At Hillwood Estate, the Gardens Are Always In Season

Photo: Hillwood Estate

This is the time of year when many gardens have lost their luster. Hillwood Gardens is not one of them. I recently visited the spectacular property on a crisp fall day to find plenty to still grab my attention.

The gardens are part of the Hillwood Estate Museum nestled high in the hills of northwest D.C. overlooking Rock Creek Park. The mansion dates back to the 1920’s, but the estate’s real history started when, in the 1950’s, Marjorie Post purchased the property and began an extensive renovation.

To expand the existing gardens, Post hired prominent landscape architects Innocenti & Webel, known for their ability to mimic the greatest gardens in Europe.  The team created the perfect foil for her refurbished home; thirteen acres of grand, formal gardens offset by large trees in a natural woodland setting.

The gardens, which are located adjacent to the house, unfold in a progression of ‘outdoor rooms’ with clipped hedge ‘walls’ all linked by corridors.  Each 'room' has its own character, flowing from one to the other via the pathways, just as rooms open off of hallways in a conventional home. 

Photo: Hillwood Estate 

I began my garden tour directly behind the Mansion on a large crescent-shaped lawn, called the Lunar Lawn.  It's framed by large American elms and encircled by masses of azalea, camellias, dogwoods and magnolia. This was Post's 'outdoor living room' and the site of many Hillwood parties, film screenings and special events. 

To the right of the lawn, a rectangular opening in a hedge led to the French Parterre, a formal garden designed to be viewed from the Mansion. The secluded 'room' is surrounded by walls of ivy and consists of low plantings beds, channels of moving water and a central ornamental pool. Gravel footpaths connect and divide the space. A raised terrace provided the perfect spot from which to appreciate the symmetrical pattern.

Photo: Hillwood Estate 

I found the Rose Garden located just a few steps behind the parterre. Circular in shape, it was designed by White House Rose Garden designer Perry Wheeler. The garden is divided into quadrants, each planted with a single variety of floribunda rose (many were still blooming at the time of my visit.) A semi-circular wood and brick pergola covered with wisteria and climbing roses overlooked the space. 

A pair of brick gateposts topped with lead sculptures of birds and children, marked the entrance to the Friendship Walk, an informally planted path leading from the Rose Garden to the circular Four Seasons Overlook. From a a low stone wall, decorated with four tiny lead statues representing the seasons, I could see down into Rock Creek Park.

Across the Lunar Lawn is the Japanese-Style Garden, which appeared to be sculpted into the hillside. A pair of large stone dogs and a tall granite lantern guard the entrance. I could just make out an arching bridge in the distance, tucked away among iconic Asian plants such as Japanese maple, gingko, bamboo and mugo pine.

At Hillwood there are many terraces and overlooks as well as ample seating that provide great vantage points from which to take in the panoramic views. I rounded out my visit with a break on the large flagstone patio, located directly behind the Mansion. From there, I gazed across the gardens towards a green field descending down the hillside where I could just make out the Washington Monument in the distance.

The gardens are open Tuesday-Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm. For more information go to Hillwood Estate Museum and Gardens.

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