Louise Jordan's Garden was started in 1950, when the house was built and trees, including live oak, crabapple, purple leaf plum and cherry, were planted. The one-acre property includes large swathes of lawn used for family games, a tennis court, and a large terrace behind the house used for entertaining. A mature cedar elm tree planted in 1974 shades that terrace. Around the perimeter of the property are deep garden borders planted with flowers, ferns, fruit trees and shrubs, with a circular rose bed sited in the lawn just beyond the terrace. The beds and borders behind the house and surrounding the terrace are circular or curving in shape while the raised beds in front of the house are rectangular.
Some of the garden's flowers are self-sowing, such as nasturtium and larkspur. A greenhouse is located in the back corner of the property, with quince growing alongside. Azaleas and dogwood were planted in front of the house in 1968 on the occasion of the present owner's wedding. The early garden was designed by Dallas landscape architect Joe Lambert, known for introducing simplified shapes and a particular shade of green paint to the region. The original design included a horse stable and riding arena that were removed in 1958 when Dallas landscape architect Naud Burnett redesigned the garden, relocating a large vegetable garden to make room for the tennis court. Few of the original 30 live oak or fruit trees remain.
Other features include garden statuary of St. Francis of Assisi, a pastoral tableau, stone rabbits, and metal reindeer.
Persons associated with the garden include Joe Lambert (landscape architect); Houston Bliss (landscape architect); Naud Burnett (landscape architect circa 1958).
Related Materials:
Louise Jordan's Garden related holdings consist of 1 folder (14 35 mm. slides (photographs))
Collection Restrictions:
Access to original archival materials by appointment only. Researcher must submit request for appointment in writing. Certain items may be restricted and not available to researchers. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
Collection Rights:
Archives of American Gardens encourages the use of its archival materials for non-commercial, educational and personal use under the fair use provision of U.S. copyright law. Use or copyright restrictions may exist. It is incumbent upon the researcher to ascertain copyright status and assume responsibility for usage. All requests for duplication and use must be submitted in writing and approved by Archives of American Gardens. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
Smithsonian Institution, Archives of American Gardens, The Garden Club of America collection.
Sponsor:
A project to describe images in this finding aid received Federal support from the Smithsonian Collections Care Initiative, administered by the National Collections Program.
