Leonard Buck Garden

History

The Leonard J. Buck Garden design was conceived by two remarkable men: Leonard J. Buck, who owned the land and first envisioned the garden; and Zenon Schreiber, a Swiss landscape designer who had established himself as the premier rock garden designer in the United States.

In 1937 Buck purchased the property, situated in a 90-ft deep, 600-ft wide gorge of geological interest, and renamed it Allwood. When Schreiber was invited by Buck to visit his property, he agreed that the deep ravine and rocky outcrops could serve as the starting point for an exceptional rock garden. Thus began a 30-year collaboration.

Mr. Buck’s commitment to his garden was matched by Mr. Schreiber, who began developing the garden in 1943. Both men were driving perfectionists and avid plant collectors, who collaborated on the creation of the Buck Garden, overseeing even the smallest details.

In addition to clearing and cultivating the 12 distinct rock outcroppings, Zenon Schreiber designed the landscaping of the cultivated land (about 12 acres) that encompassed them. He extended the clearing and cultivating process well into the surrounding woods in order to avoid a sudden division between woods and garden. With the major rocks as interest points, he oversaw the construction of paths and steps to lead one through the garden, as well as additional plantings to pull together the separate rock gardens into a single garden.

By 1953 seven of the individual rock outcroppings had been achieved, with the remaining rock gardens completed during the next few years.

Zenon Schreiber’s garden design is a prime example of the naturalistic rock garden design movement of the mid-twentieth century. The rock gardens he created were characterized by sweeping masses of plants, gently curved paths, and the liberal use of water.

Plants of note

Extensive collections of hardy ferns, unusual shade perennials, and rock garden plants.
Two spectacular 115' tall dawn redwood trees as well as many ornamental flowering tree cultivars of Stewartia, Styrax, Halesia, Chionanthus, Aesculus, and Magnolia. The garden has wonderful displays of Japanese primroses and Azaleas in early May. Colorful grasses, perennials and aquatic plantings brighten the summer garden. In autumn and winter, the fall foliage colors, wildlife attracting berries, and wonderful textures and subtle colors of tree bark add interest.