Mrs. John L. 
Severance's 
Garden 
with Mountain Laurel and Rhododendrons around its sloping 
walls. The pergola, which framed the picture below, separated 
the flower from the kitchen garden. 
Probably the first object to attract attention in this charming Mrs. 
Tudor garden was the adorable little thatched cottage, smothered Charles E. 
in Roses and nestling comfortably against a background of Briggs' 
shrubbery- — a bit of old-world beauty, perfect in every detail. Garden 
Lending a touch of enchantment to the scene were pieces of old 
carved masonry, stone benches and the ancient sun-dial, while 
the humble old-fashioned flowers lived happily in so familiar 
surroundings. The little blue Ajuga repens which edged some 
of the flower beds was a novelty admired by many. 
The planting of Betinospora obtusa nana, close to the Avails of 
the house, attracted much attention. In such perfect condition 
and of even size, they were marvellously decorative. A long 
sunken grass court is crossed at half its length by another, each 
finished by pools, fountains and statuary. Along the sides, 
clipped Cedars give a dignified, formal setting to the Tudor 
house. Long, winding walks through the woods lead to still 
another beautiful fountain and one's feet wander through end- 
less beds of Ferns, Violets, Mandrake and other wild flowers. 
A bird sanctuary, with a shallow rill watched by Malvina Hoff- 
man's "Pan," was most lovely. The successful planting of 
Rhododendrons in this woodland, as in several others, drives 
to despair those who love them, but who have not the perfect 
conditions under which to grow these exacting shrubs. 
The walk ended in a surprise, for we suddenly found our- 
selves in a great formal garden, hedged with Arbor vitae, flanked 
by Larkspurs and filled with bloom of every color and kind. 
The Spanish Iris and Tree Roses drew the greatest attention. 
To do justice to Mrs. Prentiss' large and beautiful garden is Mrs. Francis 
impossible in the allotted space, but especial mention should be p Prentiss' 
made of two plantings; one the pool, full of Nelumbiums and Garden 
the other, the balanced planting of Japanese Iris. The walk 
along the stream at the bottom of the sloping lawn is full of 
interest. Dell after dell is planted with speciosum, regale and 
auratum Lilies. Ferns, Rhododendrons, Funkias and Violets 
crowd the banks. Pool after pool holds nympheas and the little 
streams that tie the pools together are full of Myosostis. There 
was a fine display of the all-too-scarce Spanish Iris and the 
trees and shrubs are especially well chosen. A lovely Laburnum, 
laden with narrow, graceful pods, lingers in the mind. j/[ Rg Rqllin 
Continuous beds of well grown perennials and a surrounding White's 
planting of fine shrubs, both deciduous and evergreen, made this Garden 
garden well worth remembering. Lighted by colored search 
lights at night the marble figures and stone bridge, thrown into 
relief by the plumy Juniperus pfitzeriana, reflected in the pool 
below, were reminiscent of Maxfield Parrish. 
363 
