Five Finds | 4.29.25

Garden accents inspired by my trip to Bunny Mellon's garden, plus a debrief on this spectacular place of beauty

I just got back from a profoundly inspiring trip to see Bunny Mellon’s famous property Oak Spring in Virginia horse country. My mom and I had both wanted to go for some time, and when I had the opportunity to buy tickets (and it just so happened to be my mom’s birthday weekend), I jumped at the chance. The garden is only open to the public a couple of times a year. So, I feel tremendously lucky I got to see it in person and share the experience with my mom, who is a true gardener just like Bunny.

The biggest impression that will always stay with me is how natural her gardens looked and felt. I know this might sound obvious because it’s a garden, but here’s what I mean: although the garden has a formal, symmetrical design, the actual plantings and the supporting elements embrace a naturalistic, informal style.

For instance, instead of rigid hedges, Bunny planted espalier trees to serve as borders for some beds. The obelisks used as a trellises for climbing plants are made out wood bran…