Part III: The Stone Garden at Dumbarton Oaks

in Garden Focus by Britt — November 3, 2009 at 12:00 am | 0 comments

The Fall Stone Garden © Britt Conley

I love the aesthetics of this space. Looking out over this perfectly designed area, it becomes even more amazing knowing that it was once destined to be a tennis court. Bliss and Farrand re-tooled the entire space into an incredible European style shallow Stone Garden pool. Despite being dry today there is an image of how it was intended to be experienced on the Dumbarton Oaks’ website; a water wonderland to be strolled around. Farrand had large Spanish pebbles brought up and planted tapered side up to create a fully dimensional field for light to bounce off of just below the water line. The stones themselves are of different hues of blues and grays.

The Stones © Britt Conley

The Stones and retaining wall © Britt Conley

Today the dry pebbles are exposed and worn. The beauty of them lies in the incredibly complex planting lines they were dug in. It’s truly a site to behold. At the closest view there is the family symbol, a sheath of wheat, that can be seen from overhead. The far end presents a still running fountain offering a taste of what the space once had to offer.

The Stone Sheath of Wheat © Britt Conley

The Fountain in the Stone Garden © Britt Conley

The Wisteria View © Britt Conley

On the left side of the garden lies a wonderful wisteria overhang with perfect seating to watch that imagined would-be tennis match or water glistening over the stones. My favorite view is overhead sitting at one of the tables which is perfect for a game of chess and an afternoon of reading.

My Favorite table for chess © Britt Conley

Thanks for coming by today! Tomorrow we’re heading over to see the brilliant Herbaceous Border! Till then, visit the Dumbarton Oaks website for more information and event news! Concerts and Lectures are alive and well in the music room! http://www.doaks.org/public_events/concerts.html

Till tomorrow…

Britt