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I'm contemplating making an offer on a historic garden which is part of a property dating to 1750. The house is for sale with the garden, of course, but the listing mentions that the lot with the garden, which is deeded separately, could also be sold separately. Of course, the listing also states that the property is worth more with the garden than without, since it would have much less privacy (the master bedroom overlooks the garden). However, in these busy times, I can envision that, notwithstanding the fact that the house itself needs a lot of work, many people would not want to take on the maintenance of a formal, elaborate boxwood garden along with the other plantings. A great deal depends on the executor's willingness to split the lots and whether the small, historic town will allow a shed on the garden lot for tools, etc. This will be a real adventure if it succeeds! I'm touring the house and grounds tomorrow, hopefully.
Historical designation? How much control will you have over the garden, will there be restrictions on what you can and can't do? I think it sounds like it could be interesting, any chance you might have pictures to share?
Foregive me for asking, but why do you want to buy the garden lot? If you're able to buy it what would you do with it?
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Because it would be a fantastic opportunity to maintain and improve a historic garden that has been neglected and needs upkeep. I'm also running out of room at my house and would like more room to plant native plants in a real showcase setting. I'd also use it as a project garden for my garden club and could possibly get approval from my Master Gardener chapter to maintain it for which I could get credit hours. I'd have to have it open to the public to do that though, which might be problematic. It would be intriguing though to approach that angle.
However, the realtor did inform me that the seller received an offer today for the home and is inclined to accept it, so it might be dead in the water from the get-go, unless the buyer wants to divide the lot as well. Dang it, it's been on the market for over 6 months, and the day I call to see it, an offer comes in.
Last edited by Bungalove; 07-18-2022 at 08:52 PM..
Historical designation? How much control will you have over the garden, will there be restrictions on what you can and can't do? I think it sounds like it could be interesting, any chance you might have pictures to share?
The house itself has historic designation since it dates from 1750, 1800, and has a modern addition from 1994. The garden dates from the early period as well and is a formal English boxwood garden, but is not, itself, under any restrictions. However, it would be a travesty to change the formal garden section to something not in keeping with the house even if the lot were legally divided since it is physically so close to the house. The entire property is enclosed with one continuous fence. There is a large portion of the lot that is available for native plants that would still complement the formal garden as well as the rest of the lot and be appropriate to the era of the house.
If you want to Google the property, it's at 305 Market St., Port Royal, VA.
Interesting place. I see what you mean about the boxwood garden being neglected. Man, oh man does that house ever need a lot of repair work done on it though. But all of it is cool. I like it a lot and could see me happily living in a place like that. It's sort of a combination of really old and new. I like the kitchen.
Believe it or not, if a house and property just like that was getting sold here it wouldn't go for less than 5 or 6 million....... probably a lot more.
Nice, thanks for the link. Absolutely beautiful property, in need of a lot of love and money, lol. I can see why you'd like to get your hands on that garden, bringing that back to glory would be a real achievement!
"a formal, elaborate boxwood garden" cardboard boxes painted green will give the same visual appeal as a boxwood, and are far easier to maintain. I must be the only gardener in VA that doesn't think the boxwood is some kind of national treasure.....
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