Margaret and John C. White purchased a 13 acre estate in Falls Church in 1939.
It was on this lovely propety that they raised their children, and some of
the most spectacular rhodendrons and azaleas in the Washington D.C. area.
Many gardeners plant their shrubs in flower beds with paths between them.
With such a design, as the plants grow the landscape effect is lessened,
and the paths soon turn into tunnels. The Whites had a vision to design
the open areas or garden rooms first, and plant the shrubs around the perimeter.
Now reaching its maturity, the garden shows the wisdom of such an
approach, for each room provides inspiring vistas of the towering
rhododendrons across the lawn.
In order to preserve the unique horticultural legacy of this estate,
Margaret
has made arrangements to transfer this property to the Fairfax County
Park Authority, with the provision that the property be developed into
a Horticultural Center. We are grateful to Margaret and the rest of the
White family for preserving this beautiful estate for the rest of the
people in our region. A "Friends" group is being organized to help
support and maintain the White Garden.
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