Lake Forest -- Carton Garden, The

Object Details

sova.aag.gca_ref6820
GUID
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/kb670083e66-278e-4715-aee8-8f4b7aee9bbe
General
The Carton Garden is a two and one-half acre property on a one hundred year flood plain, west of the natural ridge that extends from Chicago to Wisconsin, tiled land that was a marshy area of the original prairie. A contemporary house by architect Roy Binkley was built in 1984, with design elements derived from Bauhaus and New England saltbox. Large Palladian windows provide solar gain in the winter, and the garden maintenance regime is based on Integrated Pest Management (I.P.M.) to reduce the use of chemicals. The current Carton Garden and house were created after the owners subdivided their original holding of six acres. Landscape architect Anthony Tyznik, FALSA, began working with the owners in 1955 and on this property in 1984, and continues to consult with the owner.
Tyznik designed a semi-circular brick terrace to connect the house to the meandering lawn, which connects to all other parts of the rectangular property. There is a kitchen garden room, planted in both flowers and herbs, and a woodland garden of mature white pines under planted with deciduous trees, shrubs, and ferns and hostas on the garden floor. A shady area is used as an outdoor reading room in summer with the sculpture SeeSaw by Nenne van Dijk nearby which is the focal point of the garden; a secret garden next to the house has a treasured wooden mushroom from the garden of the Prince of Wales; the swimming pool and pool house in the modern international style were designed by Chicago architect Arthur Myhrum in the 1960's. A wall next to the pool house is criss-crossed by espaliered pear trees, and beyond the pool house there is a tennis court. A potager in the style of the 17th century has a fountain surrounded by medicinal herbs and raised beds for growing summer vegetables.
Anthony Tyznik designed a pond for one corner of the property, which attracts wild fowl and bullfrogs. A dog cemetery has inscriptions from Shakespeare and Whittier on its stones. There is an orchard of fruit trees and a campfire with rustic furnishings under spruce trees. The design extends to all four corners of the property, all of which has been thoughtfully planned, planted and tended.
In addition to the Carton Garden, Anthony Tyznik has designed The Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois and The King Residence in Burr Ridge, Illinois.
Persons and firms associated with the garden include Corson and Roberta Ellis (previous owners, 1928-1950); Roy Binkley (architect, 1984); Anthony Tyznik, FALSA (landscape architect, 1955-2009); Julie Siegel (landscape designer); Nenne van Dijk (sculptress, 1992); Arthur Myhrum (architect of pool and pool house, circa 1960).
Landscape architect
Tyznik, Anthony
Architect
Binkley, Roy
Landscape designer
Siegel, Julie
Sculptor
van Dijk, Nenne
Architect
Myhrum, Arthur
Former owner
Ellis, Corson
Ellis, Roberta
Provenance
Lake Forest Garden Club
Collection Creator
Garden Club of America
Place
The Carton Garden (Lake Forest, Illinois)
United States of America -- Illinois -- Lake County -- Lake Forest
Topic
Gardens -- Illinois -- Lake Forest
Landscape architect
Tyznik, Anthony
Architect
Binkley, Roy
Landscape designer
Siegel, Julie
Sculptor
van Dijk, Nenne
Architect
Myhrum, Arthur
Former owner
Ellis, Corson
Ellis, Roberta
Provenance
Lake Forest Garden Club
See more items in
The Garden Club of America collection
The Garden Club of America collection / Series 1: United States Garden Images / Illinois
Sponsor
A project to describe images in this finding aid received Federal support from the Smithsonian Collections Care Initiative, administered by the National Collections Program.
Custodial History
The Lake Forest Garden Club facilitated the submission of this garden's documentation.
Archival Repository
Archives of American Gardens
Identifier
AAG.GCA, File IL125
Type
Archival materials
Collection Citation
Smithsonian Institution, Archives of American Gardens, The Garden Club of America collection.
Collection Rights
Archives of American Gardens encourages the use of its archival materials for non-commercial, educational and personal use under the fair use provision of U.S. copyright law. Use or copyright restrictions may exist. It is incumbent upon the researcher to ascertain copyright status and assume responsibility for usage. All requests for duplication and use must be submitted in writing and approved by Archives of American Gardens. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
Scope and Contents
The folder includes worksheets, site plans, historical information about the house and garden, photocopies of articles about the property and garden, reference images, and other information.
Collection Restrictions
Access to original archival materials by appointment only. Researcher must submit request for appointment in writing. Certain items may be restricted and not available to researchers. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
Related Materials
The Carton Garden related holdings consist of 1 folder (19 digital images + reference photographs)
AAG.GCA_ref6820
Large EAD
AAG.GCA
AAG
Record ID
ebl-1643208220039-1643210179354-0
Lake Forest -- Carton Garden, The
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