Montpelier's DuPont Garden

President James Madison's formal garden of almost 4 acres in the early 19th century consisted of fruit trees, vegetables, flowers and ornamental shrubs.

Located near Orange county Virginia,  Montpelier was purchased in 1901 by William DuPont, whose wife Annie had two acres of  the garden turned into a 20th century formal garden.
Terraces were restored.  Garden walls, statuary and iron gates were added.
Later  Charles Gillette was commissioned by Marion DuPont Scott to design additional flower beds.

Last year while visiting the garden I took some pictures of the garden later in the summer.  Not much flowering except a few hydrangeas on their way out.   The garden is beautiful this time of year too, with all of the lush greenery , manicured lawns and clipped hedges - elegant.


Upon entrance to formal garden is this huge Cedar of Lebanon  planted during Madison's lifetime.

Entrance to Annie DuPont formal garden

 Peace and tranquility straight ahead

At the entrance of the two acre formal garden is this ornamental iron gate that  opens to walkways
lined with stately box woods

A view to right of entrance way - Crepe Myrtles still in bloom in the distance - large Urns  in background

looking straight away - I like the scent of boxwood and it was strong here.

there is a sundial - as we step a level down

I stepped off the terrace to take a picture of the crepe myrtle and urns in distance.  Also in  an area to the left  are plantings of Siberian Iris, Balloon flower and Peonies.    Steve is standing behind the massive boxwood.   Stopping to take in the beauty and listen to the silence

catnip , sage, thyme and dianthus are a few of the plantings  here

Oak leaf Hydrangeas and Peonies planted on either side of exit from the garden

view to the rolling hills

Leaving garden and the large brick wall that surrounds it

front porch shot

view from porch area

A planter at the entrance to gift shop - I like this

I bought a few shepherds hooks and a couple lanterns,  placed them in planters on each side of my sidewalk this past Christmas - this one  holds a single candle.

Beautiful skies  overhead

Leaving Montpelier but hope to come back to visit garden when flowers are in bloom

 

I am joining the brambleberry cottage time  travel Thursday linky party

Happy Monday

Been a while, been busy with the yard mostly.  Yard work is like housework for me.  It's never done, but I enjoy yard work a lot more.

All of my pictures enlarge when clicked on 

Weeding is never finished. I have started to just weed whack around some plants instead of constantly hand weeding.  I don't need to make more work for myself. Besides, the prettiest grass mostly grows around my plants.  It's a groundcover I do not need to be fussy about.

Memorial week end we took a drive on the back roads.  The water in Montpelier Va. which is the South Anna river was high and moving fast.   

The day was made for getting out and enjoying the country side. Honoring those who gave up their lives so we have the freedom to do so.  

Our front door

Girls and their flutes and reciting Pledge of Allegiance to our Flag.

Later on in the week I made my rose jelly

We had a taste over and English muffin with cream cheese.

This tea rose is about 20 years old.  It has traveled from two houses with me to my present home. 

Virginiana Magnolia or swamp magnolia some call it.  Grows at our wood line and scents heavily in the area

While picking a few flowers, I see this feather on the ground, am thinking it's an owl's feather. We have two that are out here every evening and I love those birds.  They keep down rodents and other critters.  They do kill and eat snakes.  

I do not know the name of this plant that grows near the magnolia but it smells like Jasmine to me.  

Pairs nicely with my roses in vase

Another day here the grand girls went out to the slash that has water in it when it rains a lot and in the winter time but mostly is dry in the dead of summer found some fish and a crayfish.  They always put them back but have fun catching them in their net to show us.

Surprised to see that this one is quite large.

Til next time ~ Betsy