Charles Platt Garden

Cornish, New Hampshire

Artist and architect Charles Platt was one of the first Americans to study the Italian garden and apply its lessons to this country. He created places where the house and garden were fully integrated with their location. For his own garden he set the house behind ancient apple trees and sculpted the hillside to frame a dramatic view down the Connecticut River valley. He laid out a series of formal terraces planted with hardy shrubs and perennials. It is now in the third generation of Platt family stewardship. I have worked with members of the family to re-establish some of the garden’s structure and restore its colorful lushness.