Southbury -- Muscolino Garden

Object Details

General: In 15 years of ownership a couple revitalized an early 1800's Cape Cod style house and designed gardens with outbuildings and features that support an indoor-outdoor lifestyle, increasing what had seemed like a small living space. There was a stone wall they liked and stone steps between the upper and lower terraces that were completely covered by weeds. Herringbone pattern brick was used to pave a patio and 15-foot pergola that extend back 20 feet to the low stone retaining wall of the lower terrace. Brick is used again for a porch floor on the other side of the house, and a similar color is picked up on the storage barn on the upper terrace. Upholstery on outdoor furniture repeats pinks and greens of climbing roses and impatiens growing inside and outside the pergola. More stone walls and walkways outline gardens and connect the house with the street. Rhododendron are used as foundation plants and wide flower beds are a mixture of perennials and annuals, limiting the amount of ground dedicated to lawn. A shaded island bed near a potting shed has a birdbath and is planted with pulmonaria, dicentra, sedum and astilbe. More water features include a water garden, a fountain alongside the house, and an antique water pump that is a decorative feature. Hydrangeas fill a corner, herbs are tucked in along low stone walls, and orange flowers grow in a sunny spot behind the garage.

Topic: Gardens -- Connecticut -- New Haven; Gardens -- Connecticut -- Southbury

See more items in: Irene Jeruss garden photography collection; Irene Jeruss garden photography collection / Garden Images / Connecticut

Collection Citation: Smithsonian Institution, Archives of American Gardens, Irene Jeruss Garden Photography 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.

Bibliography: This property is featured in "Living Large" by Marilyn Myers, published by "Woman's Day" Gardening and Deck Design special, undated.

Collection Restrictions: Access to collection 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.