Green Spring’s Townhouse Gardens
by Ivy Sinaiko
After writing articles about the interesting faces of Green Spring, I’m switching for this edition of Gardenline to interesting places of Green Spring.
I have always been attracted to the townhouse gardens located near the path leading down to the ponds. I have wanted to sit and read a book there but never have found the time. These three gardens resulted from a design contest; the aim of the contest was to show how even a small space could accommodate an attractive garden. The gardens were installed in 1995 by Main Street Landscapes, Garden Patio Specialists, now located in Haymarket, VA.
I have not been able to find written records at Green Spring about the design contest but, using information on plaques in the gardens, I have put together a little information about the designs and their designers. If any reader has more info, please share it with me.
“Depth Through Diagonals” is the title of the garden design winner nearest the downhill path. Diagonals in the design create an illusion of depth. The stonework in the garden illustrates this diagonal concept. Designed by Christopher Green and Brian Seidel of Ambler, PA, the garden was festively decorated for this holiday season by the Mueller Family. Perhaps it is one of their favorite spots at Green Spring. Thanks, Mueller Family!
“The Wheel of Time” is the theme of the second garden, which appropriately features a sundial. Nancy Holm, Richard Lemanowicz, and Thorne Ranieri, again of Ambler, PA, designed this garden. They, as well as Green and Seidel above, were students attending the Ambler Campus of Temple University. The Ambler Campus has a strong horticulture/landscape design department and always creates a wonderful design exhibit at the Philadelphia Flower Show.
There is a beautiful Carolina Cardinal Holly in this garden as well as a bench with the moving inscription, “A Place of Hope and Renewal. In loving memory of Emilie B. Cleveland From Her Forever Friends.” May we all be fortunate enough to have “forever friends.” Emilie died in 2017 and, according to her obituary, “loved and appreciated nature, which she expressed in many ways, including monitoring local Bluebird trails and in the unique hobby of raising and releasing Monarch butterflies. She would often be found outside, walking the family dog for miles a day, gardening, bird watching, and spending time with her family...”
The third garden, “Cottage Garden,” was designed by Kathleen Wheeler of Fairfax Station, Virginia. I believe Ms. Wheeler is still active in our area, as I found recent references to local horticulture classes being taught by her. This garden features a crepe myrtle with wonderful bark. My photo does not do it justice. A plaque on a bench memorializes the Lincolnia Hills Garden Club, 1950-1986. I live in a neighborhood adjacent to Lincolnia Hills and am sorry this group is no more.
The townhouse gardens are being considered for renovation and updating in the future, as many of the original plants have died or grown too large for such small spaces. Although they are not as fresh and pristine as they were when originally conceived and planted, I still find these gardens charming and well worth a visit.
Thanks to all the folks who have provided information on this area of Green Spring Gardens. Current and former Green Spring staff shared memories and thoughts. Cindy Brown, who worked at Green Spring for many years before moving on to the Smithsonian Institution, was very helpful in explaining the Ambler, PA connection, which had particularly puzzled me.
Photo Credit: All photos taken by Ivy Sinaiko.
