arden and landscape architecture were a vital component in the overall atmosphere at Fair Lane. The Fords enlisted the era's leading landscape architect, Jens Jensen , to transform the surrounding flat farmland into panorama of flowering trees, enticing meadows, sweeping lawns, elegant gardens and ornamental cascades.

Jens Jensen was a landscape artist whose skill was as much sought out as that of the renowned architect, Frank Lloyd Wright. He spent a tremendous amount of time (over a span of 6 years) in site development at the estate.

Fair Lane contained several separate and distinctive garden landscapes, each expressing a different love or interest of the Fords. From the windows of the dining room, Mrs. Ford enjoyed her Blue Garden, an area of flowers devoted to her favorite color. Nearer to the river, her husband created a grotto to honor his friend, John Burroughs (complete with steam heated birdbath). From the terrace off the south wing, Mrs. Ford's English Garden and Tea House grace the view. This garden contains a massive hand-wrought iron gate, an antique Mrs. Ford had admired during a garden tour of an old English manor home. Her husband  arranged  for its

View Clara Ford's "Blue Garden"

Henry Ford's legacy of wildlife conservation survives - the Henry Ford Estate today serves the community as a wildlife refuge and outdoor teaching facility for local schools and colleges. Ecological research is still done among the gazebos, Cascade, and pools of the Rose Garden ruins. Beginning as early as March, the morning air is often filled with a symphony of bird song, and  the meadow is still home to families of foxes, woodchucks, and other animals.