Ladew: The Gardens

The Ladew property is known around the world for its spectacular topiary gardens, which range from whimsical hunt scenes,
complete with hounds,

to sculptures of a fish and a trophy cup,

and everything in between!

However, these gardens are not static, frozen in time at Harvey Ladew’s death. They are constantly evolving and being renewed. New topiaries are always being created and old ones are being trimmed to keep their shapes.

A water lily garden that was added in the last few years keeps the overall feeling of the original gardens

but also has a more modern twist with its quatrefoil-shaped pond.

Statues are tucked in here and there, a squirrel on the croquet lawn,

an eagle framed by some gorgeous pink azaleas,

Eve tempting Adam by the Keyhole Garden,

and two putti surrounded by hosta and flanking a door in a hedge.

There are long views and vistas in every direction… Look one way to see a large central elegant fountain in the middle of a vast lawn.

Look another and you’ll see, at the end of a long vista, a garden folly with a white swan perched atop it,

which echoes the scalloped hedge with topiary swans floating of the waves.

One of the most fascinating rooms in the garden is one in which the hedges have been trimmed to have windows that look out over the rolling countryside of the estate.

The tops of these hedges are trimmed with garlands running the length of the room, and topped with obelisks. Regardless of where you turn at Ladew, you will see something that reflects what a fascinating person Harvey Ladew was and how lucky we are to have these gardens as a legacy of his style and taste.

One more post tomorrow... everything else, almost!

PS... something about these pictures reminded me of this.