Historic Gardens of Virginia 



by one trained in landscape design, it must have combined much 

 of the aesthetic with the practical, because a knowledge of plants 

 and a skill in growing them was a family trait. 



Thomas Jefferson, an intimate friend, said he considered Colo- 

 nel Eppes of Eppington, kinsman of John Eppes of Appomattox, 

 the first horticulturist in America. 



This pre-revolutionary garden was completely destroyed, as far 

 as it is possible to destroy a garden, for to this day, each spring, 

 blue hyacinths and golden jonquils pierce the green sward under 

 the spreading trees to mark the place of old-time flower beds and 

 fill the air with a perfume suggestive of the beauty in the garden 

 of long ago. 



About 1845, Dr. Eppes returned from extensive travels in 

 Europe and the Holy Land, bringing many seeds and cuttings back 

 with him — ivy from Kenilworth Castle and other things for 

 memory's sake. About this time he planted a great variety of trees 

 and shrubs at Appomattox: acacias, locusts, willows, magnolias, 

 elms, copper beech, pines, spruce, yews, plane-trees, lindens, oaks 

 and Murillo cherries. Many of these were destroyed during the 

 War Between the States, but many survive, and as they are ap- 

 proaching the century mark, now appear majestic and dignified. 

 These splendid trees edge the driveway and are grouped on the 

 sides of the lawn. The pecan tree is especially at home here, and 

 one given by Colonel Eppes to his butler, which was planted over a 

 well in front of a driveway, has attained immense size and height 

 and is a landmark on the way to wharf. Scions and cuttings from 

 this vigorous tree have been used extensively for propagating and 

 marketed under the name of "Appomattox." 



On Dr. Eppes' return home after the war, about 1865, he 

 planned and planted the present livable and lovable garden; he 

 walled it in on the front by a honeysuckle hedge growing over an 

 iron fence and on two sides by an embankment of earth planted in 

 trees after the fashion of many gardens in Devonshire, England. 

 The trees on such an embankment make a charming background for 



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