Ladew Gardens
Hello again from the smoldering city of Baltimore. Mid-June is a splendid time to be in the city—we’ve not yet hit the bullish July heatwaves, sure to bring some record highs this year, but we’re still snug in the pocket of the clarity of summer warmth. Everything is green and cheerful, almost glowing with that sense of summer effusion.
Here in Baltimore we place a lot of value on our green spaces, which are many and varied throughout our neighborhoods—Wyman Park, Druid Hill Park, Patterson Park, Sherwood Gardens, the Hopkins campus. Time spent in nature can be greatly soothing to the soul. Sometimes, when I’m stressed or tired, I find a walk through the tree-lined streets along Wyman Park deeply restorative and refreshing. This time of year our parks are cloaked in their finest and richest greenery. Many of our parks are brilliantly curated—Sherwood Gardens is renowned locally for their wonderful tulips, whose bulbs, this time of year, locals are sometimes invited to dig up for their own gardens. Today, I thought I’d introduce you to one of our most treasured Maryland gardens: Ladew Topiary Gardens.
Ladew Gardens is located in Monkton, Maryland, and features some of the loveliest grounds in the state. At Ladew you can find 22 acres of award-winning gardens, more than 100 brilliant topiaries, a mile-long Nature Walk, and a Butterfly House populated by the colorful flights of native butterflies. The gardens, like all good gardens, are fluid with the seasons—no matter what time of year you go, something is blooming or about to bloom, and you can appreciate the marvelous curation that goes into maintaining a place like Ladew. At Ladew, you can sit back, relax, and embrace the peace of the natural world. \
Ladew Gardens was first owned and curated by Harvey Ladew. After the completion of the main house in 1937, Ladew, who had traveled extensively in England and Italy, set out a plan for his gardens, featuring two cross axes with “garden rooms” off of each and an oval swimming pool at the meeting point of these axes. “Garden rooms” were popular in England during the years Ladew visited—these “rooms” were shaped around a single element, like color, plant, or theme. The Ladew “garden rooms” were among the first to appear in America.
Like the “garden rooms”, Ladew also drew inspiration from English topiaries, which he saw on his foxhunting visits and wanted to recreate in his own personal gardens. In recognition of his outstanding gardens, the Garden Club of America awarded him the Distinguished Achievement Award, celebrating his innovative, curated topiaries.
One of the most enjoyable exhibits at Ladew is the Butterfly House—here, Ladew staff, interns, and trained volunteers procure butterflies and moths from Ladew’s grounds and place them in the carefully-planned Butterfly House. These butterflies and moths are provided with everything they need to live out full life cycles, so you, as a visitor, can experience every stage of their development: eggs to caterpillars to cocoons to chrysalises to butterflies. There’s something magical about standing in the Butterfly House, watching the fluttering and wafting of the butterflies in their myriad colors and patterns. If you’re interested in architecture and design, the Ladew Manor House is also often open for docent-led tours, where you can appreciate Ladew’s varied tastes and curated furnishings in person. As a designer, I always love to look around historical homes—you never know what kind of rich inspiration you can find there.
On the subject of gardens: a curated green space can really elevate your home’s design. If you have the opportunity to inject a little nature into your home—whether in your backyard, your front planters, or in a smart selection of houseplants—it’s a great opportunity to seize.
Looking for some help in greening up your home? Let’s chat—we’re ready to get your green thumb going!
And if you have time this summer, stop by Ladew Gardens. I know I’ll be there!