United States of America -- Iowa -- Polk -- West Des Moines
Scope and Contents:
The folder includes worksheets, photocopies of images, and other information.
General:
The 4.5 acre property was originally farmland and is surrounded by woodlands. When the current owners moved in they found a field of naturalized daffodils the following spring, numerous junipers planted in discrete beds near the house and garage, and two beds of ferns. Several additions to the 1950's house created new garden areas that were joined to surround the house and attached garage. Hundreds more daffodil bulbs have been added to the meadow over the years, and the other plantings are either deer resistant or are sprayed regularly. Trees include oak, shagbark hickory, pine, redbud and magnolia; shrubs include hydrangea, lilac, azalea, rose and forsythia. A large cement pad that covered a defunct deep well was reconfigured as a berm planted with serviceberry and euonymus. A two level brick patio was added, incorporating an existing shagbark hickory. The owners installed a hot tub instead of another water feature; later they replaced the tub with a fountain centered by an old mill wheel.
The extensive list of perennials in the foundation beds includes hosta, astilbe, clematis, daylily, hellebore, ornamental grass, peony, cone flower, Russian sage, Siberian and bearded iris, and spring bulbs. Wild flowers and ferns grow further out beyond the mowed lawn in the meadow and woodlands. Painted wooden cut-outs of a cow and calf are placed in the daffodil meadow during the warmer months. There also is a fenced cutting garden at a distance from the house and patio.
Persons associated with the garden include Robert L. and Cornelia Tidrick (former owners, 1854-1855); Shepherd and William Dunlap (former owners, 1855-1867); Lester Clark and Clark family members (former owners, 1867-1922); J.A. Mitchell (former owner, 1922-1957); Calvin and Eleanor Aurand (former owners, 1957-1974); Audrey Hirsch (patio design, 1986); Crose and Gardner (patio construction, 1986); Ted Lare Landscape Design (landscape design, 1989); Barbara J. Lyford (garden consultant, 1995); Linda Grieve of Perennial Gardens (landscape design, 2000-2005).
Related Materials:
Woodridge related holdings consist of 1 folder (20 digital images)
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.
