With May approaching, we’re coming to the end of the optimal time for landscape installations. One exciting project we got in under the wire, under the care of gardener Wendy Moses, was the renovation of the White Garden, a beautiful space designed for the benefit of Inn guests and also a popular wedding venue. Perhaps our most formal garden, Jenny Fitch oversaw its completion in 1988, soon after the adjacent Inn Building was completed.
The White Garden consists of symmetrical planting beds surrounding a water feature, bisected by sod walking paths, all enclosed by an elegant three sided pergola soaring over a brick walkway. The multiple paths and perspectives make this a very intense and satisfying garden setting.
Over the years, plants in the parterre had died, sod pathways had narrowed due to trimming, and compaction from foot traffic caused drainage problems. So, over stages this winter and spring, a new irrigation system was added, much of the garden was dug up, re-tilled and amended with soil, and new sod was added. Hundreds of ‘Soft Touch’ compact hollies were installed to create completely new parterres around each planting bed. ‘All things white’ is still the planting theme, but there’s a renewed focus on fragrant perennials and bulbs, and a move away from annuals.
The result has been wonderful. Now guests can walk two abreast through the sod pathways, sharing their observations; the beds are crisply defined from any angle, and the drainage and irrigation enhancements will support lush four season plant growth. We can’t wait to let this ‘new’ garden grow in a bit, but already it has transformed this peaceful retreat into a stylish showcase, ready for the next generation!