Garden Glories in Prince George

BY KATHERINE CALOS - Staff Writer
Published: July 23, 2008

James River plantations north of the river are the ones that most often come to mind when thinking about Virginia’s early aristocrats. If you want proof that land was just as valuable south of the river, look at Brandon Plantation in Prince George County.

“One of America’s most admired works of Colonial architecture” is how the house is described on a James River Plantation itinerary developed by the National Park Service in conjunction with the National Register of Historic Places.

Completed about 1765, Brandon was modeled after English interpretations of Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio. Its seven-part design is based on an architectural book published in 1757 by Robert Morris, whose other devotees included Thomas Jefferson.

Only Gardens are Open

The house is rarely open because it’s home to the family of Robert W. Daniel Jr., whose father bought the property in 1926. Its gardens, though, are open daily, and they’re just as grand in their own way. Formal gardens fill 30 acres between the house and the banks of the James River. A tree-shaded park also fronts the house on the land side.

“The idea is to draw you to the river,” said Linda Daniel, chief gardener and wife of the former congressman.

The greenery took a big blow in 2003 when Hurricane Isabel tore through the property, knocking down 300-year-old trees. With the shady canopy gone, shade-loving plants beneath them suffered.

The riverbank also eroded. A decorative urn, now returned to the central allée, was washed into the river. What had been a sharp drop-off at water’s edge became a gradual slope.

Ever since, Daniel has been working to restore the garden. It won’t be the same, however, because eight ancient pecan trees can’t be replaced right away. It’ll have to be good in a sunnier way.

To draw the eye upward in one area, Daniel improvised by planting wisteria to climb metal poles topped by halos.

Expert Advice Helped

The garden has benefited over the years from some of the big names in landscape architecture. Charles Gillette, who designed some of Richmond’s classic gardens in the 1930s, created the green garden near the river. Will Rieley, landscape architect for the Garden Club of Virginia, helped draw up a plan for re-planting the riverfront after the hurricane damage.

A few oak and horse chestnut trees have gone in; others will follow when help is available to make sure they’re watered during the first year, Daniel said. Throughout the garden, red flags mark the locations of new plants to alert the gardeners where water is needed.

Splashes of summer color come from hydrangeas, daylilies, phlox, hollyhock and roses, all native plants that can tolerate drought.

Annabelle hydrangeas, for instance, produce big snowballs of blossoms. “They’re good for the summer,” she said. “Even if they struggle, they grow back when it rains.”       

Shrub roses such as The Gift and Starry Night produce clusters of white flowers. Sweetbriar, with its touch of pink, “I think is my favorite,” she said, “if you can have a favorite.”

Still a Working Farm

Brandon Plantation was named by John Martin, who accompanied Capt. John Smith to America in 1607. In 1616, he was granted 5,000 acres, which he called Martin’s Brandon.

About 4,500 acres remain with the house, and about 1,600 acres are still farmed.

For lasting value, that’s pretty good.

IF YOU GO

Getting there: Brandon Plantation is about 40 miles from Richmond. Go east on state Route 5 to state Route 106 south across the Benjamin Harrison Bridge. Go east on state Route 10 for about 10 miles and bear to the left on Morning Star Road to reach Brandon Road. The house is about 5 miles away at the end of the road.

Cost: $10 for an unguided tour

Details: (757) 866-8486

James River Plantation itinerary: www.nps.gov/history/nr/travel/jamesriver/bra.htm