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The gardens Bunny Mellon created during her life were influenced by a number of places, objects, people and literature. One woman who had a lasting impact on American gardens and served as an inspiration for Mrs. Mellon was Ellen Biddle Shipman. Ellen, born on this day in 1869, was a pioneering landscape architect who designed over 600 gardens in her lifetime. Read on to learn about Ellen’s life and how some of her trademark garden design staples made their way to the gardens of Mrs. Mellon.
Bunny Mellon once said “every rock has its purpose” and “every plant has its purpose.” Inspired by French styled parterres, the terraced gardens of Oak Spring are the perfect marriage of the two sentiments. The rock in this case is local fieldstone which was hand laid by Oak Spring’s stonemasons, and the plants are a smattering of herbs and other perennials which were first sprinkled out as seeds by Bunny during the garden's construction. Today, the cracks of the fieldstone spill out with plants that thrive under the beating summer sun. Learn more about the history of the terrace garden and some of the plants that thrive there in this blog.
Last month two of our Garden Team members entered the local Upperville Daffodil Show. It was a winding process to get there but each came away with multiple ribbons! In our newest blog post, read about the steps they took in preparation for the showing, the long history of daffodils in the US and get a few tips about how to put your best foot (or flower) forward.
Spring is the time when we take to the outdoors for some warm weather activities— for the Mellon’s one of those activities included croquet. In this guest blog post, written by our newest Horticultural Apprentice Bennett Meeks, learn all about the steps necessary to create your own croquet lawn and some general tips for heathy lawn care.
The gardens we know today are inspiring– the designers who created them took many approaches, influenced by their upbringing, travels, or their inner circles. Many of our modern notable gardens have inspirational roots in gardens from the, some of which were historically designed by women. While many did not receive formal training, it didn’t stop them from convening in their own ways to radically change the way we view gardens today. It’s no easy task to pair this list down to just four, but to usher in National Garden Month, learn about the lives and legacies of several plantswomen.
Cyclamen have existed since around the time of the philosopher Theophrastus. Read about how we are growing one of Mrs. Mellon’s favorite flowers to keep our garden and greenhouse lively during the colder months.
Danielle Wyman Castellano, the leader of our upcoming Permaculture Design Certification Course, discusses the nature-first approach to landscape design and how it can benefit communities and the environment.
Ever wondered how our gardeners spend the winter months? It’s a lot of plant production! In this video, Assistant Head Gardener Allissa Montgomery demonstrates how to sow perennial seeds and shows us around Oak Spring’s production greenhouse.
Summer means long and sultry days, bushy and verdant landscapes, and lots of insect pests. Read our list of several plants that can help keep the (bad) bugs at bay.
Gathering winter greenery to use in holiday decorations is a longstanding tradition at Oak Spring. Read the stories behind some of the plants we use in our traditional wreaths.
In observance of World Soil Day, assistant gardener Jordan Long discusses the process of revitalizing the soil in Oak Spring’s potager garden, and why healthy soil matters.
Every garden and farm, no matter the size, has to deal with pests. Read about some primary trouble-makers at the Biocultural Conservation Farm, and how they are controlled through an Integrated Pest Management system.
Read about several late-season native flowers and native hybrids - all lovely, low-maintenance, and pollinator favorites - that are currently spilling from our garden beds.
June is the month of roses, a plant that has been entangled in human history and culture for millennia. Read several facts about the fascinating flower, and about the roses we grow in the Oak Spring Formal Garden.
Planting a woodland garden can be a great way to help control invasive species, as well as create a peaceful oasis on your property. Read our tips for getting starting in this latest blogpost.
Nature can be enormously beneficial for your mental and physical health, especially in difficult times - but enjoying it while staying at home can be a challenge. In this latest blogpost, we’re listing several free and low-cost ways to enjoy the natural world from your house or apartment.
A healthy garden is made of so much more than plants. Click here to learn about seven fascinating insects that will help pollinate your plants and keep your pest situation under control.
