4S 
House 
THE ALLURING GARDEN 
It Stands a Symbol of the Beauty Hidden Behind It and Brings 
Garden Contrasts into Greater Relief 
G 
& Garden 
ATE 
MARY H. NORTHEND 
This wrought iron gate between a kitchen 
and a flower garden bears a symbolic panel 
of fruit 
G REAT changes have taken place in the 
enclosing of our gardens since the days 
when the Colonial picket gate swung back on 
its hinges and through it one passed down the 
box-bordered central gravel path to the vine- 
clad arbor beyond. Perchance, sauntering 
along, one imbibed the sweet odor of cinnamon 
pinks, or watched stately hollyhocks uncurl 
their silken petals, shaking out the tucks and 
wrinkles of their buds like newly awakened 
butterflies. 
There was dignity in the square wooden 
posts, a charm in their carved balls, urns, or 
torches, which architects to-day are reproduc¬ 
ing in the entrances to our 20th Century 
gardens. 
With the introduction of wrought iron into 
modern art Italian Renaissance designs have 
been revived in planning the gateways that 
open into many of our present day estates. 
This material seems eminently fitted for gar¬ 
den entrances as it is durable, withstands the 
ravages of winter, and, like the garden itself, 
gains charm with every passing year. 
As a staunch support is necessary, gateposts 
of brick or stone must be 
constructed but with a 
foundation several feet be¬ 
low the surface so that they 
shall not be thrown out of 
plumb by frost. Corre¬ 
sponding alw r ays with the 
exterior of the house and 
strong enough to allow the 
insertion of iron hinges on 
which to swing the gate, a 
gatepost of this type im¬ 
parts an air of distinction 
to the entire garden. 
Various Types 
Nothing produces so nat¬ 
ural an effect as the rustic 
gate set to break either a 
stone wall or a rustic fence. 
A vine-covered rustic arch 
is especially appropriate 
for a simple garden. 
The gate typifies the gar¬ 
den and the taste of the 
owner and should be a part 
of the scheme that ties the 
house to the garden. Fram¬ 
ing a vista, it lures the vis¬ 
itor to enter. 
In planning the garden 
enclosure the paling fence 
is not to be despised, par¬ 
ticularly where an old- 
fashioned garden is in evi¬ 
dence. In olden times the 
palings were set close to¬ 
gether; now they are often 
several inches apart to allow a better view of 
the garden plot. The gate occasionally shows 
an inverted arch, the standards varying in 
height. The gateposts here are smaller and 
less classical in design while the urns depart 
from the usual small, delicately shaped post 
caps, becoming elongated. 
An archway gives dignity to the Colonial 
gate and forms a support for twining vines 
and rambler roses, green even in off seasons. 
If ferns are planted at the foot of the post 
they hide the base of the vine which often 
grows straggly as the season progresses. 
Then again, we find the wooden gate used 
in connection with a well head and brick posts 
and walls after the Italian type of garden en¬ 
trance. A charming example shows a gate¬ 
way. Hung on iron hinges, the latticed gate, 
painted a soft gray, contrasts pleasantly with 
the brick. Instead of vines trees have been 
planted to meet overhead, the soft green leaves 
proving an effective foil for the red of the 
roof. Pottery baskets of bright colored flow¬ 
ers lend a touch of joyousness needed to light 
up the dull tones of the brick. 
Often the combination of 
brick and wood is desirable, 
the latter being used for the 
roof, supports, and the gate, 
while the wall and posts 
are of brick. This com¬ 
bination affords a pleasing 
contrast. 
Ornamentation 
Many of these gates are 
hung by iron or brass 
hinges, the latches being de¬ 
signed to correspond. Oc¬ 
casionally we find a motif 
let into the gate, often des¬ 
ignating the name of the 
estate, such as the dainty 
little iris that forms the 
central feature of the en¬ 
trance into ‘Tristhorpe”. 
Instead of wooden posts 
this is set between field 
stone columns connected by 
a latticed pergola. For color 
scheme, vines have been 
planted that wind around 
the posts and will later cov¬ 
er the pergola top so that 
one enters the gateway 
under a bower of soft green. 
Unusual gates can be de- 
This roofed gate after 
the Italian manner leads 
into a walled garden. 
The gate itself is painted 
gray, contrasting with 
the bricks 
