The Formal Gardens designed by Thomas Sears are rooted along a central path that branches out to connect the ornamental garden and the vegetable garden. A cross path divides the formal gardens into four garden “rooms” called parterres. These curated garden rooms serve as living collections, each with their own “exhibition” title: Pink & White Garden, West Rose Garden, East Rose Garden, and Blue & Yellow Garden.
In addition to these designed and maintained spaces, you’ll find Japanese-style tea houses, pergolas, two fountains, perennial and shrub borders, and specimen trees.
While landscape architects originally advocated for the formal gardens to be an extension of the main residence, Katharine Reynolds wanted her gardens to be an extension of the greenhouses. This allowed the gardens to be accessible to the public from Reynolda Road and ensured the privacy of the family.