LANDSCAPING AND GARDENS

The overall feeling you will get as you explore the landscape and gardens of the House is that they are natural and appropriate to the setting. The plantings are mature and have been meticulously maintained. Trees, shrubs and perennials were chosen to provide visual interest during all seasons.

One of the most magical times of the year is springtime when the entire landscape has been richly planted with flowering bulbs including crocus, hyacinth and daffodils. The daffodils are a unique collection that bloom in shades of white, yellow and salmon. There are traditional “pheasant eye” daffodils and as well as the more rare double daffodils.

Front of the House:  The approach to the House along Sasco Hill Road is landscaped with large rhododendrons that bloom in shades of pink and white and front a long native stone wall that stands at head height. These plantings are separated from the road by lawn and a Belgian block curb.

Once through the front gate and down the drive, you will notice mature pin oaks standing guard on either side of the main entrance. Plantings under them include azaleas, camellias and tree peonies.  A softly sculpted boxwood hedge rings the front of the House.

At the bottom of the drive is a granite motor court. There is a modern sculpture in the center that is ringed with flowering annuals that are refreshed in spring, summer and fall.

Directly across from the motor court is a curved Italian limestone wall. In front of the wall are five Bradford Pear trees that are covered with a profusion of white blossoms in the spring. There are also pear trees that have been espaliered along the center portion of the wall. They provide a soft structure and formality year round. At the two ends of the wall, Manhattan Euonymus grows on trellises beneath weeping hemlocks. Planted above the wall are spirea, viburnum, rhododendrons, azaleas, mountain laurel and pieris, growing beneath dogwoods, pines and hemlocks.

As you continue down the driveway past the front of the House, you will see two large holly trees, a large golden cedar, an ornamental and fragrant viburnum and three delicately weeping Japanese maple trees. Along the right are hosta, sedum, astilbe, roses and peony.  This part of the property is also planted with long rows of stately white pines which provide privacy. Beneath the pines are more rhododendrons that bloom in shades of pink.

On the side of the house is an additional parking area with a central island that is planted with graceful, deep burgundy weeping Japanese maples, large viburnum and pink flowering weigela. It is surrounded with planting areas containing hydrangea, azaleas, rhododendrons and camellias. There is also a colorfully planted boxwood knot bed.

Back of the House:  The back of the House levels out to an expansive lawn big enough for most sports activities. It is bordered on three sides by a large planting area filled with hydrangea, rhododendron, azaleas, roses, hollies, clethra, boxwood and ornamental crabapples. There is also an assortment of large apple trees which produce delicious apples in late summer and fall. The rear planting bed is 40 feet deep and slopes down slightly toward the golf course of The Country Club of Fairfield. The forsythia and weigela planted in this area were chosen carefully to provide a natural transition to the view of the golf course, making it appear as if the golf course is an extension of the landscape.

From the bottom of the property looking back up at the House one sees a pair of commanding bluestone steps.  They direct traffic up to a formal rose garden on the left and ornamental crabapples on the right. To the far left is a children’s playground complete with a swing, slide and play set. Adjacent to the playground is a whimsical sculpture that captures a scene from Alice in Wonderland – Alice playing croquet using a flamingo as the mallet, and a hedgehog as the ball.

Outdoor Pool:  The large oval-shaped outdoor pool is surrounded by a gracious bluestone terrace made up of one inch thick slabs of bluestone which is kept cool on hot summer days by a dedicated sprinkler system.  The pool has a large shallow end and a full deep end (9').  At night the pool casts a delicate light green transparent hue that reveals the complete inner contours of the pool and lights a statue that rests peacefully on the pool deck overlooking the back yard.

Framing this terrace are four spectacular magnolias that are covered with large, pink flowers in the spring. There is also a perennial bed on this terrace containing salvia, lilies, yarrow, lupines, liatris, agastache, Echinacea, dahlias and many more perennials to provide three seasons of beautiful flowers. Large Haddon stone basket weave planters are strategically placed on this, and other terraces and patios. All are planted with annuals in spring, summer and fall. The terraces are generously furnished with comfortable seating, side tables, umbrellas, and large, round glass tables for outdoor dining. The view from the terraces at the back of the house is spectacular. You will see the golf course, the village of Southport with its stately homes and yachts, and the Long Island Sound where you can make out the Manhattan skyline.

English Garden: From the pool terrace, you should open a wrought iron gate and step down into the English garden. Here you will find a world of raised beds richly planted with perennials that include English lavender, oriental lilies, baptisia, Echinacea, brunnera, anemone, iris, sedum, and many, many more. One of the favorites is the “dinner plate” hibiscus, named to describe the large size of flowers that it produces in summer.

In the center of this formal garden is a fish pond complete with a fountain and a sculpted fish motif protective fence.