A Proper Victorian Rose Garden
by Janness Abraham

ARTICLE FIRST APPEARED: 1999 Summer

In May of 1998, a rose garden was designed and planted for the historic Charles S. Dole mansion located in Crystal Lake, Illinois. Dole was a Chicago grain merchant [Armour, Dole & Co.] and charter member of the Chicago Board of Trade who purchased 450 acres in the early 1860's and built a grand Italianate estate which he maintained until 1901.

The rose garden is in a shape that was popular during the late 1880's, and the roses that were chosen are those that would have been planted at that time. The garden is located on the north side of the mansion, directly under the bay window, exactly where it would have been placed during Victorian times. The garden is edged with Nepeta x faassenii, which is trimmed back after its first blooming to create a neat edging.

The entire garden was funded through donations, most in someone's memory, and the roses are plaqued accordingly. The rose garden has been named "Wingate Memorial Rose Garden" after the late Bill & Ardath Wingate. Bill was a popular naturalist in McHenry County.

Janness Abraham is a garden designer and horticultural restorationist who owns Forever Gardens in Crystal Lake, IL. She can be reached at (815) 455-0408 or via forevergardens@gardener.com.

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