Informal Gardens
The Herbaceous Border
The two herbaceous borders are two parallel hundred-foot-long beds of mixed annuals and perennials surrounded by hedges of Taxus baccata 'Hicksii'. The focal points at the end of the borders are two fastigiate Irish yews, with Mrs. Yew at the west end and Mr. Yew at the east, set within a separate room containing four Farrand-designed benches. Farrand specified that the color composition of plants within these borders be shades of pink, red, lavender, and pale blue in contrast with the hotter palette chosen for the Fountain Terrace. Today, as in Farrand's time, the borders change from tulips and pansies in the spring to annuals and perennials in the summer, and finish with chrysanthemums and asters in the autumn.
Further Information
The South Front
- South Side of the House
- South Lawn
- The Garden Library and Ribbon Walk
- East Lawn
- R Street Walk
- The Terrior Column and Enclosure
Enclosed Gardens
- The Orangery
- The Green Garden
- The Star Garden
- The North Vista
- The Swimming Pool and Loggia
- The Pebble Garden
- The Beech Terrace
- The Urn Terrace
- The Rose Garden
- The Fountain Terrace
- The Arbor Terrace
- The Box Walk
- The Ellipse