Anne Cummings White Garden

The Anne Cummings White Garden is comprised of the hillside located on the East side of the Conservatory.  It was designed by Austin Aischeid of Chicago.  He specializes in “naturalistic plantings that are dynamic, ecologically sound, emotionally moving, and dynamic in every season.”

As you enter the Garden at the top South East corner of the conservatory you have a spectacular view of Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. You can also enter the Anne Cummings White Garden from a stepping stone path by the rose garden or from several paths along the Lake Sydnor pathway. Austin designed the hillside to be divided into two parts. The main meadow style garden is designed to be low maintenance and easier than a typical meadow with a balance of style and repetition. The second part, the woodland garden, provides shade and a transition zone from Ann Lee’s Meadow and down to Lake Sydnor.

This is a habitat garden with approximately 22,000 plants. There are about 100 different species of perennials and grasses and roughly 60 species of trees and shrubs. 70-80% of plants are native varieties. The meadow style area was designed to grow to an average to be about 30-36” tall; this is a little taller than the planting design of Ann Lee’s meadow. Most of the plants are sun to part sun. Austin consciously chose plants that work together, are low maintenance, and don’t usually over seed. The scale and scope of this along with the site are spectacular.