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The Morton Estate

Lockwood de Forest designed his last large garden in 1946- again for a wealthy Chicago couple, Mr. And Mrs. Sterling Morton. Their house was located near the Meeker estate, with the same general topography and similar vistas. On this project, de Forest apparently worked alone, expanding his use of subtle perspective techniques- this time to satisfy Mrs. Morton's desire to have a more impressive garden than the Meekers!

To simulate spaciousness around the reflecting pool, de Forest used two effective artifices: the pool was built narrower at the far end, and a row or trees planted alongside the pool was clipped shorter and shorter as it moved away from the house, all creating the illusion of greater distances.

Even the palms in front of the pool served to heighten the drama of the scene, keeping the viewer's gaze centered on the pool and the mountains beyond, effectively framing the magnificent view and drawing the viewer's eyes toward the distant scene.

In this last- and possibly his best- landscaping masterpiece, de Forest followed his long-held beliefs, using plants natural in form and more in harmony with their surroundings than close-clipped hedges ever were. Except for the pool, there is an obvious lack of garden architecture that further enhances the natural plantings and frames the mountain view. The effect was dramatic, confident and fully modern.

After de Forest died in 1949 at the age of 53, Elizabeth Kellam de Forest completed all existing professional commissions- with the help of de Forest's former student, Richard Brimer. She became fully licensed in the early 1950's, and continued to act as a garden consultant until her death in 1984.

The home is now occupied by Carol and David Geyer, who moved in three years ago. Carol Geyer- the artist whose paintings appear on our front cover and illustrate this story- feels that her work has gained inspiration from the home and gardens. She has already shown "Flowers from the de Forest Gardens" in a Lost Angeles gallery and plans to concentrate on an intimate study of the gardens.

Especially delighted by the long-dormant plants and bulbs brought out by recent heavy rains, Carol exclaims, "There are surprises all the time- I can't believe the profusion of life here. How grateful I feel toward those talented people. I'm honored to be living in their home!"

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