United States of America -- Virginia -- Virginia Beach
Fernwood (Virginia Beach, Virginia)
Scope and Contents:
54 digital images (2011-2020).
General:
Fernwood is located adjacent to the Princess Anne Country Club in Virginia Beach, Virginia. In 1998, the Mac and Steven Houfek became the fourth owners of 1.5 acre property when they purchased the two-story Mediterranean-inspired home constructed in 1950. Established in 1951, the garden now contains collection of unusual and interesting plants and a series of rooms including the Charleston Garden, the Italian Garden, the White Garden, the Japanese Garden, and a Mirrored Fountain garden. The property also features a woodland garden, a terraced garden, a shade garden, a pergola, statues, and a few water fountains.
With the exception of the Charleston Garden which was planned by Landscape designer William Pinkham, the design of Fernwood has been the vision and work of the current owners. The Houfeks began putting their own mark on the property with a gracious entry via a wide semi-circular driveway. Steps lead up from the gravel drive to a broad circular brick terrace, punctuated with the columnar forms of Thuja occidentalis 'DeGroot's Spire', a cultivar that is reminiscent of tall skinny cypress in Italian gardens. She added four triangular beds outlined with boxwood (Buxus sinica var. insularis 'Wintergreen'). Hydrangea paniculata 'Bobo', a floriferous dwarf version of a panicle hydrangea, fills the beds in summer. The terrace has a somewhat formal feel but adjacent beds temper that with their ebullience. To the left (heading east), a brick walk leads between a wall fountain and beds of Acanthus mollis. A trio of Cercis canadensis 'Ruby Falls' wear dresses of dark purple foliage on weeping branches that go all the way to the ground.
At the corner of the house a wrought iron gate leads to a Mirrored Fountain garden. A large mirror fastened to the garage wall visually expands the narrow area. The mirror also allows anyone standing in the kitchen watch birds take turns at a bubbling fountain. A semi-dwarf golden threadleaf false cypress (Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Filifera Aurea') and the Franklinia alatamaha were planted in this space by earlier owners.
A pair of white Lady Banks roses (Rosa banksiae) grow over an iron trellis at the entrance to Fernwood's first garden room, the White Garden. The room contains a brick walkway divided the space into four quadrants with a Buxus x 'Green Mountain' planted in each. Inspired by Vita Sackville-West's legendary garden at Sissinghurst Castle, each bed is lined with dwarf English boxwood (Buxus sempervirens 'Suffruticosa'), and dubbed the space the White Garden. Four moss-lined baskets fixed atop sturdy posts are planted with evergreen ferns and white flax. In summer, white annuals are added for a festive overflowing look. Two white Akebia vines (Akebia quinata 'Alba') are on the lattice fence. The back gate opens to a series of arches covered with Confederate jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) that end at a grouping of large white hydrangeas.
Adjacent to the White Garden is the Japanese Garden with a small waterfall and a Japanese maple appropriately named 'Waterfall' (Acer palmatum dissecta). An 8'-tall Lorapetalum chinense 'Plum Delight' is trimmed to mimic the shape of a bonsai. The Asian emphasis on form and texture makes for a restful, tranquil space throughout the year.
The large garden bordering the golf course features a large multi-stemmed Edgeworthia chrysantha (Chinese paper bush) and lush underplanting of bulbs and perennials. A sturdy pergola is planted with Stauntonia hexaphylla, an attractive evergreen climbing shrub that provides leafy shade.
Enclosed in the Charleston Garden is a semi-circular fountain that features a lead statue of a young boy holding two flutes spraying water into the pool. The garden is paved with flagstones interspersed with white and lavender mazus (Mazus repens) that looks like green mortar. An existing limbed-up camellia adds its sizable presence to one rear corner while a Styrax obassia (fragrant snowbell) occupies the other. Poets laurel (Danae racemosa) is planted under a Foster holly. Creeping fig (Ficus pumila) climbs up the masonry walls. Handsome wrought iron gates complete the homage.
Backing up to the Charleston garden is a woodland garden. A 150 feet path is carved through the woods bordering the property featuring a collection of frog and toad statuary. The garden entry just off the driveway hosts one of Mac's prize plants – Stachyurus praecox. The owner trained it over a length of curved rebar and the long racemes look like fringe on curtains.
The front garden boasts a sunny lawn with fringing mixed beds and a large hedge hiding it from the street. A large weathered flowerpot containing a topiary Juniperus chinensis 'Monlep' is embraced by the rotting stump of a long- gone tree. The lawn showcases the exciting redbud cultivar Cercis candensis 'Rising Sun'.
The Italian Garden is entered through two large Russian olives (Elaeagnus angustifolia) weaved into a living green arch. Concrete balusters set the path between the bushes. Evergreen plants are the major design element and the use of flowering plants is restrained. Acanthus is planted in a border along the driveway backed by a line of 'Emerald Green' arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis 'Smaragd') and separated by English boxwood. A rectangular bed surrounded by lawn is home classically-inspired statue of a woman. At opposite end of the bed, the Houfeks replanted a large camellia.
Persons associated with the garden design include: Mac Houfek (owner, 1998-), Steve Houfek (owner, 1998-), William Pinkham (design consultant, 1999-2004)
Provenance:
The Virginia Beach Garden Club facilitated the 2022 garden documentation.
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.
United States of America -- Pennsylvania -- Allegheny County -- Pittsburgh
Mark Meaders - David Kozloff Garden (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)
Scope and Contents:
32 digital images (2020-2022) and 1 file folder.
General:
Work on this three-quarter acre hillside garden began in 1988 when wild growth was cleared and desirable plants were pruned. The property faces north and its shape is mostly a long rectangle with additional space to one side at the bottom. In 1989 masses of impatiens were planted for summer color followed by quantities of bulbs planted in the fall. Then perennials were planted in any open space. Eventually the plants that adapted best came to dominate and provide successive blooms for three seasons. First in spring are yellow daffodils, purple Hesperia, and white spirea from the owner's mother's garden. Next are azaleas, rhododendron and dogwood, followed by self-seeding foxgloves in white, purple and pink. As these decline red and white roses, daylilies in many colors, and red crocosmia and monarda come into bloom in full summer. Hydrangeas in blue or white follow then fade to green along with limelight hydrangea. In September white Montauk daisies start up and bloom until hard frosts; an earlier garden from 1939 contributes red burning bush. Japanese maples and fothergilla complete the colorful seasons.
Bricks were salvaged from old houses in the neighborhood that were being demolished and used to build paths. A bamboo grove that is contained by a dry moat hides the secret garden: two benches in perpetual shade. A white marble spire purchased at auction is a focal point and complements a neighboring church steeple. There is a vegetable patch protected by deer fencing and a sunroom/greenhouse that was added to the house in 2005. Even before the sunroom was built the owner dug out a small pond with a waterfall at the house's back door. A larger 25-foot pond was created near the bamboo grove followed by a 12 by 15-foot pond with a waterfall best viewed from the house, another small pond outside the sunroom, and finally a 10 by 10-foot pond near the vegetable garden. As a final touch thousands of tiny lights were wrapped around trunks and into the canopies of small trees for nighttime illumination.
Persons associated with the garden's design: Cathryn Brandau, fellow gardener (1988- ); Robert Meaders, AIA, gardener and landscape designer (periodically); Mark Meaders, owner and gardener (1988- ).
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.
Spain -- Valencian Community -- Valencia -- Valencia
Date:
1960
General:
See lecture booklet - slide # 70. Near Zaragoza in Aragon - another hill town appears to carry on in old ways. Note the long rows of corn in the foreground.
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.
Spain -- Valencian Community -- Valencia -- Valencia
Date:
05/01/1959
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.
Mount reads: "Edward Van Altena, 71-79 W. 45th St., N.Y.C."
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.
No Names for Picture. See lecture booklet - "Small gardens and terraces" - slide # 7. Here the perennial border is dominated by coral bells, columbine, blue flax and yellow iris and spires of the gas plant.
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.
United States of America -- Maryland -- Montgomery County -- Potomac
Date:
2001 Jul.
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.
United States of America -- Massachusetts -- Worcester -- Worcester
Scope and Contents:
The folder includes worksheets, photocopies of articles, and other information.
General:
Beginning work in 1949 the gardens on this five acre property were a collaboration between landscape architect Fletcher Steele (1855-1971) and owner Helen Stoddard, and most of Steele's design and plantings were maintained for the next 50 years. The site slopes down behind the house and has outcroppings of rock. Steele envisioned a descending cornucopia shape inspired by the illusion of the downward spiral he had observed in Titian's painting "Bacchus and Ariadne", and had the shape he wanted carved into the earth by bulldozers. Descending levels of lawn, flower beds, and a pond were bordered by a ribbon of bluestone planted with tufts of blue fescue. Dry stone walls planted with maiden hair ferns were built from a porous fossilized rock dug out of a dried-up lake bed in Castalia, Ohio. Two sets of steps, one from the bluestone terrace behind the house and another below a bank of roses were covered with moss. White birches were planted to draw the eye to perennial borders, and spires of arborvitae were another focal point. The Art Deco style of the garden brought together the exotic and native by blending into surrounding woodlands that had plantings of juniper, mountain laurel, azaleas, dogwood, hemlock, birch, and elm.
The current owners resolved to preserve Steele's innovative design and vision as much as possible while changing some deteriorating hardscape and plants. The dry Castalia stone wall and moss-covered steps were no longer safe and had to be replaced when the house was renovated. Bluestone was used to rebuild the terrace behind the house and for steps set on fieldstone risers, and a new low wall was built from cinder blocks with stone facing. A walkway of fieldstone set in the lawn recalled an original path. The blue fescue grass was dying off, possibly due to soggy feet, and is being replaced by Japanese hakone grass which is mostly yellow. The arborvitae had grown too tall and were out of scale, many were knocked over by a storm, and some are being replanted. However many of the perennials in the borders and beds, the white birches and the rose and azalea banks are still growing.
Persons associated with the garden include: Robert and Helen Stoddard (former owners, 1941-1999); Fletcher Steele (1885-1971) (landscape architect, 1946-1949); Matt Mattus (gardener, 1975-1980); Isabel Wheat (horticulturist, 1999- ); Robert Karski (documentation, 2016).
Related Materials:
Steele-Stoddard-McDonough Garden related holdings consist of 7 folders (119 35mm slides; 4 transparencies; 9 digital images)
See others in:
Eleanor Weller collection, circa 1978-2006.
Rudy J. Favretti collection, circa 1950-2010.
Ken Druse garden photography collection, 1978-2005.
Corliss Knapp Engle slide collection, 1969-2001.
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.
The Kiernan Garden Designed by Michael Donnally (Westport, Connecticut)
United States of America -- Connecticut -- Fairfield County -- Westport
Scope and Contents:
The folder includes a worksheet, survey plans, garden tour script (2002), and magazine article.
General:
The property is located in Westport, Connecticut and consists of approximately two acres. Originally, the Kiernan Garden was part of the 1929 Juniper Hill Estate until the land was sold and divided in 1981. The Georgian-style manor house was built in 1991. Mr. Mike Donnally, Garden Designer, initiated the five year project for the Kiernan Garden in 1987. The garden incorporates free formed island beds and plantings of hardy trees and shrubs set against a native woodland backdrop. Design elements include a grass ellipse, hornbeam allee, espaliered fruit trees, informal grass garden walks and swimming pool. The main axis of the garden can be seen from the center of the terrace. Strong vertical lines continue throughout the garden in the repetition plantings of the slender, arborvitae cultivar 'deGroot's Spire'
Persons and organizations associated with the garden include: George and May Peterson Tompkins (former owners, 1929); William James Wood (former owner, ca. 1930); Dr. Golden S. Lampert (former owner, 1981); Charles Cutler (architect of original house, 1929); Amelia MacDonald Cutler (landscape designer, ?); Nina Cuccio Teck (architect of Kiernan House, 1991); Michael Donnally (garden designer of Kiernan Garden, 1987-1994).
Related Materials:
The Kiernan Garden Designed by Michael Donnally related holdings consist of 1 folder (10 35 mm. slides)
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.
United States of America -- Illinois -- Cook County -- Evanston
Date:
1987 Jul. 15.
General:
Unknown photographer.
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.
House of Hope Presbyterian Church Garth (St. Paul, Minnesota)
United States of America -- Minnesota -- Ramsey County -- St. Paul
Date:
2002 Jan.
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.
"Little Quimper" view of the town from the river; spires of a cathedral rise above roofs; boats lie alongside quay. On stren of a scow is the word "Quimper."
United States of America -- District of Columbia -- Washington
Date:
circa 1880-1900
General:
front: Sold only by Underwood & Underwood, Baltimore, Md, Ottawa, Kas.
on back: caption in 6 languages
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.
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Forman H. Craton Collection, 1902-1983, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Sponsor:
Digitization of this collection was made possible by Andrew and Anya Shiva.
