Aiken -- Balcony, The

The original 1930's garden design by landscape architect Ellen Biddle Shipman (1869-1950) still can be discerned in the mature trees and sculpted hedges of the 5.82-acre estate. The property was intended as a winter sporting retreat for the original owner so, given the economic uncertainty of the time, an ornate display of summer blooming plants was deemed unnecessary. The brick Georgian revival house built in 1930 and the landscaped grounds reflected the Country Place era – an emulation of an English country estate that would have existed for generations. The entire property is enclosed by a stucco high wall with an iron front gate and a wooden door inserted in wall in the 1950's for access to a private supper club on the adjacent property. The level property has expansive lawns punctuated or bordered with camellias, hollies, tea olives, native magnolias and loblolly pine. Shipman defined and enclosed spaces but in a more naturalistic way on this property. Osmanthus fragrans x fortune (tea olive) border the lawn along the drive. A shaped boxwood hedge defines the walkway to the front door. Some of the varieties that were popular when the estate was planted are no longer available commercially, and a Carolina cherry laurel allée was replaced with azaleas as the original plant is invasive. Azalea drifts that flower in early spring replace the original design of viola, vinca, and spring bulbs. Crepe myrtles, nandina and magnolia grown at the entrance to the property. Behind the house there is a simple rectangular pool, a later addition but in Shipman's style. There are a dressage ring, stables, and grooms' cottages along with three paddocks on this polo player's property.

Persons associated with garden's design include: Julian Peabody (architect, 1929-1931) and Ellen Shipman (landscape architect (1930-1931).