Stoneleigh: A Natural Garden

The Garden Capital of the U.S. Just Got Bigger – Stoneleigh: A Natural Garden Opens Sunday, May 13th.
On March 9, I had the amazing opportunity to visit Stoneleigh: A Natural Garden in Villanova, Pennsylvania.  The day was sunny, cold and snow covered.  The brilliant snow-glow enveloped the estate and provided a magical and majestic countenance to the landscape.
I entered the side gate and was greeted by a busy horticulturist by the name of Cody Hudgens who was pruning storm damaged branches of a golden white pine tree (Pinus strobus ‘Hillside Winter Gold’) (top right) which sparkled from the snow on its branches in the sunlight. Cody pointed the way to the Carriage House where he later met me and directed me to Mae Axelrod the Media Relations Manager. I had an appointment with her for a tour. I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to visit the garden before the thousands of people begin to pour through the gates on May 13th – their Mother’s Day grand opening.  There is an opening the day before on May 12th for members only. 

A magnificent cucumber magnolia (Magnolia acuminata) stands close to the entry kiosk – the sixth largest in Pennsylvania.

The great lawn in winter is delineated by the tree line of silhouettes. The same area one month later looks vastly different in its spring color.

From left to right – Jason Wirtz, Ethan Kauffman and Mae Axelrod

 ​Joining Mae and me on our tour around the estate, was the Director of Stoneleigh, Ethan Kauffman, and Jason Wirtz, Lead Horticulturist. I was prepared to trudge around the property in the snow with this wonderful trio. I couldn’t think of a better way to see the bones of the garden.  ​
​The Stoneleigh’s team of professionals has been working on the property infrastructure and in the gardens since the estate was transferred to the Natural Lands Trust by the Haas children in April of 2016. It’s not surprising that the family left their estate for all to enjoy.  The Haas family has had a lengthy connection with the preservation of open space and natural areas. Their commitment to preservation continues to strengthen the garden legacy of the Philadelphia Region as the Garden Capital of the U.S.  The Haas family has also been known to give to many charities – they are ​considered one of the most philanthropic families in the Philadelphia Region.
The grand property that you will see on Mother’s Day is 42 of the original 

65 acre estate that was ​first purchased by Edmund Smith in 1877.  He then built a home and hired Charles H. Miller to create the first iteration of the landscape design. The second owner of the estate was Samuel Bodine, who built the stunning Tudor Revival home and at the beginning of the 20th century hired the Olmsted Brothers to redesign the Beaux Arts style landscape that he first commissioned. The Olmsteds created the majestic  park-like setting that exists today. Otto Haas bought the property in 1932 and the family lived at Stoneleigh for over 80 years before the John C. Haas Family transferred the property to the National Lands Trust in 2016.
Stoneleigh sits directly behind Villanova University. The proximity to Villanova University is not an accident as this area just outside of Philadelphia continues to be an area of palatial estates with magnificent trees and gardens. 

From the amazing stewardship of the Haas Family, you will stroll through a garden with magnificent trees – some are the largest of their species in Pennsylvania.  ​​​Little did I know that a month after my initial visit to Stoneleigh, I would be helping to plant some of the gardens with the Women in Horticulture.  I got to see the garden again in its spring color. 
​The Women in Horticulture planted two hundred plants as their service project for the garden. (Top right) Stoneleigh welcomes volunteer help that can be arranged with the staff.  Stoneleigh’s relationship with Villanova University has been galvanized – evident with the rabbit statue that sits on the corner of Stoneleigh at Spring Mill and County Line Roads. The rabbits were dressed in Villanova blue and white to celebrate the university’s big basketball win as the national champions during March Madness. The visitor kiosk will welcome everyone with free entry to the garden, which sits right off the parking area 

(Right). The Women in Horticulture worked to enhance the entry and parking areas.  They planted variegated yucca (Yucca filamentosa ‘Golden Sword’).  (Below)  An installation of spicebush (Lindera benzoin) and a native magnolia (Magnolia sp.) are being planted in the photo below - right . 
Stoneleigh’s plantings consist of native species and their cultivars to show the public the diversity and beauty of native species.    

The Stoneleigh staff’s commitment to the property is evident in the details to the new stone structures that are built from Wissahickon schist to match the home’s character. (Top right)  The pool house, entry kiosk and picnic pavilion (Bottom right) are masterfully crafted to fit the design period of the estate.     

The two large London planetrees (Platanus x acerifolia) flank either side of the Tudor Revival home. Their massive stance can be seen in comparison to a person’s size.

​The tunnel affect of the pergola will be a cooling retreat on a hot summer day in Philadelphia.

​The lychgate sits next to the old tennis court area that faces the picnic pavilion.  The history of this style structure dates to Medieval times when the old Saxon word lych meant corpse.  The corpse would be laid under the lychgate until burial – usually for three days. The cover was designed to keep the corpse and the bodyguards for the corpse dry from rain.  The first part of the funeral would begin under this structure where the priest would begin the prayers. In England the lychgate later took on a new meaning as an entryway to churches. Today they are used at the end of weddings for the bride and groom to pass through.  At Stoneleigh, the lychgate takes on a new function – a respite from the sun and becomes a dreamgate of a bygone era and a view to the future.

The family’s swimming pool has been filled in, but the design team kept the original outline of the pool to use as an events area. Flanking the blue stone patio are two large bog gardens filled with native plants that will provide interest during the summer months.  (Left) The adjoining pool house (bottom left) will also be used for events that can take advantage of the outdoor area. For the comfort of all who visit, amenities can be found at the pool house.  

The picnic pavilion welcomes visitors to dine alfresco in warm weather.

The twisted branches of the London planetree look like sculpture from years of growth.

The meadow in the spring shows hints of color that will soon yield to a curtain of green.

The cheery trees (Prunus spp.) along the side entry are a herald to spring – certainly vastly different from the snow-covered landscape that I saw on my first visit to Stoneleigh.

​The newly restored pergola will be covered with blooming vines that will attract pollinators, birds and other wildlife. This year it is planted with a border of wildflowers.

For more information on Stoneleigh, please see the sources below.  I hope to see you there!!
​
Stoneleigh: A Natural Garden can be accessed by commuter rail stopping at the Villanova Station.  The garden is a short walk from the station heading north on Spring Mill Road. 
​
Stoneleigh: A Natural Garden
1829 County Line Road
Villanova, PA 

Photos – by Eva Monheim​

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​Sources
​
Haas
https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/haas

John C. Haas
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_C._Haas

Lychgate
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lychgate

Natural Lands Trust
https://natlands.org/

Stoneleigh: A Natural Garden
https://stoneleighgarden.org/garden/home/

Stoneleigh to Become a Public Garden
https://www.phillymag.com/property/2016/05/04/natural-lands-trust-to-own-stoneleigh-as-public-garden/

Villanova’s 42-Acre Stoneleigh Estate to Become Public Garden
http://www.phillyvoice.com/villanovas-42-acre-stoneleigh-estate-become-public-garden/