GCES Program “An Overview of Ladew Topiary Garden and Programs”

The Garden Club of the Eastern Shore  presents “An Overview of Ladew Topiary Gardens and Programs,” a talk by Tyler Diehl, head of gardens: January 8, 2014 at 11:30 AM at the Academy Art Museum Free and open to the public.

Imagine 22 acres with 15 garden rooms, lush green rolling lawns with pools and paths lined with flowers, over 100 topiaries carved in the shapes of dogs, swans, and other forms, a nature path and 1747 Manor House filled with hunting art and antiques! The man in charge of keeping these grounds trim is head of gardens, Tyler Diehl. He will speak at the Garden Club of the Eastern Shore’s presentation: “An overview of Ladew Topiary Gardens and Programs” Wednesday, January 8, 2014 at 11:30 AM at the Academy Art Museum.

After obtaining a degree in Ornamental Horticulture from California Polytechnic State University, Diehl did an internship at Longwood Gardens. He has been at Ladew since 1999, moving up to head of gardens and supervising a staff of 4 full-time gardeners, seasonal gardeners and volunteers.

Ladew Topiary Gardens

Ladew is considered the most outstanding topiary garden and one of the top five gardens in America. The garden sees over 20,000 visitors each year. It is the inspiration and plan of Harvey Smith Ladew, who bought the 250 acre Pleasant Valley Farm in 1929 because of his interest in fox hunting. An amateur gardener, he carved out 22 acres and began the work of designing the topiaries with metal forms in the shapes he desired. The trees and shrubs were allowed to grow over them and must be trimmed yearly after their growth period. Patience is what it takes to grow a topiary, for it can take three to five years for a small one to grow to maturity. From winters spent in England hunting and visiting country mansions, he learned about garden rooms and saw the topiary, which he repeated here of horsemen jumping a fence with the hounds streaming on ahead. It has become an icon of the garden. His garden rooms with varying themes and colors were the first in the U.S.

Recently the gardens are becoming green and sustainable with the spraying cut down to a minimum, more lawn turned into meadow with periodic burning for maintenance. Only the hardiest roses, native trees and shrubs are used where possible and the spread of non-native plants is being controlled.

Ladew Garden opened to the public in 1971 as a non-profit. The Board of Trustees developed special events like My Lady’s Steeplechase race, Garden Festival, Summer Concert Series, Children’s nature camps, Children’s Day and Christmas Open House with spring and fall educational programs to maintain this uniquely beautiful home and gardens. Open April 1 to October 31. Please join the Garden Club of the Eastern Shore for this wintertime treat.

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