Object Details
- General
- With time, energy and talent a steep one-third acre suburban lot was transformed into a private, leafy sanctuary terraced on three levels with stone steps, a brick patio, rambling walkways, three reflecting pools with a waterfall between two of them, and a distinctive collection of ericaceous ( acid-loving) shrubs, including some rhododendrons hybridized by the owner. The garden was overgrown and Norway maples, ashes, mulberries and other weed trees had to be cleared out before the transformation could begin. The grading was done by hand, with the owners moving soil in wheelbarrows. A brick patio was built directly behind the house and ground covers, rhododendrons, azaleas and mountain laurels were planted. Native rocks were gathered on excursions to the country, flagstones were reaped when the town replaced its sidewalks, and stone capstones were salvaged from an old school building that was to be demolished. The owners used the rocks to build the walls that define the terraces, built steps from the flagstones, and used the capstones as pedestals. Eventually they built and planted their first reflecting pool on the lowest level. A redwood tree was planted to disguise a telephone pole and English and American ivies were grown over chain link fencing as living borders that kept dogs out of the garden.
- A long narrow driveway connects the house to the street and the bed running along one side was planted with spring bulbs, flowers, and shrubs. The rest of the perimeter of the property was planted with evergreen hemlock, rhododendrons, yew and English holly for privacy. There was a small patch of grass planted on each level of the garden that acted as a breathing space between dense foliage plantings. Since the soil was acidic most of the flowering in this garden was early in the season as rhododendrons, foxgloves, and other shrubs, bulbs, and trees bloomed sequentially from April until July. In the heat of summer the garden was a shady, green compilation of shapes and textures.
- The owner built a Nearing frame for propagation of hybrid rhododendrons. The frame stays closed so the seedlings are kept warm and moist. Some grew to size and were planted in the garden. Evergreens and other trees were pruned up to let in light for under-plantings. Plants that thrived in Pam's Garden grew in mostly shady and acidic conditions, although heath did not survive the heat of the New Jersey summers.
- Persons associated with the garden include Harden (former owner, 1940s-1956); Pamela and James Proctor (former owners, 1956-2010).
- Provenance
- Garden Club of Englewood
- Collection Creator
- Garden Club of America
- Place
- Pam's Garden (Englewood, New Jersey)
- United States of America -- New Jersey -- Bergen County -- Englewood
- Topic
- Gardens -- New Jersey -- Englewood
- Provenance
- Garden Club of Englewood
- See more items in
- The Garden Club of America collection
- The Garden Club of America collection / Series 1: United States Gardens / New Jersey
- 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.
- Custodial History
- The Garden Club of Englewood facilitated the submission of this garden's documentation.
- Archival Repository
- Archives of American Gardens
- Identifier
- AAG.GCA, File NJ152
- Type
- Archival materials
- Collection Citation
- Smithsonian Institution, Archives of American Gardens, The Garden Club of America collection.
- 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.
- Bibliography
- This property is featured in "A Perfect Example of What an Amateur can Achieve" by Joan Lee Faust, The New York Times, May 8, 1966; "Oasis" by Jane Pepper, Plants Alive, October 1979; "On Several Levels" by Margaret Parke, Horticulture, May 1988.
- Scope and Contents
- The folder includes worksheets, photocopies of articles, plant lists, and other information.
- 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.
- Record ID
- ebl-1643208220039-1643210181842-0
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