Ladew Topiary Gardens

Infobox_nrhp | name =Ladew Topiary Gardens and House
nrhp_type =

---

caption = These designs are visible from the parking lot of the Ladew Topiary Gardens
nearest_city= Taylor, Maryland
lat_degrees = 39
lat_minutes = 34
lat_seconds = 52
lat_direction = N
long_degrees = 76
long_minutes = 30
long_seconds = 44
long_direction = W
locmapin = Maryland
area =
built =1935
architect= Ladew,Harvey S.
architecture= No Style Listed
added = May 13, 1976
governing_body = Private
refnum=76001002cite web|url=http://www.nr.nps.gov/|title=National Register Information System|date=2008-04-15|work=National Register of Historic Places|publisher=National Park Service]

Ladew Topiary Gardens (22 acres) are nonprofit gardens with topiary located at 3535 Jarrettsville Pike, Monkton, Maryland. They are open April through October weekdays and weekends; an admission fee is charged.

The gardens were established in the 1930s by socialite and huntsman Harvey S. Ladew (1887-1976), who in 1929 had bought a convert|250|acre|km2|sing=on farm to build his estate. Both the grounds and his house opened to the public in 1971.

Garden design is strongly influenced by Ladew's numerous winters in England, where he went fox hunting. It contains 15 garden rooms, each devoted to a single color, plant or theme, arranged around two cross axes with vistas. The axes meet in an oval swimming pool.

The garden is particularly noted for its topiary, which the Garden Club of America has described as "the most outstanding topiary garden in America." Its best-known topiary depicts a fox hunt with horses, riders, dogs, and fox all clearing a hedge. It also contains a convert|1.5|mi|km|sing=on nature walk.

The house was built in stages, starting in the late 18th century, with a mid-19th century addition and other additions in the 20th century. The oval library is particularly noteworthy. [cite web|url=http://www.marylandhistoricaltrust.net/nr/NRDetail.aspx?HDID=376&COUNTY=Harford&FROM=NRCountyList.aspx?COUNTY=Harford|title=Maryland Historical Trust|date=2008-10-06|work= National Register of Historic Places: Properties in Harford County|publisher=Maryland Historical Trust] The house is open for tours, and contains a good collection of antique English furniture.

See also

* List of botanical gardens in the United States

References

External links

* [http://www.ladewgardens.com/ Ladew Topiary Gardens]
* [http://www.marylandhistoricaltrust.net/nr/NRDetail.aspx?HDID=376&COUNTY=Harford&FROM=NRCountyList.aspx?COUNTY=Harford Ladew Topiary Gardens and Ladew House, Harford County] , including undated photo, at Maryland Historical Trust