Fair Lane Henry Ford Estate landscape gardens Clara Ford University of Michigan hoticulture

rs. Ford's love of gardening and horticulture was said to be second only to her devotion to her husband and family.

rs. Ford's love of gardening and horticulture was said to be second only to her devotion to her husband and family. Her tastes in gardening were simple, at least as far as design and color were concerned. She preferred old-fashioned plant varieties such as Bachelor Buttons,

Clara and Henry Ford and guest in
the Early Rose Garden (now known as the English Garden) c 1917

Petunias, Irises, Peonies, Tulips, Lillies, Heliotropes, Delphiniums, Forget-Me-Nots, English Primrose, Scilla and, of course, Roses planted in relatively informal patterns. Indoors, her fondness for gardening was expressed by a variety of small cut flowers in small glass vases that were displayed in each room. In addition, there were assortments of foliage plants, especially located in the Swimming Pool area.

Clara Ford spent many hours planning, touring, and pampering her treasured Blue, English, and Rose Gardens, always on the lookout for imperfections such as a misplaced marigold among a sea of aqua and sky-blue blossoms. Her efforts were recognized publicly when she served as a president of the Women's National Farm and Garden Association from 1927-34.

It has been a number of years since the majority of Fair Lane's elaborate gardens have been planted and pampered the way they must have been when Mrs. and Mr. Ford were in residence. Consider, if you will, that Mrs. Ford routinely employed 25 fulltime gardeners in 1926. However, while these gardeners helped to cultivate estate grounds, there were only five servants that maintained the entire residence.

It would be almost impossible for the Henry Ford Estate-Fair Lane, as a non-profit organization, to restore each garden area fully. However, restoration of certain areas to their early 1920's state is now proceeding. The garden scheme being implemented reflects the original plan of Jens Jensen.

CLICK HERE > View Clara Ford's "Blue Garden" - Fair Lane

he Blue Garden beautified the view from the bay windows of the Dining Room, Palm Hall, and Swimming Pool. Close to the riverside, this garden is positioned at a lower level and separated from the English Garden by a small stone staircase . . . more >

CLICK HERE > View The Original ROse Garden, now known as the English Garden - Fair Lane

he Early Rose Garden was designed in 1916 by Jens Jensen. This garden consisted of approximately 250 roses, with an oblong pond at the back, a players green behind it and a back drop of evergreen trees . . . more >

CLICK HERE > View The Peony Garden - Fair Lane

rs. Ford's Peony Garden began between 1922 and 1923.Shaped into a design of a butterfly, this garden was located on the lawn opposite Fair Lane's drive, just northeast of its current location. The original garden contained up to 1,200 peony bushes. . . . more >

CLICK HERE > View The Trail Gardens - Fair Lane

small trail leading from the Music Room Terrace opens a walkway for guests to enjoy a series of "outdoor rooms" which are a portion of the Trail Gardens. . . more >

CLICK HERE > View The Formal Rose Garden - Fair Lane

rior to 1926, the entire system of Trail Gardens occupied the meadow that ran parallel to Jensen's Meadow. After 1926, a large part of this area was developed into the Formal Rose Garden. The showpiece of the Fair Lane Estate, over 10,000 plants once graced this three acre garden plot (maintained by approximately 25 gardeners). . . more >

CLICK HERE > View The Rock Garden or Alpine Garden - Fair Lane

oted as the Rock Garden or Alpine Garden, this particular feature is built into the river bank slope, just northwest of Mrs. Ford's boat house. . . more >

CLICK HERE > View The Vegetable Garden - Fair Lane

enry and Clara Ford developed their Vegetable Garden around one of Fair Lane's 300-year-old Bur Oak trees. The garden consisted of a variety of vegetables including rhubarb and asparagus. . . more >

Site Map Click Here