Old Town in Alexandria, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The Garden — Past and Present
1. The garden that you see today is conjectural no detailed information exists about the design of John Carlyle's garden though Carlyle's 1780 estate inventory together with other documentary evidence indicates that he had one on this site. It is probable that the garden was located here, to the rear of the house, with a good southeast exposure and out of the way of the foot traffic between outbuildings.
2. The terrace was added to the rear of the house in the mid-19th century by James Green, resident from 1848 to 1880 as seen in this circa 1920 view. Under the terrace are two storage cellars.
Today, both a formal, geometric and an informal plan garden in the 18th-century style have been planted. Typically, an 18th-century garden would have contained not only ornamentals, but also fruits and vegetables, although only ornamentals are planted today. Plant materials used in this rear garden are not necessarily 18th-century species.
2. Sample formal garden plan from New Principles of Gardening by Batty Langley, London 1728 From the 1971 reprint courtesy of Gregg International Surrey, England.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Horticulture & Forestry.
Location. 38° 48.31′ N, 77° 2.5′ W. Marker is in Alexandria, Virginia. It is in Old Town. Marker can be reached from North Fairfax Street. This marker is in the rear garden of Carlyle House. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 121 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria VA 22314, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A Very Different View: Living and Working in 1700s Alexandria (within shouting distance of this marker); Civil War and Restoration (within shouting distance of this marker); The Braddock Campaign and Carlyle House (within shouting distance of this marker); Braddock Road Mile "0" (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of the First Lot Sold at Auction (within shouting distance of this marker); Carlyle House Historic Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Bank of Alexandria (within shouting distance of this marker); Wise's Tavern (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alexandria.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 28, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 15, 2021, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 134 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 15, 2021, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. A wide view photo of the marker and the surrounding area together in context. • Can you help?