A Revisit to Old Westbury Gardens, Long Island, NY

Old Westbury House Old Westbury Gardens

I am now going through some photographs I took previously while revisiting Old Westbury Gardens during the month of September. Old Westbury Gardens are located on the North Shore of Long Island along Long Island's famous Gold Coast. The 23 room Westbury House Charles II-style mansion is the former country residence of the well known financier and sportsman John Shaffer Phipps, son of Henry Philipps of Carnegie Steel Company, his wife Margarita Grace Phipps and their four children. The meticulously maintained mansion and gardens are breathtaking and they are one of my favorite places to visit.

Old Westbury Mansion Estate Grounds-Bench

While exiting the mansion one of the first encounters is this beautiful stone bench located on the raised brick patio overlooking the expansive lawn.  Looking beyond the lawn various paths lead to the numerous gardens on the estate. 

Arbor Leading to Rose Garden

The view of this twisted arbor with climbing roses and wisteria vine looks beautiful even in fall with some of the roses still blooming as it leads to an English-style rose garden.

Old Westbury Mansion South Lawn.

Standing back the mansion stands stately with manicured yew topiary and ivy.

Butterfly Moth Close Up on Bloom

Even though it is fall at Old Westbury Gardens the blooms are abundant.  I was able to get this close up of a Butterfly Moth enjoying the nectar of this beautiful flower.

Dahlia Old Westbury Gardens
 

The massive bloom of this Dahlia took my breath away. It must of been at least six to seven inches in diameter and certainly one of the most magnificent blooms I have ever seen so I had to capture it! 

Dahlia Old Westbury Gardens

 The beauty of nature never ceases to amaze me with the perfection of this flower.  A repetition of perfectly alternating petals makes this bloom a product of nature's artwork.

Thatched Cottage Old Westbury Gardens

One of my favorite places to visit on the grounds of Old Westbury Gardens is this beautiful thatched cottage and garden. The quaint English-style cottage and garden was a gift to the only Philipps daughter Peggie for her tenth birthday in 1910.

Thatched Cottage Garden Old Westbury Gardens

An abundance of colorful blooms from numerous perennials and annuals can be seen at every visit.

Temple of Love Old Westbury Gardens

The "Temple of Love" is a romantic 18th century designed stone gazebo with a lace-like wrought iron roof which creates the perfect spot for a photographic moment. Bordering the pond a glimpse of the back lawn and mansion can be seen as a reflection in the quiet water.

Walled Garden Old Westbury Gardens

One of the additional highlights to Old Westbury Gardens is the magnificent Walled Garden with an expansive pergola and lotus pond. The gardens consist of an assortment of evergreens, flowering shrubs, perennials, ornamental grasses, bulbs and annuals that offer a beautiful display in all seasons.

Lotus Pond at Walled Garden Old Westbury Gardens

The lotus pond is the home to Koi fish and Lotus blooms.

Lotus Bloom Close Up at Walled Garden Old Westbury Gardens



Looking Back at the Walled Garden Old Westbury

I wait in anticipation until my next visit to this beautiful part of Long Island heritage. Old Westbury Gardens, Inc. was formed in 1959 in order to preserve the mansion and gardens. Open to the public, Old Westbury is partially funded by an endowment while the operating funds for running all educational and cultural programs is derived mainly from admission fees, the annual appeal, membership, corporate and foundation grants, gifts and donations, as well as special events. I feel fortunate to have these magnificent gardens and mansion so near to home and am in awe every time I encounter them.

For more information visit Old Westbury Gardens.

 

As Always...Happy Gardening!

 

Author: Lee@A Guide To Northeastern Gardening, Copyright 2013. All rights reserved