George Washington's Garden at Mount Vernon
by
Sarah Clark, All About Lawns Columnist
The gardens at Mount Vernon are among the most famous, and oldest, formal gardens in the United States. True to the classical gardening tradition, Mount Vernon features parterres and alleys that make up its dominantly green palette.
First a Farmer, then a Statesman George Washington was known
for many great things; in addition to being a great political figure,
Washington was also a skilled farmer and gardening enthusiast.
Washington had a very active role in the design of Mount Vernon's
architecture and landscape. He left his Virginia estate with a formal
garden that preservationists and gardeners have maintained in its
original form. Washington's garden reflects the restraint and elegance
of formal gardens in England and France, yet it also betrays the
American aesthetic for simplicity.
The "Pleasure" Garden In Washington's Mount Vernon garden
you'll find a pleasure garden replete with boxwood hedges and parterres
bordered by tall leafy trees. The parterre, manicured to resemble a
fleur-de-lis, was included as a symbol of Washington's gratitude toward
the French for their help during the Revolution.
Washington's Vegetable Garden Washington continued to nurture
his interest in agriculture long after his military and political
successes. At Mount Vernon, you'll find Washington's vegetable garden,
which provided the majority of his fruits and vegetables consumed
there. Today the garden has apples and pear trees as well as spinach,
artichokes, onions, lettuce, and other vegetables.
While the
gardening enthusiast in you might need only the lure of a historical
garden to justify a trip to Mount Vernon, you'll enjoy the many
historical attractions on the property, including tours of Washington's
estate that includes his restored home, slaves' quarters, a
reconstructed coach house, and the shoemaker's shop, among other
historical sites.
About the Author
Sarah Clark is a freelance writer based in the Washington metro area.
|
|
Find Lawn Care
Services Near you |
|
Featured Supplier
|
|
