Included are Hestercombe House and Folly Farm, the works of Gertrude Jekyl
and Edward Lutyens; Cranborne Manor, the home of the Cecils with the 18thc.
garden designed by John Tradescant; Vita Sackville-West's Sissinghurst; Lutyens'
Great Dixter, the home of Country Life columnist Christopher Lloyd; Stourhead,
considered the greatest example of the English Landscape School; Hidcote Manor,
the home of the American Lawrence Johnston; Nymans Gardens, the home and school
of English garden designer John Brooks; Penshurst Place; romantic Scotney
Castle; Kiftsgate Court; Gravetye Manor, the home of William Robinson; and
Longleat. Design and history are the focus.
The lawn in its historical context is presented. Illustrations document the
lawn from the Renaissance, through the 18th century, the English natural landscape
to the great American lawn. Native meadows and meads are shown as well as
the use of bulbs in lawn. Slides illustrate the lawn as path, ways to mow
in patterns and edging methods.
Shaping the earth as a design device is discussed with examples including
Middleton Place in Charleston, South Carolina, the American Federal period
garden: the Codman house in Lincoln, MA. and the Belevedere in Vienna. The
lecture considers the lawn, not as just a flat surface but as a means of creating
contrast to larger plantings and as sculptural interest.
Presented at the New York Botanical Garden and most recently at the Boulder
Ridge Garden Club of Bronxville, NY.
This is a survey of the astonishing depth and breath of gardens of this small
yet vibrant country. Discussed are the medieval castle ornamental gardens
and potagers at Beersel, Freyr, Jahay-Bodegnee and Ooidonk. Renaissance gardens
are seen in the magnificence of Beloeil, the ancient seat of the princes de
Ligne, Leeuwergem and Mariemont. The 18th century has the grandeur of Annevoie
and Attre. Shown are the urban gardens of the Flemish master Peter Paul Rubens,
his neighbor, the printer Christophe Plantin-Moretus, and the scholar Desirderius
Erasmus.
Included are the quiet contemplative beguinages (walled communities for women)
in Bruges and Gent, and the Low Countries first herb garden at Leuven (1783).
Independence of the 19th century led to industrialization and urban parks
like Brussels' Place du Petit Sablon, notable botanical collections such as
the Arboreti at Kalmthout and Waasland; the creation of many new exstates
with teir related gardens and parks.
Contemporary gardens are shown by skilled designers, Dina Deferme and Guido
Spruyt. Herkenrode, the evolving estate of Vicomte Philippe de Spoelberch
is examined. The stunning residential installations by the acclaimed landscape
architect, Jacques Wirtz who is designer of the new garden of the Louvre in
Paris are illustrated. Included in the discussion is Wirtz own home, Domein
Botermelk.
The following are descriptions of lectures Florence has given
and are available upon request.
She continues to teach at the New York Botanical Garden and Greenwich Continuing
Education.
Creative designs for the front and backyard of homes to transform the most
ordinary into a special place. Presentation covers how to make an entrance
with plants, screening and foundation plantings. The design of paths and terrace
is discussed. Multiple slides shown of "before & after" conditions.
Other topics: privacy with foliage walls, "borrowed" views, phased
development, and characteristics of the most reliable nursery stock. Presented
annually at the New York Botanical Garden.
A visual survey of pots, urns, and troughs and other containers, filled with
annuals, both traditional and new, and tropical plants are presented in unusual
combinations. Choices of perennials are illustrated as well as evergreens
that thrive in containers. Plants with winter interest are discussed. The
means of supporting plants, soil mix, drainage and maintenance as well as
small support structures are illustrated. Window boxes from here and abroad
are described. Figures created from plants can provide a whimsical touch.
Creative and fresh ideas can inspire innovative container planting.
This lectures begins with the early enclosed gardens of medieval Europe and
continues with the grand potagers of Versailles and Villandry, near Paris.
Both Mount Vernon and Monticello have splendid produce gardens. They are considered
for their design and the specific plants grown in each location. Hale Village
in Bath, Ohio exemplifies how these grand plans were be adapted to 19thc.
domestic use. Other examples shown are: Rosemary Verey's Barsnley House in
England, Meadowbrook Farm near Philadelphia, Alan Haskell's garden in New
Bedford, MA, the 1995 display of vegetables at Wave Hill, Riverdale, NY, as
well as private gardens in Connecticut and New Jersey.
The valuable use of structures to provide support and substance to the design
is shown. Illustrated are raised beds, pergolas and arbors and garden enclosures
with the whimsical use of scarecrows.
The beauty of vegetables is illustrated with leeks, cardoon, ruby chard,
Brussels sprouts, cabbage, green lettuce with red tulips, yellow tulips and
red lettuce. It is lots of fun.
