The Washington times., 1934-05-12
Is Noted for It's
Lawns and
Trees
BY BETSY CAsWELL.,
WonIGn'S Page Editor

OF Mr.. and Mrs. James Clement
Dunn, on Observatory Circle,
II noted for its spacious, Slop-
ing lawns, and its many small,
blossoming fruit trees, which
fill the air with fragrance. and
the eye with delight.
Here and there, against the
weathered rustic fence, and the
green Of grass and shrubbery,
an apple or a pear tree filings
q drift Of snow; directly oppo-
site the wide stone terrace,
against the far wall, there Is
q cherry tree in a perfect cloud
Of rosy glory.
General Scheme
The general scheme Of the
garden just at this season,
appears to be mainly pink and
white.
One descends onto the lawn,
from the elevated terrace, by
means of a flight Of double
steps, banked across the en-
tire front by a great mass Of
English lockwood.
At the foot of each flight,
is a blaze Of pink azalea, and
planted before the dark green
= box is a row of pale pink tu-
lips, standing out exqu1sitely
against the shadowy back
ground.
Mrs. Dunn has a gift for
planting these where they are
most effective: one finds them
encircling the base of a gray
tree-trunk; in stately array be-
fore a Soft-toned brick wall;
against a weathered rustic
fence; and edging the approach
to the rock-garden where the
very rugged aspect of the
stones serves to enhance the
slim flowers ethereal quality.
Masses Of Blooms
The garden is somewhat like
an ''L" in shape, being at the
back and one side OF the
house. Evergreens are banked
along the far wall, forming a
screen to insure the utmost
privacy, and thick shrubbery
follows the rustic fence along
the other sides. Here one finds
masses Of lilac, purple and
white, and a pink dogwood,
bursting with bloom,
The beds at the foot Of the
shrubs are filled with white
narcissus, pink hyacinths, and
more of the pale pink tulips;
along one whole side beneath
great rhododendronS and
mountain-laurel bushes are
masses of lilieS-of-the-vaNey.
In the far righthand corner,
as seen from the terrace, is a
delightful little retreat, filled
with tall trees, honeysuckle,
and mosSedged stepping
stones, that lead to the rock
garden. This is filled with
pale alpines, among them the
tiny blue lupineS so beloved by
all rock garden enthusiasts.
There is a stone bench here,
where one may pause to enjoy
the spring sunshine, the birds,
and the carpet Of violetS. at
ones feet.
Following the stepping-stones
out Of this quiet spot, one
passes great clumps Of day.
lilies, more laurel, and more
lilacS, maSSed before the fence,
which is nearly covered with
honeySuckle. Pale yellow and
white narciSsus spring up
unexpectedly, and above them
a red maple supports q birch
bark bird house.
Loved and Used
Lilacs, azaleas, and tulips
cluster about the brick wall,
which has a black painted door
set into 1t, opening out into
the front driveway. Closed, it
has all the mystery of those
doors found in English gar.
dens-which, even though they
proSaically lead to a kitchen
garden, or the stables, some
how remain full Of potential
surprise when shut.
Where the wall Joins the
house a climbing rose clings to
the bricks, and maSSed below,
all along the base Of the house
itself, are Towering shrubs
forsythis, bridal wreath, Spirea,
and SNOWFALL bushes: and here
are placed two big green chairs.
Another group Of green chairs
and a table stand near the
pink dogwood tree, and one
gains the impression that this
garden is truly loved, and used.
Like rooms constantly lived
in, it has that warm person
ality and charm that no
amount Of decorators plan
ming" can ever produce, and
in it hospitality walks hand
3ThoY16 with hooYItv