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HISTORIC: GARDENS SFY VR GIN TPA
that they needed in the way of plants and shrubs. Her knowledge
and experience which was lovingly given to the young couple was
of great value and a very extensive garden was laid out.
Broad alleys were laid off to run between borders of flowers
and shrubs. These alleys or walks ran lengthwise and across the
garden with plots of vegetables between.
After the War Between the States the changed conditions and
a different mode of cultivation made it necessary to do away with
the cross-walks and borders in order that the cultivators could
have room to move more freely in working the vegetables.
As the garden now is one sees a long walk fifteen feet wide
bordered on each side with evergreen shrubs and all the old garden
favorites. In February begins the season of bloom, with the long
succession of daffodils and narcissi; next comes the breath of spring
and winter heliotrope, which mingles with the old world fragrance
of bloom and boxwood as do also the cowslips edging the borders.
The gate of the entrance is covered with yellow jessamine or,
as it is called in England, woodbine. Surely dull care is driven
away when spring comes upon the James and our many beautiful
birds begin nesting in the old gardens. One’s senses are bewildered
trying to tell from which comes that divine scent—calycanthus,
lilac, jessamine, or what not—when it is a combination of all.
In the midst of this calm beauty came the horrors of war.
To Weyanoke marched a part of Sheridan’s army after a recent
defeat at Cold Harbor. We can imagine the weary and wounded
soldiers who found rest in this garden. Under a rose bush the
young mistress found one who had there given up his life and gone,
we hope, to where flowers bloom eternally. |
In the years that have passed since then changes have come
not only in material things. For in this garden where once all
the bitter feelings called forth by war held sway, here come many
charming and cultured friends from that one-time land of the
enemy, and beneath the shade cast by the old shrubs here have
partaken of tea.
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CATHERINE DOUTHAT.