Stoneleigh: A Natural Garden—Spring 2024

By FCGN member Jeff Schuetz

Stoneleigh was the first of six gardens my wife Nita Beck and I visited during our trip to Philadelphia in the spring of 2024. (42 acres; free admission; natlands.org/visit/stoneleigh/)

Stoneleigh was originally a private estate built in 1877. More recent owners had a strong interest in the landscape, planting many trees unusual for the time. In 2016, the Haas family home was bequeathed to Natural Lands, which “cares for a network of 40+ nature preserves in the Philadelphia area.” Filled with gorgeous mature specimens, Stoneleigh opened to the public in 2018 with a new emphasis on native plantings. We found it charming, friendly, and naturalistic. Some dead trees have been left standing, both for their sculptural qualities and to benefit biodiversity, indicative of the gardeners’ thoughtful approach.

We lucked out, unknowingly arriving on the one day of their annual native plant sale. (Of course, I had to support the cause.) Stoneleigh has an unusual support group of only a handful of paid staff but a platoon of over 100 volunteers. Everyone was friendly and informative, and the spirit of the place is great. Highly recommend a visit. And you can’t beat the price!

Photos © 2024 Jeff Schuetz

A group of five people, including children, are standing in front of an outdoor information kiosk at a park or nature reserve. The kiosk is made of stone and has large windows, surrounded by lush green trees and plants.

A group of five people, including children, are standing in front of an outdoor information kiosk at a park or nature reserve. The kiosk is made of stone and has large windows, surrounded by lush green trees and plants.

A large, historic-style stone mansion with multiple steep roofs and chimneys, surrounded by lush green grass, bushes, and flowering plants, with a prominent leafless, gnarled tree in the front yard, under a clear blue sky.

A large, historic-style stone mansion with multiple steep roofs and chimneys, surrounded by lush green grass, bushes, and flowering plants, with a prominent leafless, gnarled tree in the front yard, under a clear blue sky.

A rectangular pond surrounded by a stone wall and white trim, with aquatic plants and lily pads, in a lush garden with trees and shrubs, and people in the background enjoying the sunny day.

A rectangular pond surrounded by a stone wall and white trim, with aquatic plants and lily pads, in a lush garden with trees and shrubs, and people in the background enjoying the sunny day.

A narrow gravel pathway flanked by stone walls with overhanging green foliage, sunlight casting shadow patterns on the ground, and a wooden bench at the end of the path.

A narrow gravel pathway flanked by stone walls with overhanging green foliage, sunlight casting shadow patterns on the ground, and a wooden bench at the end of the path.

Multiple twisting and bending trees with textured bark and green leaves in a forest, with a concrete pathway in the background.

Multiple twisting and bending trees with textured bark and green leaves in a forest, with a concrete pathway in the background.

A large tree with mossy roots extending above ground in a park with green grass and shrubbery.

A large tree with mossy roots extending above ground in a park with green grass and shrubbery.

A sunlit garden pathway surrounded by lush green trees and plants, with a lamp post along the path.

A sunlit garden pathway surrounded by lush green trees and plants, with a lamp post along the path.

Cornus Florida 'Red Pygmy'

Cornus Florida 'Red Pygmy'

Purple and white flowers blooming among green leaves.

Purple and white flowers blooming among green leaves.

View through a white lattice archway overlooking a lush garden with a small green tree surrounded by ground cover plants and trees in the background.

View through a white lattice archway overlooking a lush garden with a small green tree surrounded by ground cover plants and trees in the background.

A dead tree with multiple branches extends horizontally in a grassy area near a street, with tall trees and a blue sky in the background.

A dead tree with multiple branches extends horizontally in a grassy area near a street, with tall trees and a blue sky in the background.

Wooden bench designed to look like an anteater with a long snout, positioned on a sidewalk next to grass and yellow flowers.

Wooden bench designed to look like an anteater with a long snout, positioned on a sidewalk next to grass and yellow flowers.

Large tree with green leaves and sprawling branches in front of a house, sunny day, with a garden and pathway beneath.

Large tree with green leaves and sprawling branches in front of a house, sunny day, with a garden and pathway beneath.

Pinus strobus 'Vercurve'

Pinus strobus 'Vercurve'

Weeping Katsura

Weeping Katsura

A man wears a wide-brimmed hat and glasses, standing outdoors in a garden or nursery area surrounded by potted plants. He is holding a small container with a plant, and in his other hand, he holds a smartphone. He is dressed in a black jacket, beige

A man wears a wide-brimmed hat and glasses, standing outdoors in a garden or nursery area surrounded by potted plants. He is holding a small container with a plant, and in his other hand, he holds a smartphone. He is dressed in a black jacket, beige pants, comic plants, and trees in the background.