Garden Tour: Edith Wharton's The Mount
Inspired by The Grand Tour, the Author Designed Her Own Formal Gardens
Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected."
I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia. I've been writing about design online for quite a few years over at Hatch: The Design Public Blog.
Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe... More »
Earlier this week we explored the newly restored interior of The Mount, Edith Wharton's Berkshires home. Now it's time to explore the grounds! Wharton completed a European grand tour and subsequently penned a book called Italian Villas and Their Gardens that was published in 1904. She designed the formal gardens at The Mount herself to create a transitional space between the house and the property's woodlands, meadows and lake. Her niece, the renowned landscape architect Beatrix Farrand, was also involved in the design of the grounds. Here's a look.
More: Take a tour inside the house
More: Take a tour inside the house
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In Italian Villas and Their Gardens, Wharton observes "The Italian country house ... was almost always built on a hillside, and one day the architect looked forth from the terrace of his villa, and saw that, in his survey of the garden, the enclosing landscape was naturally included: the two formed a part of the same composition."
In keeping with her ideas about the siting of Italian country villas and their relationship to their gardens, Wharton placed the house on a rock outcropping to take in the views of the gardens, and beyond to Laurel Lake.
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In keeping with her ideas about the siting of Italian country villas and their relationship to their gardens, Wharton placed the house on a rock outcropping to take in the views of the gardens, and beyond to Laurel Lake.
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Allium, ladies mantle and astilbe are just a few of the perennials that create the undulating lines within the borders of the flower garden. We'll get over there in a moment.
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| This shows the formal axial plan of the house and gardens. The relationship between the landscape and the house was always a priority for Wharton as she designed the home.
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The formal garden on the right is the flower garden, which Wharton viewed from her bedroom window. The formal garden on the left is a sunken secret garden. |
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| The stables, seen from the main road. The approach to the house was designed by Wharton's niece, Beatrix Jones Farrand, who went on to become one of the most prominent landscape architects in America. Private Comment
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Farrand designed the entrance sequence in three parts. The first part is an 800-foot long straight allee of sugar maples. It passed an extensive kitchen garden she designed adjacent to the gatehouse (seen through the fog in this picture) which no longer exists. It also passed a greenhouse and the stables. Beyond those outbuildings it leads through the woods.
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| Next the road curves through beautifully designed woodlands, passing twice over a picturesque stream and small mounded hills. Private Comment
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| Wharton planted ferns and periwinkle extensively alongside the second part of the entry approach road. Private Comment
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Winding around part three of the design, a last curve leads visitors to a walled forecourt and the entry to the house.
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| From inside the forecourt, an opening also leads to an alternative house entry, a curved path. I was drawn as if by a magnet to this option when I visited (rather than entering the house right there), even though it was raining. Private Comment
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This path leads over the hillside and around the left side of the house ...
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| ... to the veranda. Private Comment
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Grassed terraces lead down from the center of the veranda to a long cross-axis, which is lined with linden trees and leads to formal gardens at either end.
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| The edge of each terrace is punctuated by hemlock hedges and clipped arbor vitae. Private Comment
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A view looking back up the axis to the house. Wharton knew that Italian gardens were "a prolongation of the house." This designed landscape navigates a formal transitional space between the house and the wilderness beyond.
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| Here's a view down the linden walk to the flower garden. A trellised niche marks the visual end of this axis, providing a backdrop for Wharton's dolphin fountain centered just before it. Private Comment
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Here is a closer look at the fountain. This garden is more French-inspired than Italian. Italian gardens were less about flowers and more about shapes and materials like stone, sculptural trees — both clipped and natural — and ornaments like statues.
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| Based upon Wharton's intents, more than 3,000 annuals and perennials have been planted in the flower garden as part of the extensive restoration of the property. Private Comment
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Beyond the fountain, a path that leads into the evergreens and on to the rest of the less formal grounds. This is a good example of the formal gardens prolonging the house and creating a transitional space into less tamed parts of the property.
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| Exiting the flower garden and looking back down the 300-foot-long linden-lined walk, one gets a hint of the sunken walled garden at the other end. Private Comment
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Again, the slope is navigated by a series of terraces down to a secret garden.
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| The secret garden is carved out of the woods on two sides and has a more rustic look, from the limited plant palette (mostly green and white, featuring astilbe prominently) to the rustic rock fountain. Beyond is a view through a meadow to a pond.
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In spite of its formal arrangement, the plantings and other materials in this garden make it an appropriate transitional space out into the less manicured areas of the estate. |
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| The secret garden is 80' x 80' square and very pleasing in proportion and scale. The area stands up to the vast grassed terraces, and the 10-foot walls stand up to the heights of the majestic trees beyond the garden. Private Comment
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| Restoring and recreating this garden was quite a feat, as it was completely overgrown. The rock fountain is the focal point and makes reference to natural materials found on the site. Private Comment
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Elements like this twig bench also give the garden rustic touches and reflects the more low-key atmosphere of summer cottages in the Berkshires. In fact, the design of The Mount is an excellent example of a transitional period in design between the over-the-top ornamentation of The Gilded Age seen in Newport, Rhode Island, and the back-to-nature "roughing it" attitude that followed with Great Camps in the Adirondacks.
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| This wall around the secret garden controls views to the wilderness beyond. Private Comment
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A view through this archway reveals a meadow and Laurel Lake.
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| This image shows how well-sited the house is atop the rock outcropping. Private Comment
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| A view from the third floor of The Mount. It shows the formal gardens which are an extension of the house, and the lake beyond. Private Comment
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Beatrix Farrand, like her aunt, lived a fascinating life, breaking free from the usual Brahmin expectations. Starting her career with her aunt and her connections, she went on to design Dumbarton Oaks, grounds at Yale University, and many other important projects. She is one of the premiere landscape architects in American history, and was the only female founder of The American Society of Landscape Architects.
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This is a very pretty edition of Wharton's book, Italian Villas and Their Gardens. My copy is paperback, but interestingly enough, it has a sketch of an Italian garden on the front that looks like it could have inspired the secret garden at The Mount.
Would you like to see a particular historic property explored on Houzz? If so, please let us know in the comments section.
Support the restoration and maintenance of The Mount
Take a tour inside The Mount
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Would you like to see a particular historic property explored on Houzz? If so, please let us know in the comments section.
Support the restoration and maintenance of The Mount
Take a tour inside The Mount
Comments
Denise Vilim says:
Thanks for the offer Becky. For me, even though I do not have any specific one in mind, I would love to virtually tour an older or historical succulent and/or cactus garden. I can never get enough of their beauty and am always looking for inspiration to assist in my own garden projects. Although, if I lived further north in a cooler climate, the Mount gardens would be all the inspiration I would need. It's just stunning!
10 months ago ·
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jannie says:
I am so glad that you've revealed this aspect of Edith Wharton. Having only studied her fiction and themes, and known generalities about her life as an author, the house and gardens at The Mount give me a new sense of awe of Wharton's multiple talents. Insofar as the landscaping goes, there is too much to admire. For being so grand, the garden appears to have embraced a natural topography. I wonder how much site alteration was done originallly. In any case, it is inspiring. I may not be able to afford a fountain but I'd certainly be able to create an interesting rock cairn in my garden as an homage to Wharton.
10 months ago ·
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Becky Harris says:
Aprilaries, I'll keep my eyes open for gardens with succulents - does anyone know of any famous ones? I'm as familiar with the Southwest U.S. as I am with the east coast.
Jannie, while obviously there was some intervention (like the flat terraces), the design does work well with the natural topography. Farrand demonstrated quite a knowledge of road engineering in her part of the design, but created the road so that it took advantage of the natural hillocks around it and the brook. Likewise, Wharton sited the house in a great spot so that the house could be up high and the formal gardens could be an extension that navigated the slope down to the lake.
Jannie, while obviously there was some intervention (like the flat terraces), the design does work well with the natural topography. Farrand demonstrated quite a knowledge of road engineering in her part of the design, but created the road so that it took advantage of the natural hillocks around it and the brook. Likewise, Wharton sited the house in a great spot so that the house could be up high and the formal gardens could be an extension that navigated the slope down to the lake.
10 months ago ·
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Laurie Mischel says:
After only knowing the name Edith Wharton from crossword puzzles...I am intrigued....intrigued enough to now have a list of books of hers to acquire. I can't wait to know this woman thoroughly. Thanks for the continued sharing of her treasures..
10 months ago ·
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sethson says:
A suggestion for another historic house tour is Viscaya in Florida; remarkable property with gorgeous interiors and lush gardens, and an entrance on the water that is magnificent. Wharton's gardens are a dream; just what I want to see when I think of verdant scenery interlaced with architecture. Fabulous.
10 months ago ·
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Becky Harris says:
Thanks sethson, I'll add that to my list!
Did you ever see the Gwynnie/Ethan Hawke version of "Great Expectations" (some of my pals called it "Low Expectations" but I liked it)? I believe it was shot in Florida and that decrepit old estate was sublimely beautiful. Your suggestion made me think of it.
Did you ever see the Gwynnie/Ethan Hawke version of "Great Expectations" (some of my pals called it "Low Expectations" but I liked it)? I believe it was shot in Florida and that decrepit old estate was sublimely beautiful. Your suggestion made me think of it.
10 months ago ·
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Becky, you are a love~ this is wonderful. At this time of year it is hard for me to think of anything but gardens and this is a treat, having been unfamiliar with this beauty. I have already put a hold on both your book recommendations at my local library too. I do have a request for a historic garden you will know, I am sure of it; Longwood Gardens and Winterthorpe. Not sure on that spelling..but you will most likely know them! Anything that features Native Plants is also welcome! Happy gardening!
10 months ago ·
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Becky Harris says:
Ah, Winterthur (sp?) I have a stack of photos from when I visited in the late '90s...somewhere!
10 months ago ·
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kathyforcum says:
Becky, this was really a great read...loved every word, appreciate all the time it must have taken to do this beautiful post..thank you
10 months ago ·
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Becky Harris says:
I am so thrilled you all are enjoying Edith's place so much. Thank you so much for your nice comments - they really make my day :)
10 months ago ·
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beeje says:
Though I've lived in eastern Mass for 12 years I didn't know this treasure existed until your post! The gardens remind me of Kylemore Abbey on the Connemara peninsula in Ireland which I was fortunate to visit last year. Hoping to visit The Mount soon, perhaps even in 2 weeks when one of my sisters comes to town. Thank you for sharing!
10 months ago ·
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valeriehendley says:
thank you for sharing. Jut spent 10 years in England where gardens and houses are beautiful and now I can tell my English friends that we also have beautiful homes here in the USA
10 months ago ·
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mousemaker says:
i have always loved Edith Wharton. Her biography is very interesting and i recommend it as much as her novels. i loved this tour of her estate. a little slice of heaven...note to self: self, plant more astilibes..
9 months ago ·
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Sharon Nisly says:
I have read quite a few of Edith Warton's novels. I love this tour of her home and gardens. It brings to life what I've seen in the imagination of her writings.
4 months ago ·
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