Greystone, the estate of Mr. Samuel Untermyer at Yonkers, New York, includes about 120 acres of gardens of various types, none more impressively beautiful than those shown on here, in which has been reproduced "the glory that was Greece"
In these photos are seen a few of the architectural details imported during the quarter century that it took to create these gardens, as inspiration followed another and as exquisite plant specimens were carefully collected to provide a harmonizing background.
Occupying two different levels, the Greek gardens are shielded from the adjacent thoroughfare by a belt of massive trees and a tall brick wall. The upper area, some three and a half acres in extent, includes a series of formal canals and lily pools, a mosaic-paved temple, fountains, statues, sheared Japanese and dwarf junipers, weeping willows, stretches of velvety turf, borders of brilliant annuals, and interesting exotic plants in tubs and jars. The classic swimming pool with its marble steps and pillared margin, is the dominant feature of the lower level.
ABOVE, another glimpse of the terminus of the upper Greek garden and its terraced approach. BELOW, the vista down the steep wooded path to ward a statue of Diana and, beyond, the Hudson. From the stages of this path are reached a series of half-acre enclosed gardens, each planted to give an all-season effect in a single color. Beyond them, are two rose gardens, a rock garden, vegetable and fruit gardens, and, above all, an eminence built of mighty boulders and surmounted by another small Greek temple.
A Visit to the Untermyer Gardens by Barbara Israel