Englewood -- Low Garden

Designed by Alice Recknagel Ireys, this was obviously one of her favorite gardens, for it appeared on the front of the dust jacket of her 1967 book. Mrs. Donald Low was the owner of this property, which featured the extensive use of stone in both house and garden walls. Behind the high stone wall separating the garden from the driveway Ireys created a spacious informal setting for a variety of trees and shrubs as well as perennials and a lawn. The dust jacket illustration (reproduced inside the book as well) showed part of the garden in early spring with its bleeding hearts, Virginia bluebells, and primroses under a flowering cherry. Brick and natural surface paths wound through the site; boxwood was used extensively as a border. A stone garden house and statue of St. Francis added decorative touches, while seating near the house and in other locations provided ample opportunity for relaxation and contemplation of this lovely garden.