This garden that I toured a couple of weeks ago, near the New Jersey shore, is a great example of what unexperienced designers can do if they pay careful attention to design and plantings when touring other gardens.
The homeowners spent summers touring gardens in Europe, took lots of notes and photos, and then tried to duplicate aspects of what they saw when they returned back home.
The result is a garden with a lot of separate "rooms" or seating areas, divided by plantings and/or arbors that signal an "entry" into another space. The pond-like swimming pool is the main element in the back yard, but I particularly liked the contrasting colors of the plants around the swimming pool. Too many conifers for my own particular taste, but nevertheless the site has an open, spacious feeling and the evergreens also provide a lot of privacy when you're in the pool itself.
The day I visited, the roses were in full bloom, along with lavender, peonies, and many other perennials. And it was obvious from the azaleas, viburnums, lilacs, hydrangeas and rhododendrons that this garden has something that's pleasant to look at almost any time of year.
The homeowner, Mrs. Furman, employs a team of gardeners to help her keep things in shape, but there are some lovely touches that she obviously noted during her travels.
There's an ivy-covered garden house that contains all the tools for gardening; a pergola that you discover around back of the pool, perfect for secluded dining; an espaliered fruit tree in the front of the house; long and beautiful borders; a rose that climbs up a corner of the house and cascades down over the windows.
This garden in Rumson, NJ, owned by Beliza Ann Furman, is frequently opened to visitors, so watch the garden tour listings in your area.
(click on photos to enlarge)
(images ©jane berger)
I love the design of the garden it seems very peacful and just a palce to relax and enjoy thanx for photos
Posted by: Mr. carriage clocks | June 17, 2009 at 03:40 PM