Ilex Parterre Garden

Gardens like these were a staple of the Victorian Era when the Jays owned the property. This garden pays homage to the many parterres of Mary Rutherfurd Jay, one of America's first landscape architects who transformed at least 50 properties all across the country. She took inspiration from the original Jay Gardens in Rye. The middle of each circle is very flexible in what it contains -- not only can it house annuals, but sculptures can also call it home. Key plants grown here include salvias and sages.

Traditionally these spaces would have been framed by boxwood shrubs but our landscape architects have selected ilex instead which is more drought resistant and deer resistant.