If you have questions, please email
us.
If you have questions, please email
us.
Gardens of San Francisco (2009)
Gardens
of Philadelphia and the Delaware River Valley (2009)
This
is an area steeped in history and blessed with some of this country's finest public
and private gardens. Stops included: Nemours
Mansion & Gardens; Brandywine
River Museum; Longwood
Gardens; Chanticleer;
and Scott Arboretum
at Swarthmore College
Gardens
of the Motor City (2008)
This
visit to southeast Michigan included: (1) Edsel and Eleanor Ford House & Gardens,
a handsome 60-room mansion built in the 1920's by Henry Ford's only son. The home
showcases exquisite interiors and works of art, while the grounds along Lake St.
Clair boast an informal design by noted landscape architect, Jens Jensen. (2)
Cranbrook, an expansive 319-acre campus of schools, museums, and sculpture built
with George and Ellen Scripps Booth's publishing fortune. We toured their lovely
home, designed by Albert Kahn, as well as the 40 acres of arts and crafts style
gardens. We visited architect Eliel Saarinen's nearby home, with its Art Deco
design and fabulous furnishings. (3) Meadow Brook Hall & Gardens is a masterpiece
of historic opulence built in the 1920's by Matilda Dodge Wilson, widow of auto
pioneer John Dodge, and her 2nd husband, lumber broker, Alfred Wilson. We enjoyed
their 110-room mansion, built with an old-world European look, furnished with
great art, and surrounded by garden 'rooms' of roses, perennials, and sculpture.
Also on the agenda were Matthaei Botanical Gardens, Detroit Institute of Arts,
and shopping at Bordine Nursery.
Hidden
Gardens of Chicago's North Shore (2007)
Amazing
sites along the glorious shores of Lake Michigan included exclusive visits to
private estates, historic homes and beautiful gardens. The first occasion was
touring with landscape architect, Craig Bergmann, whom you may have met previously
at the Horticulture Magazine Gardening Symposium in February. Pat LaCrosse hosted
an evening at her residence atop the John Hancock Building, where we enjoyed a
cocktail buffet while witnessing the glitz and glitter of the city by night. Other
stops were Chicago Botanic Garden; national award winning garden center, Chalet,
known for its fabulous design team; a visit with horticulture information specialist
Jennifer Brennan, who appears on ABC 7 Chicago; and a guided walking tour of Chicago's
Millennium Park
Gardens
and Art of Long Island and New York City (2007)
This tour included
some of the most exquisite and dynamic Country Place Era estates, botanical gardens,
and private gardens that Long Island and New York City have to offer. Long the
retreat for wealthy industrialists, socialites, and business tycoons, Long Island
features a sublime climate buffered by gentle sea breezes. Deep soils favored
not only farming, but also the development of exquisite estates along its famous
Gold Coast. The Great Gatsby is but one novel inspired by the area's fascinating
history and inhabitants. On its west end, we visited two famous former Country
Place Era estates, Old Westbury and Planting Fields, as well as lesser-known but
wonderful Bailey Arboretum and the John P. Humes Japanese Stroll Garden. Next
we visited the picturesque village of Southampton with its fine restaurants and
shops. Tours there included Robert Dash's artistic masterpiece, Madoo, and Jack
Lenor Larsen's LongHouse Reserve, where an outdoor collection of contemporary
sculpture blends seamlessly with his spectacular home. Other stops included the
handsome Parrish Art Museum and Bayberry Nursery. Horticulture and art abound
in New York City. We visited the restored Conservatory Garden in Central Park,
explored the medieval courtyards of The Cloisters, and absorbed the phenomenal
views and exotic plantings at Wave Hill, high above the Hudson River. We spent
a half-day at the New York Botanical Garden, with its rock, rose, and perennial
gardens, in addition to the famous Enid Haupt Conservatory, leaving time for city
shopping, shows, and museums.
Springtime
in Historic Charleston (2006)
With
its rich Colonial history and southern charm, Charleston provided a gorgeous backdrop
for the many gardens, homes, and plantations we visited in the spring. Taking
advantage of the city's 59th annual Festival of Houses & Gardens, we toured
intimate private gardens and sublimely beautiful riverfront plantations. The region's
annual spring display of azaleas, magnolias, and dogwoods were at their peak.
Our visit included a private tour of downtown Charleston; a lecture by Robert
Chestnut followed by a walking tour of six private gardens; Middleton Place, a
National Historic Landmark and our country's oldest landscaped gardens with breathtaking
views to the Ashley River; an oyster roast at Drayton Hall plantation; and a personal
tour of the former rice plantation and outdoor sculpture collection at Brookgreen
Gardens.
Historic
New Harmony, Indiana
(2006)
Our fall trip was an invigorating, thought-provoking visit to New
Harmony. Tucked away peacefully in the southwest corner of Indiana, New Harmony
features a unique mix of tranquility and sophistication. Its unusual heritage
began with Father George Rapp nearly two centuries ago as a spiritual sanctuary,
and shortly afterwards as an attempt at a secular Utopia led by Scottish social
reformer Robert Owen. Today New Harmony retains a remarkable collection of structures
from the Rappite and Owenite eras, as well as outstanding new buildings such as
Richard Meier's Athenaeum and intriguing gardens, labyrinths and other outdoor
spaces.
We delved into the history of two fascinating groups: The Rappites, a religious separatist group that settled in New Harmony in 1814 and turned the community into a manufacturing and commercial center; and Robert Owen and his followers, who purchased the town from the Harmonists in 1825 and sought to conduct a great social experiment that would create a Utopian society led by scientists, scholars and intellectuals pursuing a dream of equality.
Arriving in time for lunch, we toured the Richard Meier-designed Athenaeum and saw a film on New Harmony's history, then proceeded on to tours of David Lenz House, the Log Cabins and Solomon Wolf House. We had time to shop in The Mews (six rooms of antiques and books) and Arbor House before a reception at The Hoosier Salon Art Gallery. An elegant dinner at The Red Geranium was next. We completed the day with a special treat, a performance by Henry Ryder, an Indianapolis attorney who interprets Indiana's legendary poet, James Whitcomb Riley. Accommodations were at the lovely New Harmony Inn.
Our Sunday began with a light breakfast in the historic home of HortSoc members Peggy and George Rapp. Tours to the Granary, Carol's Garden and Phillip Johnson's 'Roofless Church' followed. After a pasta buffet overlooking Tillich Park, it was on to the Workingman's Institute and a viewing of the fabulous collection of Karl Bodmer's etchings and aquatints documenting the 1832-34 expedition of Prince Maximilian to the western territories.
Cincinnati Flower Show (2005)
Our half-day visit to the only flower show in North America sanctioned
by the Royal Horticultural Society featured more than thirty landscaped gardens,
dozens of container and window box displays, and numerous floral arrangements.
The day concluded with a driving tour of historic Spring Grove Cemetery & Arboretum,
which features 1,200 species of trees and shrubs.
Pacific Northwest (2005)
Our journey to the lush garden paradise of the Pacific Northwes included
stays in both the Seattle and British Columbia regions. Ringed by blue Pacific
waters, Vancouver is a city well endowed with wonderful gardens. Stops included
VanDusen Botanical Garden, the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden and Stanley
Park, in addition to many special private gardens. We traveled by ferry to picturesque
Victoria, featuring the world-famous Butchart Gardens, which were carefully crafted
from an abandoned quarry. In Seattle we toured the magnificent Bloedel Reserve
on Bainbridge Island and stopped at the marvelous Heronswood Nursery.
Ohio Revisited (2004)
In 1997, the first trip planned by the newly formed Horticultural Society Travel Committee was to northeastern Ohio. From May 12-15, 2004, thirty six members returned to Ohio, adding Cleveland and surrounding garden sites to Akron and Mansfield. At our first stop, Kingwood Center, we were greeted by director Chuck Gleaves, former IMA Director of Horticulture. Over lunch, Mark Zelonis updated Chuck on the exciting changes occurring at the IMA.
In Akron, we visited Stan Hywet Hall, one of the finest examples of Tudor Revival architecture in America. The 65-room mansion, built between 1912-1915, sits on more than 70 acres of gardens and grounds. The gardens were created by Warren Manning. The charming walled English garden, our favorite, has been restored to the original design intent of Ellen Biddle Shipman.
The next morning we toured the Gwinn estate and gardens overlooking Lake Erie. These gardens were also designed by Charles Platt, Warren Manning and Ellen Biddle Shipman. Gwinn and Stan Hywet are two of seven early 20th century estates featured in the "A Genius For Place" exhibit currently on view at the Lilly House.
A highlight of our tour was dinner and the symphony at Cleveland's Severance Hall. The ornate silver and cream walls in a trailing vine and circle design must be what the view is like inside a wedding cake. Beautiful!
The two private gardens we visited were quite different. The more structured garden designed by Russell Page featured pleached lindens lining the drive leading to a broad graveled courtyard. The house, a former stable, surrounds a pool and has a view almost to Cleveland. Eight gardens surrounded the house, each different in character. The other garden took advantage of a rolling site and was designed by a true plantswoman. She welcomed us with tea and homemade breads, described the garden with its collections of unusual plants and trees, and then turned us over to her head gardener and the three summer staff for tours. Our hostess answered all our questions and welcomed us to return any time.
We visited the Cleveland Botanical Garden to see its new Costa Rican and Madagascan biomes. At the Holden Arboretum, the candelabra primulas in shades of pink to deep red were a photographer's dream. We need more bogs in Indianapolis! Eliott Paine, the director, pointed out several of the arboretum's attractions and joined us for lunch at Lantern Court. This was an action-packed trip, but we couldn't have omitted a thing. Some of our members bought so many plants at our last stop, Quailcrest Gardens, that the plants had to share seats with us on the bus. But what's a good trip without some serious shopping? —Patty Wilkins Back to top
Our June 21 - July 5, 2004, travel itinerary to the region of northern England, the midlands and London was a great success. From the letters, notes and comments of many of the participants, the results far exceeded the expectations. We wish that all our members could have shared the experience.
The combination of art, architecture, decorative arts and gardens, parks and landscapes in historical context was quite overwhelming. To add to this we had the fortunate opportunity to dine in several great houses with the lord and lady of the properties. These memorable experiences to learn, exchange views and make new friends made for a once in a lifetime trip.
We started in the Manchester, England, Cheshire area with a visit to Arley House where we had coffee and tea with Patrick, the head gardener followed by Tatton Park house and landscape, then on to the Cavendish Hotel owned by the Duchess of Devonshire (the PBS "Duchess of Duke Street"). Then to Chatsworth for a day of gardens, house tour and special visit to the greenhouses and a lecture on the designer, Joseph Paxton. This was an awesome place and a great place for shopping.
Haddon Hall was not to be missed for the medieval house and terraced rose gardens. We were in the right area for the peak of rose season. On the way we stopped in Sheffield for a garden and house tour and luncheon with Sir Reresby and Lady Sitwell including a wonderful chicken and curry rice dish and Australian wines—great gardens, too!
Our next stop was York and a visit to Hardwick House and gardens and Harwood House and gardens. Both are large, steeped in history and containing fabulous collections of art and furniture. Castle Howard House and Gardens were especially memorable for the delphinium garden room and the rose gardens. In York, we had a special opening of Fairfax, a Georgian house with a wine and cheese reception and a lecture tour by the director. Afterwards, we had an evening tour of the gardens at Hovingham Hall followed by drinks and dinner with Mr. And Mrs, William Worsley. For this charming young couple, this was their first event after inheriting the property and its restoration. We were very honored!
The next day we started at the Thorp-Perrow Arboretum where our visit was made most memorable by the silver-haired owner stopping his motor bike to say hello. The trees were amazing with the featured kousa dogwood, silver fir, katsura tree, oak, beech, hornbeam, oak, horse chestnut and many others. A brief visit to Fountains Abbey, the largest ruin of its type, was followed by a stop at Newby House and Gardens, one of my favorites. The flower borders have been copied by others, but they are still the longest and the best. Also, the sunken garden, the fabulous kousa dogwoods and the perfect Georgian house are lovely in their setting. Harrowgate, a Victorian spa and a center for antiques also featured floral parks and the Royal Horticultural Society Harlow Carr Botanic Garden. Just in time we returned to York to freshen up for an evening visit to the gardens of Sutton Park and drinks and dinner with Sir Reginald and Lady Sheffield.
The Midlands were our next stop with accommodations at Fawsley Hall Hotel, Daventry a restored medieval country house. This day we had drinks and a buffet lunch at Drayton House with Mr. And Mrs. Lionel Stafford Sackville. This Tudor property has an 18th century facade and 17th century gardens. Afterwards we visited Broughton House, property of the Duke of Buccleuch, and Cottesbrooke Hall and Gardens through the courtesy of Captain and Mrs. Macdonald Buchanan. In the Guilsborough area we had lunch with Mr. and Mrs. Ian Pasley-Taylor. The house and gardens there were just perfect.
The next stop was the Old Rectory gardens in Sudborough by arrangement with Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Huntington. She is a real hands-on gardener and even teaches classes on garden design and horticulture. Our last day was spent with a visit to Waddesdon Manor, a newly restored garden in the French manner. Our final stop was at the Stowe, a National Trust Property maintained as an 18th century time-warp with its landscape setting and follies. We celebrated our journey with a farewell party that included drinks, dinner and prizes for all. In closing, a heartfelt thanks to those who attended our garden gate trip and helped to make it a success. —Helen Dickinson Back to top
Autumn Splendor in Louisville (2004)
The host for this fall foliage tour was Louisville, a city whose name honors King Louis XVI of France in gratitude for French aid in the American Revolution. Our tour featured Yew Dell Gardens, former estate and nursery of noted plant expert Theodore Klein; 150-year-old Cave Hill Cemetery with its diverse array of woody plants; Bernheim Arboretum's great collection of trees and brand-new "green" visitor's center; and a special exhibit at Speed Museum. The tour included private garden visits, fine dining, and knowledgable guides. Back to top