Madison -- The Secret Garden

Object Details

General: This secret garden lies behind an arched doorway in the high stucco wall that surrounds the 1.5 acre property that includes a 1910 English revival house with large Tudor style chimneys. The current garden that was conceived and installed in 2008 has four planting beds surrounded by hedges with a grass walkway down the center with a large fountain feature. The formality of the design was softened by the cool color scheme of perennials and flowering shrubs planted within the enclosed beds, including peonies and knockout roses. Trellises along the high walls support climbing roses while other trellises at the back of the house support morning glories. Mature trees and shrubs from earlier gardens on the site provide shade, including two crab apple trees growing in the back beds. A circular garden in front of the house also was replanted in soft shades that compliment the blue stucco building.; Persons associated with the garden include: James and Margeretta Webb (owners of the land); Mr. and Mrs. George Davidson (former owners, 1909-1925); Frederick and Carrie Sperry Beinecke (former owners, 1925-1949); Drew University (former owner, 1949-1953); Harrie Lindeberg (1879-1959) and John F. Capen (architects, 1909-1910); Thomas Spagnold (garden designer, 2008); Marta McDowell (garden designer and gardener, 2008-present).

Place: The Secret Garden (Madison, New Jersey); United States of America -- New Jersey -- Morris County -- Madison

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 Madison facilitated the submission of this garden's documentation.

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 Through Mem'ry's Haze by William S. Beinecke, Prospect Hill Press, 2000, pp. 33-37; and Growing up in the Rose City by William F. Redmond II, 1987, pp. 219-223.

Scope and Contents: The folder includes worksheets and photocopies of articles.

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.

Related Materials: The Secret Garden related holdings consist of 1 folder (17 digital images)