Behind the Private Gates

Inspiring Garden Design: Winter at Parterre

February 13, 2025 by Bettie Bearden Pardee
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2025 has certainly distinguished itself early on as a singular year! ~ After two decades, a new head gardener will be identified, interviewed, and hired, ~ the Great Horned Owls that nested here during Covid for the first time ever, are now back and sending nightly love calls to each other (the male has also been seen in a nest just outside the garden gates), and ~ I was in residence for the prettiest snow ever. Two to three inches encasing everything as though it were sugared fruit!! It was so cold the snow couldn’t melt and stayed on for four days. But what was so special about this particular weather event was that, after a full night of non-stop snowing, the day dawned in full sun, casting magical shadows over the Fountain Garden and light in places where I’d never seen it before (like through the Orangerie window).

In winter, a long respected garden design tenet reveals itself…that what underpins any exceptional garden are the “great bones”-structure, proportion, and scale-all of which are accentuated at this time of year, whether they be pruned hedges,

statuary and stone containers,


or garden benches.

I loved the dramatic visions against blue skies with white puffs of clouds…

and providing a contrast to the architectural details of the house.

It’s all part of the marvelous “theater” that takes place in this most frigid of seasons.

Aaaah, against the striking calmness…the season to think, reflect, and plan, while enjoying the bones of the garden.

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About Bettie Bearden Pardee

Author of Private Newport and Living Newport, garden furniture designer (The Parterre Bench), national lecturer, and entertaining expert. An honoree for the second year on "The Salonniere 100 America's Best Party Hosts", she was also the host and creative producer of "The Presidential Palate: Entertaining at the White House".

10 thoughts on “Inspiring Garden Design: Winter at Parterre”

  1. Absolutely magical moments captured in the light of the snow. Gorgeous photos. Thank you for sharing the beauty of your home.

  2. Looking at your pictures gives me such a “high,” that I have decided you have been served with “garden cocaine!”

  8. Shows to go you that the bones of adroit planning radiate when snow-covered…another perspective of the garden infrequently seen, but an outstanding reflection.
    These views are a tribute to your design.

  9. LOVELY LADY, VAL. DAY

    ONCE AGAIN, YOU PROVE THAT YOU ARE:

    “A ‘WOMAN’ – FOR ALL SEASONS!”
    FONDLY,

    TOM GARDNER

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