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Jon Johnsen Webinar
Garden Design
Calimesa, CA

Groundbreaking Gardens

Discover the lesser-known contributions of professional women to American landscape architecture and the female photographers who captured their work on film at the New York Botanical Garden’s exhibition, Groundbreakers: Great American Gardens & The Women Who Designed Them. This exhibition, which takes place from May 17 through September 7, explores the burgeoning age of gardening and the contributions of American women who emerged as influential professionals in the fields of landscape architecture, design, and photography. The following images, courtesy of The New York Botanical Garden, highlight some of the must-see features of the exhibition.

By Maureen Gilmer

Groundbreaking Gardens
Garden Design
Calimesa, CA

Photo by: Courtesy The New York Botanical Garden

This beautiful photograph of the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller garden (located in Seal Harbor, Maine) in full spring bloom is featured as part of the new exhibit. The garden was designed by Beatrix Farrand in 1926 at the summer home Abby shared with her husband, philanthropist, John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Between 1900 and 1930, landscape design achieved a new prominence in American life as estate owners created lavish flower gardens and landscaped public spaces.

Groundbreaking Gardens
Garden Design
Calimesa, CA

Photo by: Courtesy The New York Botanical Garden

The Moon Gate at the iconic Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Garden is part of the horticultural exhibition, which is inside the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory. The designer, Beatrix Farrand, was the only female founding member of the American Society of Landscape Architects in 1899 and one of two professional advisors at the first meeting of The Garden Club of America in 1913. She chose a summer garden palette of annuals, perennials, and bulbs with Asian architecture including a Moon Gate in the tile-capped enclosing wall.

Groundbreaking Gardens
Garden Design
Calimesa, CA

Photo by: Courtesy The New York Botanical Garden

The Blue Garden at Beacon Hill House (located in Newport, Rhode Island) was photographed by Frances Benjamin Johnston in 1914. Johnston was a pioneer of garden photography, her career spanned 60 years, and she would later become an important documentarian in the field of American historic preservation. Such photographs are the only record of many early gardens and this exhibition shows the rare, early residential works of the designers through vintage images.

Groundbreaking Gardens
Garden Design
Calimesa, CA

Photo by: Garden Design magazine

If you're enjoying this article, make sure you don’t miss our related sections in Garden Design magazine including Great Gardens Across America, which highlights gardens across America designed by landscape designers or garden enthusiasts; and Designer Portfolio, which showcases an established designer with strong style and highlights qualities of their design. Learn more about the content that is exclusively available in the magazine and how to subscribe.

Groundbreaking Gardens
Garden Design
Calimesa, CA

Photo by: Courtesy The New York Botanical Garden

The horticultural exhibition at New York Botanical Garden showcases images of the Rockefeller garden that feature borders designed by Beatrix Farrand in 1926. For this part of the garden, she chose a palette of annuals and perennials, with lilies and bulbs.

Groundbreaking Gardens
Garden Design
Calimesa, CA

Photo by: Courtesy The New York Botanical Garden

This rose garden was designed by Beatrix Farrand for Peggy Rockefeller. The old roses are a living museum combined with testing locations for new introductions. Though designed early in the 20th century, the entire rose garden was not built at that time. When Peggy Rockefeller passed away, her husband, David Rockefeller, donated a generous gift in her name to fund the completion of the garden.

Groundbreaking Gardens
Garden Design
Calimesa, CA

Photo by: Courtesy The New York Botanical Garden

This photograph of a garden designed by Beatrix Farrand is part of the historical exhibition, Gardens for a Beautiful America: The Women Who Photographed Them. The exhibition is located in the LuEsther T. Mertz Library's Rondina and LoFaro Gallery where a collection of vintage photographs highlight the landmark work of pioneer female photographers. They played dynamic roles in popularizing the landscaped garden and defining landscape architecture as a profession.

Groundbreaking Gardens
Garden Design
Calimesa, CA

Photo by: Courtesy The New York Botanical Garden

Many of the great gardens designed in the early 20th century no longer exist. Archival photography is the only way to study the work of Beatrix Farrand and other landscape architects. This lovely reflection pool and surrounding plantings at the White House is shown in this vintage photograph which reveals the original intent of the designer. After plants age and the grounds change with the times, these photographs are the only record to define the roots of this modern American garden.

Groundbreaking Gardens
Garden Design
Calimesa, CA

Photo by: Courtesy The New York Botanical Garden

Groundbreakers: Great American Gardens & The Women Who Designed Them
May 17–September 7
New York Botanical Garden
2900 Southern Boulevard
Bronx, NY 10458
Throughout the summer these exhibits at the garden are augmented by lectures and garden tours.

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