The English Garden

The first garden at The Cummer residence was planted in 1903 and followed an English-style garden plan. Wisteria, 'Rêve d'Or' roses, and Lily of the Nile abounded in this garden. Its aspect changed dramatically around 1925. Mrs. Cummer had heard a lecture by noted botanist Dr. H. Harold Hume about the beauty of the azalea, a flower not yet known in Florida horticultural circles. Intrigued by Dr. Hume's descriptions, Mrs. Cummer traveled to Charleston Gardens to see the azaleas in bloom. Delighted with this discovery, she returned to plant hundreds of these new flowers, which have since transformed Florida's gardens and parks. At the heart of the symmetrically arranged English or Azalea Garden is a small fountain, one of many delightful garden sculptural elements in The Cummer collection.