Natchez -- Miss Lucy's Garden

Object Details

General: When purchased in 1993 there was a pecan tree growing in the otherwise unkempt one-tenth acre property that had a neglected 1850 apartment building and a second building, now a guest house. The owner designed four garden rooms: a keyhole-shaped boxwood parterre, rose and vegetable beds, an open lawn with borders, and a fountain surrounded by semi-tropical perennials. Six hedges were planted as backdrop and for privacy, including euonymus, Japanese yew and lavender crape myrtle. A washed gravel patio with all-weather furniture, planted containers and an outdoor sink were installed between the two buildings. The parterre and neighboring rose garden can be seen from one end of the patio, the fountain from the other. The perennial bed surrounding the fountain contains farfugium (leopard plant), fatsia, papyrus, and a camellia with a fig vine covering the wall behind. Roses, azaleas, camellias, and a hibiscus provide nearly year round color. In the mild climate the owner sows lettuce seeds in September and harvests greens until it's too hot; the vegetables are replaced by celosia grown from saved seed. Other vegetables and herbs include carrots, beets, Swiss chard, radishes, a permanent rosemary and basil. Persons associated with the garden include: the Dixon family (former owners, 1850-1920); Mrs. Alma Kellogg (former owner, 1920-1990); Cane Callon (former owner, 1990-1993); Robert Drane (garden assistant, 2000- )

Place: Miss Lucy's Garden (Natchez, Mississippi); United States of America -- Mississippi -- Adams County -- Natchez

See more items in: The Garden Club of America collection; The Garden Club of America collection / Series 1: United States Gardens / Mississippi

Sponsor: A project to describe images in this finding aid received Federal support from the Smithsonian Collections Care Initiative, administered by the National Collections Program.

Custodial History: The Garden Lovers of Natchez facilitated the 2018 submission of this garden's documentation.

Collection Citation: Smithsonian Institution, Archives of American Gardens, The Garden Club of America collection.

Collection Rights: Archives of American Gardens encourages the use of its archival materials for non-commercial, educational and personal use under the fair use provision of U.S. copyright law. Use or copyright restrictions may exist. It is incumbent upon the researcher to ascertain copyright status and assume responsibility for usage. All requests for duplication and use must be submitted in writing and approved by Archives of American Gardens. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.

Collection Restrictions: Access to original archival materials by appointment only. Researcher must submit request for appointment in writing. Certain items may be restricted and not available to researchers. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.