A Visit to Craig’s Garden – the Perfect Setting for a Unique Early Modern Home

Craig is honored to have been included in Nicole Juday and Rob Cardillo’s recent book Private Gardens of Philadelphia. A fan of early modern “glass box” architecture, Craig found this early modern 1949 home designed by architect Arthur White that offers the opportunity to feel as if living within the garden from every room. The lot had been stripped bare to the corners by the previous owner, with no perennials to be found. First efforts on the property were scrub tree removal followed by extensive planting of trees and shrubs to screen the surrounding homes in time.

Over the past 9 years, multiple garden rooms have been created, further extending the indoor-outdoor connection of the home. After terracing the sloping yard, Craig designed a reflecting pool garden off the living room, whose south-facing windows allow the reflected light to dance across the living room ceiling. The 130-foot sunny garden on the high side of the lot is a combination of woody screening plants mixed with a long perennial border. A small entry area garden, designed to be viewed from the dining room, has a sunny side, full shade side, and a succulent island in the middle.

The new dry gravel garden, fragrant shade garden walk, and woodland gardens kept Craig busy during Covid. Each of the garden areas has been designed around a piece of sculpture, including an over twenty-foot-high kinetic sculpture by Jeffrey Kahn, mid-century pieces, and site-specific works designed by the owners. Except for the planting of the large trees, Craig designs, plants, and maintains the property.

Craig is on Instagram as: @cwgardendesignphiladelphia and @ModernHomesPhiladelphia. He was also featured on: https://awaytogarden.com/lessons-from-philadelphia-gardens-with-nicole-juday-and-rob-cardillo/ .

Members, and non-members who are guests of members, are welcome. This event is free, but registration is required. You must register for either 10:00 AM-12:00 Noon or 2:00-4:00 PM.

Click here to register. Registration closes July 22. Rain date is Friday, July 26. Click here if you would like to become a member of HPS/MAG before registering for this event.

Address and parking directions will be sent to all registrants in their confirmation email.

Contact: Laura Axel at [email protected]