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Te BOY AB et CO roc ERG UN EA
in bloom. Its stamens and pistils were pure white. I carried many
things to Annefield—cowslips, violets, snowdrops, daffodils, and
dwarf iris—from Hickory Hill, and such growth I never imag¬
ined.” Mrs. Renshaw planted the box-hedge on the front of the
garden. She introduced many perennials and the old hundred-leat
rose.
In 1900, the estate passed into the hands of Edward G. Butler,
and, as good fortune would have it, Mrs. Butler was an enthusiastic
garden lover, so the work of development and improvement was ©
carried on. At the end of the main walk, a hedge of white lilacs,
extending back to an orchard of small fruits, was planted on both
sides. [his hedge is now bordered by purple iris. The main
walks she edged with boxwood and to the already fine collection
she added numerous bulbs, peonies, and Japanese anemones. A
small fountain, surrounded by native ferns, a bird bath, and an old
sun-dial were next placed in the garden.
The rose reigned as Queen of Annefield and many new beds
were laid out under the direction of Mrs. Butler. Records of the
first bloom in her garden in 1909 show that the Gruss an Teplitz
was the earliest; May 22nd, old hundred-leaf; May 29th, Paul
Neyron; May 29th, Frau Karl Druschki, and May 30th, Mrs.
John Lang.
The approaches to the garden were developed by Mrs. Butler
and many new shrubs planted. On one side, the hardy hydrangea
bloomed at the same time as the crimson rambler, which was trained
over the end of the old laundry and presented a beautiful effect.
On the opposite side, bridal wreath spirea was massed against
the kitchen most charmingly.
In 1921, William Bell Watkins became the owner of Annefield,
and Mrs. Watkins is taking a keen interest in maintaining the
old garden.
We often think we are planting flowers and roses far our own
enjoyment, but how true are the sentiments in the poem:
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