The Gardens

The Hermitage is known for its beautiful grounds, which include twelve acres of formal gardens, forest, and wetlands.  The Lafayette River wraps around the Hermitage on three sides, providing a beautiful backdrop to walks through the gardens, wedding ceremonies, and outdoor events.  The wetlands and woodlands provide a natural habitat for hundreds of plants and animals including a variety of waterfowl and migrating birds.
 


In 1908, when the Sloanes began construction on the Hermitage as their summer retreat, Mrs. Sloane began to beautify the grounds, incorporating the design of the house into the gardens. For the next thirty years, she created a beautiful landscape, extending her artistic vision into the gardens and including art pieces into the designs. The gardens feature 103 millstones, many of which comprise the Millstone Court at the main entrance.  Along the south side of the house is a colorful English-style perennial border along a pathway leading into the waterfront lawn. A large southern magnolia stands sentinel on the east lawn. The stone terrace features a bronze fountain, "Girl with a Shell" by Edward McCarten. Rosemary, hollyhock, and fennel predominate under a handsomely carved niche by Karl von Rydingsvard in the 1920s. 

The gardens feature a mixture of flowering plants, shrubs and trees. Roses, daffodils, peonies, Japanese anemones, Russian sage, black-eyed susans, and other sun-loving perennials surround bronze sculptures, benches, brick and cobblestone foot paths, and stoned terraces. The gardens are accented by various unique plant containers, two of which sit on the tiled terrace outside the Gothic music room. From a shady alcove filled with camellias and ferns, a large and very old purple wisteria covers the museum entrance in the millstone courtyard.  

Circular Garden

The east end of the Hermitage looks out on a large circular semi-formal garden. This walled garden overlooking the Lafayette River features slate patios, a cobblestone walkway, and wrought-iron fences. Steps at one end lead to a millstone walkway where Mrs. Sloane had a bird aviary.  Steps from the other end lead to wetlands and a newly built living shoreline. The plants include viburnums, smoke trees, lilacs, boxwoods, hydrangeas, daffodils, tulips, irises, peonies, daylilies, and ferns.

The Grotto

An archway at the northeast corner of the Hermitage house museum leads to the walled garden, the children's garden, and a grotto. Dwarf evergreens form the backdrop for the David Turner bronze wildlife sculptures in the children's garden.

To reach the cherub and dolphin fountain in the grotto, visitors follow a long border containing hollies, crape myrtles, cedars, azaleas, camellias, daffodils, irises, ferns, columbines, and hellebores. Shaded by a large live oak, the grotto remains cool even on the hottest days. An adjoining bench built into the brick wall invites visitors to rest and to contemplate the expansive view and the nearby bog garden.

Wetland Gardens

During the 2006 Wetlands Restoration, over 5000 native marsh grasses were planted to create a ½-acre Living Shoreline.  The project was a joint effort of     The Hermitage Foundation, NOAA Restoration Center, The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the Elizabeth River Project, and the City of Norfolk.  In addition, many volunteers devoted several hours of their time to the effort.  This project will help to control erosion and make the Wetlands Gardens a habitat for many species of fish, wildlife, and native plants.  The Wetlands Gardens plan includes many varieties of flowering plants, as well as the construction of a boardwalk along the perimeter.  Educational markers will be added along the way to help the public appreciate the importance of wetlands to a healthy, thriving ecosystem.

The family's commitment to horticulture, hospitality, and culture spans close to a 100 years and continues to delight visitors from all over. The gracious historical brick wall embraces the garden and house as one.

The current gardens are a combination of original garden design and newer interpretation. Nature lovers, birders, gardeners, picnickers and people who simple want to enjoy the beauty of a tranquil setting appreciate the Hermitage grounds—a prized green space in the middle of the city of Norfolk.
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For more information on The Hermitage Wetlands Project please contact Curator of Gardens, Yolima Carr at 757-423-2052 x202 or at yc@thfm.org.

The Hermitage Foundation Museum
7637 North Shore Road
Norfolk VA 23505

© 2006 Hermitage Foundation Museum. All Rights Reserved