Olana photo by Carri Manchesterr, Courtesy of Olana State Historic Site |
The Mount |
Author Edith Wharton’s Berkshire estate, The Mount, in Lenox, Massachusetts, (edithwharton.org) has three acres of gardens including an Italianate walled garden (which she paid for with the proceeds of her first bestseller, The House of Mirth); a French-style formal flower garden surrounding a pool with fountain; grass terraces; a lime walk of linden trees; and a woodland walk.
Steepletop in Austerlitz, New York, (millay.org) is Edna St. Vincent Millay’s former estate with walled rose gardens, wildflower and rock gardens, and a spring-fed swimming pool. A poetry trail leads to the family gravesites.
The Climbery in Livingston, New York, is the largest private clematis garden in the world with nearly 6000 vines, along with specimen trees, peonies, irises, lilies, English rose gardens, and lotus ponds. Be aware, though: Viewing is by appointment only.
Stonecrop Gardens in Cold Spring, New York, (stonecrop.org) features 12 acres of rock, woodland, and water gardens, along with an enclosed English-style flower garden, an extensive collection of dwarf bulbs, and an exquisite conservatory.