At Its 88th, Georgetown Garden Tour Impresses

Nine gardens of Georgetown were open May 7, as neighbors, horticulturalists and the curious visited some spectacular back yards from the east side to the west side of town.

Each place proved its special worth — whether it was the Pyne household on 30th Street with its unexpected spaciousness so close to M Street and the Old Stone House, the Langhornes’ sweep of lawn and pool on 31st Street, next to the Tudor Place property or Connie Milstein’s classic pool and gardens on R Street.

Across from Milstein, the Terceks’ efficiently planned patio and garden delighted, too, as did the garden of Jackie Pletcher and Charlie Eisen on O Street. Especially surprising were the gardens of Jane Hannaway on Dumbarton Street and those of John Danielson on Scott Place — tucked away and carefully thought out but with a natural flow.

Newcomer Kevin Plank and wife Desiree impressed with a re-do of the gardens on 34th Street by Amy Mills, prompting the garden club to opine: “This house and garden have recently undergone a dramatic renovation, with great care in preserving original details while implementing the latest technology. A large ballroom and outdoor terrace overlook the formal lawn while, hidden around a corner, one discovers a long lap pool. A rare treasure, the home once belonged to Evangeline and David Bruce.”

Other garden club comments — some of which are from “Gardens of Georgetown” by Edith Schafer — included the following:

The Pyne residence: “Passing into this grand and stately garden takes you into another world: a charming latticed cupola/library full of garden books, a big swimming pool, levels and terraces, a playhouse, a small octagonal ornamental pool, a greenhouse, named varieties of boxwood, and a knockout vegetable garden planted like a parterre, designed by Adrian Higgins, garden writer for the Washington Post.”

The Langhorne house: “Artifacts of historical interest have been found in this spacious and handsome garden that was once part of Tudor Place. Clever aids are incorporated into the design to provide handicap access: a special lift for the pool and very soft walkways made of shredded tires. Gordon Riggle, landscape architect.”

The Milstein residence: “This handsome and imposing garden has a distinctly European feel to it emphasized by its formal statuary and fountains. But the formality is softened by the plantings: a riot of color and a variety of interesting flowers in unusual combinations – purples and lime greens for instance—are used to great effect.”

The Danielson home: “An utterly beguiling garden! A round pond with a round umbrella-shaped red Japanese maple and a circular patio are on the upper level from which the viewer looks down on a glorious mix of small shrubs and a continuation of the round theme. The result is marvelous!”