The Bulb Garden originated as the summer perennial bulb garden. In early spring, 105 rows of narcissus would begin a parade of blossoms that lasted all summer. Poppies followed by white Siberian iris and several different varieties of lilies. The garden had been lined with cypress trees but they were torn out years ago after continued weather damage. Fencing fills the space where the cypress trees once stood, keeping deer from munching on all the free food.
After this garden fell into disrepair in the late 20th century, renewal began in 2016. The garden was renovated and is now maintained in memory of Professor Mark E. Roszkowski. The renovated garden was designed by James Schmidt using principles of Gertrude Jekyll, an influential horticulturist and landscape architect during the time that that Robert Allerton built the mansion and gardens. The garden features multi-season bulbs and annual plantings to provide a succession of bloom throughout the growing season.
Text in-part courtesy of Maureen Holtz.
