Bedford -- Lockwood Garden

This garden in Westchester County was established in 1938 on an old farm. The owners, John and Henrietta Lockwood, began a process of remodeling, design, and land development that continued for over 60 years until Mrs. Lockwood's death. Growing places may be found throughout the multi-acre property (of the eventual 100+ acres all but 13 have been deeded to a local nature conservancy). A lean-to greenhouse on the north end of the kitchen wing provides the winter display area for streptocarpus, camellias and other potted plants. It is here that seeds of all sorts are sown and grown under fluorescent light until they are large enough to be taken to the much larger greenhouse across the drive. A winding path through a grassy meadow planted with apple trees leads from the house to the flower and vegetable gardens. The site now features a patterned design based on a medieval, four-part parterre garden--two diamond shapes and two round--using bricks as edging for the beds, and also includes four iron umbrella tripods that serve as supports for clematis. Beyond the flower garden is an extensive vegetable garden and berry patch that produce fresh summer harvests for the table as well as the freezer. Many varieties of clematis are found tumbling informally atop stone walls, weaving through bushes and climbing obediently up the tan house walls, reflecting the owner's passion for this plant. Daphne is another particular favorite.

Each fall on the east side of the guest house an ingenious portable greenhouse is erected to house many tender potted plants, particularly winter-flowering camellias. Nearby a rock ledge forms a terrace for the guest house; beyond is a severe drop into the cool, dark woods. Featured plants in this area include yellow corydalis, mimosa trees, ferns, and woodland flowers. Just outside the guest house potted fig trees and an arbor of grapes provide shade. Inside the main house is a tiny greenhouse. To the rear of the house, along the edge of the brick terrace, blue pansies bloom with spring flowers and are later joined by pots of standard fuchsias and roses. The old well house still stands in the middle of a brick terrace surround by white alyssum volunteers. Beautiful clay pots of unusual collected plants are everywhere. This is a perfect country garden with its meadow views and unusual plant combinations, a tribute to its owners' lifelong devotion to its design, development, and care.

Persons associated with the garden include: John E. and Henrietta Sedgwick Lockwood (former owners, 1938-2001); the Bulloch family (former owners, before 1938); Nelva M. Weber (landscape architect); and Robin Zitter (horticulturist and gardener, 1984 to date).