in
flower bloom, enhanced by the graceful architectural lines of the
buildings surrounding the enclosure, and giving it the sense of complete
privacy.
Still another type of garden seen occasionally in America is that at
Branford House, a magnificent estate at Groton near New London, and one
of the famous places of that popular summer resort. This stately garden
suggests some of the foreign gardens familiar to us through travel and
books.
FOOTNOTES:
[2] See also the frontispiece.
[3] These climatic conditions are explained in New Jersey chapter.
[Illustration: PLATE 39
"Woodside," Hartford, Conn. Walter L. Goodwin, Esq.
_From a photograph by The J. Horace McFarland Co._]
[Illustration: PLATE 40
"Elmwood," Pomfret, Conn. Vinton Freedley, Esq.
_From a photograph by Miss E. M. Boult_]
[Illustration: PLATE 41
Pomfret Centre, Conn. Mrs. Randolph M. Clark
_From a photograph by Miss E. M. Boult_]
[Illustration: PLATE 42
"Branford House," Groton, Conn. Morton F. Plant, Esq.]
[Illustration: PLATE 43
Pomfret Centre, Conn. Mrs. Randolph M. Clark
_From a photograph by Miss E. M. Boult_]
IV
NEW YORK
There are gardens, old and new, around the many wealthy cities of this
great State, through the upper section, near Buffalo, Utica, Syracuse,
Albany, etc., as well as to the south. It must suffice to give a few of
the most picturesque views obtainable, almost all of which belong to
places within one hundred miles of New York City.
The garden at Auburn offers a vision of flowers in glorious profusion,
combined with perfect order, which latter condition is not always easily
attainable when plants are allowed a certain amount of freedom. The
location of this garden, in western New York not far from Lake Ontario,
is in about the latitude of northern Massachusetts--a climate congenial
to flowers.
A particular type of garden often predominates in some localities on
account of the conformation of the land; as, for instance, in a
mountainous section like Tuxedo Park, where the places are scattered
over hilly woodland country, many of the gardens naturally develop into
those of terraces, or else, ideal opportunities have created the
rambling wild garden with winding paths, shaded pools, ferns and
flowers. A glimpse of one of this kind is to be had in an accompanying
illustration--an exquisite bit of semi-cultivated wildness that moves
one to wish to see beyond the picture's limits.
Among its formal gardens, Tuxedo at present has nothing more imposing
than the one at Woodland. The wall-beds contain perennials in mass
against the vine-clad background, and the central fountain is framed in
broad beds of Roses, in bush and standard form. This garden's stately
effects are enhanced by the richly developed forms of clipped evergreens
in Boxwood and various Retinosporas, to all of which age, as must ever
be the case, lends force and dignity.
The Cragswerthe garden, a spacious plan on three connecting terraces,
charmingly exemplifies the results obtainable by the exercise of good
taste upon desirable opportunities. Each terrace illustrates, in harmony
with the whole, a special beauty of its own.
The hill gardens usually have also the advantage of a landscape
background, as a rule a pleasant feature also in the Mount Kisco region
of Westchester County, with its numerous hilltop homes. A garden with a
view possesses a setting all its own; one that can hardly be imitated in
that particular landscape at least, varying under the changing clouds,
and therefore never monotonous. Such also is the opportunity in many
Hudson River places, and only those who have lived in the highlands by
this most beautiful of American rivers know the charm of the
mountainsides, with their deep ravines and river vistas.
There is space for but a few of the river gardens in these limited
pages. The one at Blithewood, Barrytown-on-Hudson, is a charming example
of a more modern garden, beautifully located and planted especially for
May, June, and September. A vine-covered brick wall surrounds it on
three sides, and a terra-cotta balustrade is the boundary on the river
side. Chinese Junipers, not supposedly very hardy, are, however, the
well-grown, clipped evergreens in sight. Barrytown is about a hundred
miles from New York.
Up on the Beacon Mountain the Wodenethe gardens were begun about
seventy-five years ago, remaining ever since in the same family, and
always celebrated for their beauty, due doubtless to the devoted and
skilful care continuously given them. Trees, shrubs, and vines are rich
in maturity; the impress of Father Time has so kindly marked the place,
that of the older gardens Wodenethe is probably the finest on the
Hudson.
Not far away there was once another garden. Possibly there is nothing
fairer than the dearest memories of childhood--sometimes doubtless
wonderfully interwoven with the gossamer-like stuff of which air-castles
are made--and so it is with deep satisfaction that the author can dwell
upon views of an old garden relying on something more real than
semi-dreams. To be able to duplicate this happy place for some other
fortunate children would be a joy indeed, and some day the opportunity
may be realized while the dream still lives. Nearly three acres of land
might be required to contain the broad beds bordered with peach, plum,
pear trees and shrubs, and edged with flowers--the great centre spaces
filled with vegetables or small fruits. The outer court of this garden,
on three sides, was formed by two rows of arching apple trees, as shown
in an accompanying illustration. The fourth side was a lane running
between an evergreen hedge and a line of Poplar and nut trees. The outer
walks were broad, the inner intersecting paths were narrower; the tall
planting in the various beds prevented a view from one path to another,
and this was half of the garden's fascination to the children who played
there in the games of make-believe. Always there was something
unexpected awaiting them around the corner. Blissful the chance to
become suddenly lost in grape vines, corn, or dense shrubbery when the
world seemed to consist of just tree-tops, sunlight, flowers, fruits,
and birds! What a contrast to the life of the average fortune-favored
child of the present period!
Echo Lawn is another lovely place near the river, as old, too, as
Wodenethe, extensive in acres, abounding in splendid trees, and full of
a beauty and charm peculiarly characteristic of the old places on the
Hudson. The gardens, although of a later-date creation, are admirably
fitted to the surroundings, and with pools, wall basins, and flower
planting, hardly discernible in the illustration, are a rich addition to
the noted river places.
Twenty miles to the west of the Hudson River is Meadowburn Farm--famous
through its owner, the author of "Hardy Garden" books. Two photographs,
not hitherto published, must alone represent the acres of bloom on this
interesting place. In describing it, eight gardens must be considered
rather than _the_ garden. The Evergreen Garden (shown here), the May
Flowering Hillside, the Lily and Iris Garden, the Pool Garden, the
Perennial Garden, the Cedar Walk, the Vegetable Garden, bordered with
flowers, and the Rose Garden. A rare treat for garden lovers who visit
there by special arrangement.
At Ridgeland Farm, in Westchester County, the owner has shown that the
smallest garden possible when fitted to artistic surroundings and filled
with harmonious bloom can, as a garden and as a picture, satisfy our
craving for the beautiful quite as completely as a subject on a much
larger scale. This fair little plot, with its brick paths and gay
blossoms, continues in bloom for several months, which, in spite of
narrow beds, is always possible in a well-planned and carefully tended
garden.
New York includes within its borders the climate of all the New England
States, and, besides, the atmosphere of its lake shores and the milder
sea climate of New York City and Long Island. Between the high altitudes
of the Adirondacks on the north and the sea-level of Long Island on the
south there is a difference of nearly four weeks in the opening of
spring. Within a forty-mile radius of New York City and westward in the
same latitude Daffodils appear about April 15; early Tulips and Phlox
divaricata the last of April; late Tulips May 10; Lilies-of-the-Valley
May 15; German Iris May 22 (florentina alba a trifle earlier); and by
May 25 Lupins, Columbine, Pyrethrum hybrid, and Oriental Poppies, etc.,
arrive; Roses, Peonies, etc., about June 1; Sweet William, Anchusa, and
their companions June 5; Campanula medium June 15; Delphinium June 20;
Hollyhocks July 1 or a few days earlier. At the eastern end of Long
Island Tulips, Lily-of-the-Valley, Roses, shrubs and tree foliage appear
about a week later than the same near the city of New York. In our
extremely variable climate it is impossible to have fixed dates for the
opening of bloom. It must depend upon whether spring is early or late,
which sometimes causes a difference of a week or ten days in the
appearance of the flowers. Lily-of-the-Valley and German Iris seem less
affected by variable springs than other plants. It is perfectly safe
near Manhattan Island to plant out tender annuals May 25, and many
venture it by May 15. Killing frost may be expected between October 1
and November 1--rarely earlier than October 1.
Forty-five miles north of the city of New York, in such higher altitudes
as Mount Kisco or Tuxedo Park, the spring opens about a week later.
Within this radius of the city the summer thermometer occasionally rises
above seventy-eight degrees, and in winter it may average possibly
thirty to forty degrees above zero; only a few days know zero weather,
and rarely does it drop below. At least once a winter there will come a
period of weather as mild as fifty to sixty degrees, when one almost
fears the premature appearance of some of the plants. It is on account
of the thaws as well as the cold that the plants require a moderate
covering to keep the ground as far as possible frozen hard and
undisturbed by the sun, as frequent thawing injures the roots.
A garden at the other extreme of the State, in the Adirondack Mountains,
planted to begin with early Tulips, Phlox divaricata, and others of this
period, will make its display about June 1. Lilies-of-the-Valley arrive
soon after June 8; German Iris, Lupin, Pyrethrum, Oriental Poppy about
June 15; Sweet William and Roses near July 1; Delphinium July 15;
Hollyhocks July 25. Tender annuals are planted out about June 10, and a
frost after that date is of rare occurrence. The first killing frost of
autumn may be expected between the 15th and 20th of September. While the
thermometer in summer fluctuates between sixty and eighty degrees, it
often falls in winter to thirty degrees below zero. The hardy plants are
well protected under the heavy snow covering which is usually the winter
condition there.
[Illustration: PLATE IV
An outer walk
The author's childhood garden
_From a photograph, colored by H. Irving Marlatt_]
[Illustration: PLATE 44
Auburn, N. Y. Mrs. C. D. MacDougall]
[Illustration: PLATE 45
Auburn, N. Y. Mrs. C. D. MacDougall
_From photographs by Emil J. Kraemer, by courtesy of Wadley & Smythe_]
[Illustration: PLATE 46
Section of a wild garden at Tuxedo Park, N. Y.
_From a photograph by C. P. Hotaling_]
[Illustration: PLATE 47
"Woodland," Tuxedo, N. Y. Henry L. Tilford, Esq.]
[Illustration: PLATE 48
A garden in three terraces
"Cragswerthe," Tuxedo, N. Y. Mrs. Samuel Spencer
_From photographs by Jessie Tarbox Beals_]
[Illustration: PLATE 49
"Blithewood," Barrytown-on-Hudson, N. Y. Mrs. Andrew C. Zabriskie]
[Illustration: PLATE 50
"Wodenethe," Beacon-on-Hudson, N. Y. Mrs. Winthrop Sargent
_From a photograph by Jessie Tarbox Beals_]
[Illustration: PLATE 51
"Wodenethe," Beacon-on-Hudson, N. Y. Mrs. Winthrop Sargent
_From a photograph by Jessie Tarbox Beals_]
[Illustration: PLATE 52
The centre section]
[Illustration: PLATE 53
The outer boundary
The author's childhood garden, Newburgh-on-Hudson, N. Y.]
[Illustration: PLATE 54
"Echo Lawn," Newburgh-on-Hudson, N. Y. Thaddeus Beals, Esq.
_From a photograph by Jessie Tarbox Beals_]
[Illustration: PLATE 55
The evergreen garden]
[Illustration: PLATE 56
A path in the perennial garden
"Meadowburn," Warwick, N. Y. Mrs. Helen Rutherfurd Ely]
[Illustration: PLATE 57
"Ridgeland Farm," Bedford, N. Y. Mrs. Nelson Williams
_From a photograph by F. Seabury_]
LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK
In considering the gardens belonging to the State of New York, its most
favored garden centre is undoubtedly Long Island. Here soil and climate
combine to encourage both vegetables and flowers. And on the shores,
particularly of the south side and eastern end, the most satisfactory
bloom is obtainable as a rule with less trouble than is expended upon
the flowers of the interior. Not that Long Island is secure from periods
of drought and visitations of rose-bugs, but on the whole the plants
weather the obstacles better here than in other places of this latitude.
There is a marked softness in the winter climate especially near the
sea. Possibly nowhere else except in southern California does the Privet
hedge make as remarkable growth as on the south shore, and near the west
end there are highly prized specimens of old Box. Southampton, at the
eastern end, in proportion to population has probably a greater number
of gardens than any town in the State, almost all of them designed and
developed by their owners, who have thus delightfully expressed their
love for flowers.
Most soul-satisfying, unique in many points, and overflowing with bloom
all summer is Mrs. Wyckoff's garden at Southampton. Within three hundred
yards of the beach it is truly a seaside garden, but the great Privet
hedges, fourteen feet high, make perfect windbreaks for the protection
of its bloom. Connected by arched openings in the Privet there are other
enclosures for various planting schemes, and noticeable is the rather
unusual variety of flowers growing in these several lovely gardens. The
color grouping in the long, broad beds against the tall Privet
background is as perfect as any planting known. The arbors on either
side of the garden proper are formed of arches of Dorothy Perkins and
Cedar trees alternating--the Cedars are bent and strapped at the top to
produce a curve. The effect is both unusual and delightful.
In the same place but farther from the sea is another famous garden, at
The Orchard, the estate of James L. Breese, Esq. The garden was started
about 1905 and is entirely original in design. The artistic sense of the
owner is responsible for the dexterous touches which beautify the garden
and pergolas. Neither photography nor word-picture could do justice to
the exquisite harmony of coloring throughout this wonderful place, where
bloom is continuous over a long period.
Fashioned in Box-edged parterres after the old-time plan and dear to the
heart of Americans is such a place as the sunny Box garden at The
Appletrees, so charmingly portrayed in this chapter. There is a
sweetness and trimness in its simplicity intermingling with the flowers
to make it one of the fairest of garden-plots.
We dwell with delight upon the picturesque view of a section of Mrs.
Curtis's garden which might well have been taken from an English garden,
so closely does it resemble that type which has been our inspiration
more especially during the last ten years. In America the walled garden
is found to be useful near the sea, and not undesirable in the cooler
northern interior, but by many experts it is not advised in a warm
climate, where it prevents the free circulation of air within its
enclosure, from which condition some plants may suffer.
In the near-by hamlet of East Hampton, Mrs. Lorenzo Woodhouse has an
ingenious scheme of connecting formal gardens that are as remarkable in
conception as they are exquisite in color harmony. In length the plan is
considerably greater than the width, and the long vista from end to end
presents to the artist's eye a lovely picture of flowers, pool, and
arches.
Near by, on Huntting Lane, the wild garden belonging to R. Cummins,
Esq., is considered the best piece of work of its kind in the country.
It is wonderfully composed with natural pools and streams, tea-houses
and rustic bridges suggestive of the Japanese art, yet lovelier than the
trim Oriental type of water garden because so delightfully wild and
overgrown with massive plants, vines, and shrubs, without, however,
being disorderly in appearance. It is an especially rare treat in early
July at the season of Japanese Iris.
At the west end of Long Island, near New York, gardens are almost as
plentiful as those in the region of the Hamptons. For lack of space the
illustrations of the lovely garden at Manor House, Glen Cove, and the
picturesque pool at Cedarhurst must alone represent this section. Later
periods of bloom succeed the Tulips at the Manor House, giving
continuous color all summer to this charming place. The view of Mr.
Steele's garden at Westbury is a fine example of an ideal hillside
planting leading to the flower-beds on a lower level.
* * * * *
Probably the oldest garden in New York State is the one at Sylvester
Manor, on Shelter Island, between the shores of Long Island and
Connecticut. This charming little flower-plot is reached by a short
flight of descending steps. Some of its old Boxwood appears in the
illustration of the pool which is a part of the garden scheme. The
original owners of Shelter Island were the Manhasset Indians. "In 1651
Nathaniel Sylvester came from England with his young bride, and here
they planted the Box, still one of the wonders of the place, and erected
the first manor-house with its oak doors and panels and mantels fitted
in England, and brick tiles brought from Holland. The present house was
built in 1737 with enough of the woodwork of the old house to maintain
symmetry in traditions, and stands to-day as it has stood the better
part of two centuries, filled with its old furniture, paintings, and
curios. Here is kept the cloth of gold left by Captain Kidd and many
other things that time and space forbid mentioning." The old homestead
has always remained in the family in direct descent.
[Illustration: PLATE V
At the hour of sunset
Southampton, L. I. Mrs. Peter B. Wyckoff
_After an autochrome photograph by Miss Johnston--Mrs. Hewitt_]
[Illustration: PLATE 58
Arbor of cedars and roses alternating
Southampton, L. I. Mrs. Peter B. Wyckoff
_From a photograph by Jessie Tarbox Beals_]
[Illustration: PLATE 59
"The Orchard," Southampton, L. I. James Lawrence Breese, Esq.
_From a photograph, copyright, by Miss Johnston--Mrs. Hewitt_]
[Illustration: PLATE 60
"The Orchard," Southampton, L. I. James Lawrence Breese, Esq.
_From a photograph, copyright, by Miss Johnston--Mrs. Hewitt_]
[Illustration: PLATE 61]
[Illustration: PLATE 62
"The Orchard," Southampton, L. I. James Lawrence Breese, Esq.
_From photographs, copyright, by Miss Johnston--Mrs. Hewitt_]
[Illustration: PLATE 63
"The Appletrees," Southampton, L. I. Mrs. Henry E. Coe
_From a photograph by Jessie Tarbox Beals_]
[Illustration: PLATE 64
"The Appletrees," Southampton, L. I. Mrs. Henry E. Coe
_From a photograph by Jessie Tarbox Beals_]
[Illustration: PLATE 65
Southampton, L. I. Mrs. G. Warrington Curtis]
[Illustration: PLATE 66
East Hampton, L. I. Mrs. Lorenzo E. Woodhouse
_From photographs by Miss Johnston--Mrs. Hewitt_]
[Illustration: PLATE 67
East Hampton, L. I. Mrs. Lorenzo E. Woodhouse
_From a photograph by Miss Johnston--Mrs. Hewitt_]
[Illustration: PLATE 68
The wild garden
_From photographs by Miss Johnston--Mrs. Hewitt_]
[Illustration: PLATE 69
The wild garden
East Hampton, L. I. Stephen Cummins, Esq.]
[Illustration: PLATE 70
"Manor House," Glen Cove, L. I. Mrs. John T. Pratt
_From a photograph by The J. Horace McFarland Co._]
[Illustration: PLATE 71
Cedarhurst, L. I. Samuel Kopf, Esq.
_From a photograph, copyright, by Miss Johnston--Mrs. Hewitt_]
[Illustration: PLATE 72
Westbury, L. I. Charles Steele, Esq.]
[Illustration: PLATE 73
"Manor House," Glen Cove, L. I.
_From photographs by The J. Horace McFarland Co._]
[Illustration: PLATE 74
Ancient boxwood
"Sylvester Manor," Shelter Island
_From a photograph by David Humphreys_]
V
NEW JERSEY