United States of America -- Massachusetts -- Suffolk County -- Milton
Scope and Contents:
The folder includes worksheets, copies of artwork and site plans.
General:
The Neville Garden is comprised of fourteen different named areas that reflect the owners' interests and relationships, all contained in one-third acre with an Arts and Crafts style house built circa 1910. The private garden rooms behind the house were originally utilitarian areas used for laundry and services, and by 1988 were in derelict condition. To commence the redesign a crumbling sidewalk to the service entrance was removed, fencing was improved, the ground was leveled, a terrace was built, and trees and spring bulbs were planted. Improvements were made each year, including the removal of tree stumps, overgrown trees and shrubs, the repositioning of old rhododendrons away from the house and the moving of a cupid fountain from in front of the house to the rear to become the centerpiece of a perennial garden. Other private garden rooms behind hedges or fences include a brick Tuscan courtyard and hybrid tea rose bed, an allee of apple trees, a philosopher's garden with stone pavers and seating, a paved T'ai Chi court with statuary, and a minimalist garden with a fountain. The garden rooms that are visible to the public include a hot garden planted in red and yellow annuals and perennials, Anselm's shrubbery fort designed for grandchildren's play, a pastel perennial bed and evergreen corner, woodlands and shade gardens on the perimeters, a bonsai rock garden, a cliff garden with a mugo pine and azaleas as well as mosses, an English cottage garden and hydrangea hedge, and a sunset terrace with seating and a nearby bed of chrysanthemums.
The hot garden is on a corner of the property and is used as a public space to display political and advocacy materials. For several years it held a September 11 memorial. A ring of globe cypress was planted to disguise an above ground plastic swimming pool that eventually wore out and was replaced by the circular minimalist garden planted with a sourwood tree, an American dogwood, and a Japanese red maple. Native rocks have been repositioned and stood up as accent pieces, including a bizarre boulder made of granite, quartz, mud, pebbles and other glacial debris. The Neville Garden was awarded the Isabel Stoughton Foster Cup in 2007 by the Milton Garden Club, which cited the profusion of flowering trees, shrubs, perennials and bulbs, the four seasons of interest in the garden, and the privacy and serenity of the garden rooms.
Persons associated with the garden's design: Elizabeth (Beth) and Robert Neville; Bob, Josh and Maggie Oldfield, Thayer Nursery (grading and planting stock); A. Thomas & Sons, Bunny Thomas, Jim Aiello (grading, masonry, planting stock); Henry and Sally Thomas (planting stock); Sean Meehan & Company (rockwork, pruning, planting); Zachary Genduso (hardscaping); Sarah Vance (landscape theory); Elaine Hutchins (landscape theory); Robin Putnam (gardener); Marcia Ganter (gardener); Nick Sacramona (lighting); Tom and TJ Chippendale (carpentry).
Gardens are ephemeral, including landscapes that grow taller and fuller or decline over time (or get consumed by visiting wildlife). The Neville Garden was one-third acre of slate dust and crab grass in 1988, was developed into a complex scheme of garden rooms, and has been changed by necessity between 2011 and 2021. First seven tall shade trees were removed after one white pine toppled and nearly crashed into a neighbor's bedroom. The stumps and roots were removed, too, converting a woodland shady garden into a full sun lawn for playing croquet. The cupid fountain was relocated. Rabbits got into the roses so that garden has been fenced with wire mesh. Chipmunks devoured the Asiatic lilies so daylilies were planted instead, and crocus and tulips were replaced with daffodils. Cobble borders on the new lawn and median strip were installed to control runoff. The median grass was removed and replaced with herbs and a grape arbor.
Related Materials:
64 digital images (2008-2011, 2021), 26 photographic prints (1988-2010) and 2 file folders.
Collection Restrictions:
Access to original archival materials by appointment only. Researcher must submit request for appointment in writing. Certain items may be restricted and not available to researchers. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
Collection Rights:
Archives of American Gardens encourages the use of its archival materials for non-commercial, educational and personal use under the fair use provision of U.S. copyright law. Use or copyright restrictions may exist. It is incumbent upon the researcher to ascertain copyright status and assume responsibility for usage. All requests for duplication and use must be submitted in writing and approved by Archives of American Gardens. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
Smithsonian Institution, Archives of American Gardens, The Garden Club of America collection.
Sponsor:
A project to describe images in this finding aid received Federal support from the Smithsonian Collections Care Initiative, administered by the National Collections Program.
