DeFries Gardens: June 2022

September 1, 2022 by Linda Welch

story and Photos by Gail K.

The second leg of our journey took us to the Defries Gardens in New Paris, IN. A bit of history-

Dr. DeFries & wife donated 13 acres & a farmhouse to the Elkhart County Parks. Their endowment supports the upkeep of two distinct gardens on this site.

Let’s explore the “Calendar Garden” first. Most of us had some concept of a Bible Garden; not the case with a Calendar Garden.

Landscaper designer, Jon Cutrell is credited for creating this garden & to this day continues to oversee & care for the gardens. The main feature of a calendar garden is the design…..

“the circle”-365 feet, correlate with days in our year. Dates are marked on the bricks along with significant seasonal dates- note color of bricks—

Additionally; along the pathway are structures within the planted areas. These serve specific purposes.

Each month is marked by a “gateway “allowing visitors to view plants within a span of time; month to month.

Markers-like above, are “Lunar.” The orbs represent cycles of the moon and move within the

design based on the date when a “full” moon will occur. In the event of a blue moon-they use a blue orb.

A platform gave opportunity to experience a full overall view of the garden…..Summer Solstice

JUST AWESOME!!!!

I hope to fully capture the uniqueness of this garden with my photos.

Below is a crosswalk-these areas mark an equinox or a solstice and align with the axis points of north, south, east & west. Very intriguing—-

At the end of each axis on the outside circle- sits a pavilion reflecting a specific “season”–

Below- Spring Equinox: represented by a functional greenhouse. see the lunar post??

Crazy how this is all set up-very complex to say the least.

Winter-Solstice

even the inside reflects the season of cold- quilts, fireplace

Along with days, months, seasons & moons. There is the major component of pairing plantings within each specific time-season ex: Winter view Evergreens, Conifers etc

Below: the group takes respite in the shade of the winter pavilion to view & discuss the plantings. This is not an ordinary or simple garden!!! It’s like A PUZZLE.

FALL: as viewed from Spring..

Above-Outside view Below-Inside
per brochure: represents being able to still enjoy outside but retreat inside if temps cool.
Simple yet complex mental process-just like nature itself.

Selecting the plantings- should be hardy in this zone & if at all possible native to Indiana.

Then planted in the “time” span when it will be in bloom.

hard to “show it all”, some extras photo Opps to share the not so obvious diversity in this garden.

Lenten Rose above & water feature with lily pads in bloom: below

February-March area of the garden

Above: Can you tell what this area is???

Below: the roof top of Autumn Equinox

Looks like the girls are trying to find their way over to the homestead garden

So let’s follow; it should be straight ahead thru this arbor.

The Farmhouse and the veggie garden

gardens surrounding the farmhouse- very clear that nature & plants were a major focus for the Defries.
These gardens are a living tribute to that…

Look a little house…….with a mouse
Speaking of home…..time to grab a late lunch and start the trek back to Michigan Thank you Marie for telling us about these gardens& thank you to the DeFries & Mr. Cutrell for publicly sharing.
Love gardens?? We suggest a visit to these Indiana gardens.