French Garden at Duke Farms

Roof is specially formed perspex (lucite) - Doris was friends with the Oates, so maybe the material from airplanes.

You could just photograph the pillars and everyone would instantly know this garden

Marigold

The greenhouse is such a beautiful structure!

Fleur-de-lis motif to symbolize France

Vanity gazes endessly into her mirror...
... but now, the end is in sight

Amaryllis

A Better View: B l a c k M a g i c

A view of the Gardens today

You can view the entire Flickr Collection in the Save Duke Gardens group (Flickr Hive Mind)

Note: these eleven gardens are now lost, as far as it is possible to know. The trustees have permanently closed Duke Gardens. Saying "renovated gardens will reopen" was deliberately misleading and sloppy language that concealed the truth. Some sort of garden will be at Duke Farms. Doris Duke's indoor display gardens will not.

The glorious indoor display gardens of Doris Duke's Estate in NJ will be destroyed unless the Trustees are persuaded to reconsider before May 25th, 2008: see the Flickr group Save Duke Gardens. Please use the Save Duke Gardens web site to easily email your newspaper and the Trustees if you wish these gardens to remain intact.

These gardens are a labor of love and a work of art. Doris Duke spent years creating them, and would sometimes spend 16 hours a day working in them. They are being dismembered only 15 years after Doris Duke's death, on the 50th anniversary of their creation, by the Estate's trustees, who do not feel the gardens fit in with a modern Green vision.

Really.

The Trustees tell us the Gardens will re-open in a couple years. But what this really means is that a different orchid conservatory will reopen. Not this elaborate set of interconnected Display Gardens. They will be lost.

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Comments

Mr. Hmmm says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Non-Stop Photo, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

theskepticaloptimist says:

These pictures make me so sad. This is an amazing place, and it seems terrible that they are going to close it down.
Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

nosha says:

Write a letter or two! I'm still trying to find friends of Anthony Fauci (immunologist, and a Trustee). I'm wondering if my old Seattle colleagues Sandro Aruffo, Jeff Ledbetter, or Peter Linsley know him.
Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

Tattooed JJ says:

Such a beautiful place that you have captured so well
It is sad there planning on closing it
Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

Leaca's Philosophy says:

Wow! That is so sad they want to tear that down. It is beautiful!

--
Discovered using FlickrFox. (?)
Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

theskepticaloptimist says:

Please add this beautiful photo to CITRIT,Best of yours!
Citrit group

Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

silke bansbach says:

I give you a FROM CITRIT,BEST OF YOURS
Citrit, best of yours!
Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

Yaci Andrade says:

Beautiful!
This photo really is among the best! I give you a CITRIT ART award!
Citrit group

Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

~ foqiazafar ~ (ON / OFF) says:

This photo deserves a big HEART,
please post this beautiful picture at
Heart Awards Group .
Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

alessandro manfredi says:

Your Photo Wins a Heart
From Heart Awards Group
Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

Inconsciente says:

Your Photo Wins a Heart
From Heart Awards Group
Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

nosha says:

Thanks, everyone! It will be very sad when these photos are the only record we will have of the gardens.
Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

AnnuskA - AnnA Theodora says:

hmmmmm this looks so beautiful... close to perfection in my opinion...

I wonder why in the world would they want to change it all... did they give a reason?
Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

Atomic Citrocity says:

great shot, the colors are wonderful
Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

nosha says:

AnnuskA: It sounds like the Trustees decided that Doris Duke, despite creating and working personally on the Gardens project for many years, would now, 15 years later, decide it wasn't really 'green' enough, and want it dismantled. It's so weird. Someone else in the Save Duke Gardens Group described it as "painting over a Rembrandt".

There are some good aspects to the Trustees' plans: opening more of the grounds to visitors, increased environmental focus, etc. But that can't possibly justify dismantling the living incarnation of Doris Dukes' vision.
Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

Hellsgeriatric says:

It would be tragic to lose such a wonderful amenity!
Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

tahphelan says:

Lovely garden!

I saw this great photo in: The Photo of The Week group.
Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

hazer2006 says:

Super duper shot !!!
Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

florabritannica says:

This particular garden has captured so many people's imaginations, there are pictures of it in the Library of Congress (amazing what Google will find). Doris Duke said she worked (personally, physically) like a stevedore in the creation of these gardens. How terrible to have the product of such passion destroyed so soon after her personal protection passed and it was entrusted to trustees.
Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

Ross-mac says:

Doris Duke's passion – no one who visits these gardens can fail to respond to it ... except, it seems, her own trustees!
Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

listentoreason says:

I like how each room is a little story!
Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

richard.frithmacdonald says:

Very bright!
Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

femme_makita says:

I thought there was an ordinary roof above the trellis, but I checked last weekend and it's bent perspex, like a plane cockpit. Apparently it creaks and groans amazingly in storms, but has survived 50 years!
Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

doodoopuppy says:

I've visited Duke Gardens dozens of times.It never gets old! I took an Aunt from the UK and after visiting NY and Philadelphia and all the other "major" attractions, her favorite outing was Duke Gardens. She still talks about it.
Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

justmecpb says:

It would be sad to lose such a beautiful place.
Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

femme_makita says:

Everyone loves the french gardens. A docent told me there are always 'oohs' and 'Ahhs!' as people come in from the orchid house, funny that they are more striking!
Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

Christie13 says:

I can almost smell the gardens from up here in cold, snowy Alaska! I'm sure they are wonderful in New Jersey winters, too.
Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

Kate Alsop says:

It would be an absolute crime if these stunning gardens were to be dismantled - what are the trustees thinking of?
Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

AnnuskA - AnnA Theodora says:

Hi Nathan!
no, that's not a jacarandá...
the leaves are different ;) and the flowers, def. different too, but I forgot the name of that tree, I'll be in debt with you this time ;P
Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

femme_makita says:

Please consider to add your beautiful photo to

My Favorite Garden (Invited Images Only)
Please tag your photo FavoriteGarden
comment per post required!
Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

...point&click ♡♥ says:

A sad commentary on those who reside in power and make decisions based on money or self-image!
Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

ciufffo says:

wwwwwooooooowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww
Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

Hetty 51 says:

such a beautiful place....!

I saw this in My Favorite Garden (Invited Images Only)
Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

femme_makita says:

And in some ways this is the DULLEST Garden of the eleven that Doris Duke created, soon to be destroyed! But it appeals to us...
Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

pesotum74 says:

Very lovely.

I saw this in My Favorite Garden (Invited Images Only)
Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

©Klaus Franck says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Art International, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

©Klaus Franck says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Circle of Arts, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

©Klaus Franck says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Your Preferred Picture, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

tofu_minx says:

such a beautiful place... why on earth would anyone want to destroy it??
Posted 19 months ago. ( permalink )

Lorena Mocelin says:

Ulalah! Fantastic!
Posted 17 months ago. ( permalink )

EmyyDaniel says:

Hola, soy el administrador de un grupo llamado FOTO EXPRESIVA ( Postea 3 y premia 2 fotos) y nos encantaría agregar esto al grupo.

Tu foto es impresionante y expresiva
We admire your image in Foto Expresiva
.
Posted 17 months ago. ( permalink )

FedeGMorales says:

Tu foto es impresionante y expresiva
We admire your image in Foto Expresiva
.
Posted 17 months ago. ( permalink )

rkymtnhigrl says:

So beautiful
Posted 17 months ago. ( permalink )

Elisa1963 ♥ nature art peace says:

Hallo, ich bin der Administrator der Gruppe KunstPlatzl-International ~ post 5/week ~ post 1 ~ comment 1, und wir würden uns freuen, wenn Du dies zu unserer Gruppe hinzufügen würdest.

You are invited to display your image at:

"KunstPlatzl-International"

post 5/week ~ post 1 ~ comment 1
Please tag your pic with "KunstPlatzl-International"
Posted 16 months ago. ( permalink )

Vallø says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Flowers & Plants, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
Posted 16 months ago. ( permalink )

jacqui 006 (Out all day) back later says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called The Flower Basket - Red flower - contest - open for posting, and we'd love to have this added to the group!

This excellent image was viewed in:

"KunstPlatzl-International"

post 5/week ~ post 1 ~ comment 1
Please tag your pic with "KunstPlatzl-International"
Posted 16 months ago. ( permalink )

italiaan1 says:

Amazing shot. Take open this garden please, this is so beautiful.

Seen in:

The Flower Basket Group!
Posted 16 months ago. ( permalink )

jehjeh2 says:

Please tell us what happened with these beautiful gardens. I am all for going green too--but not at the expense of such exquisite beauty. What the hell is wrong with some people?
Posted 16 months ago. ( permalink )

xlcus says:

Currently the most interesting photo of 2008 on Past Picture
Posted 16 months ago. ( permalink )

nosha says:

- thanks for the tip. I hope the trustees live in infamy.
Posted 16 months ago. ( permalink )

Morgan Rochele says:

so beautiful.
Posted 16 months ago. ( permalink )

BornJavanese says:

Fantastic garden! Love it.
This photo really is among the best! I give you a CITRIT ART award!
Citrit group

Posted 15 months ago. ( permalink )

Kyle Averack Photography says:

I guess it is probably a good thing that I cannot tell if that is an HDR photograph or not. At any rate, nice picture!
Posted 15 months ago. ( permalink )

nosha says:

No hdr here ;) And thanks!
Posted 15 months ago. ( permalink )

~boring~ says:

I had no idea something as beautiful existed, i cannot understand why would anyone want to change this at all.
I'll go to that website and do my share, i really hope to be there someday and take my own pictures...
Isn't there any petiton or something else to do though?
Very nice shot by the way... i'll fave this. Is so unbelievably perfect... :D
Posted 15 months ago. ( permalink )

pwiwε says:

Lovely wide angle.
Posted 15 months ago. ( permalink )

pink_mariposa says:

this is beautiful
i love all the colors
Posted 15 months ago. ( permalink )

Wonderlane says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Engineering is Art, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

MethoxyRoxy says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called I ♥ Gardens, and we'd love to have this added to the group!

I'm sorry to here these gardens will not be taken care of anymore.
I hope you'd like to add this photo to our group though, it really is a beauty.
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

Rohit Patwardhan says:

nice shot !
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

Cazador de sueños. [deleted] says:

Fantástica iluminación y muy buena definición.
Un saludo.
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

komarovart says:

So beautiful picture. I have never seen so beauty. And your photos are full of vitality.

Vitali Komarov, artist
www.komarovart.com
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

Willscrlt says:

You did not include a year in your description. Is it too late to save this? Any update on how things are progressing?

Colors · لألوان · 颜色 · 颜色 · Barvy · Couleurs · Farben · Χρώματα · צבעים · रंग · Colori · 色 · 색상 · Cores · Цвета · Colores · Màu

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Colors of the World: Life Is Color!.

This photo uses color in an exciting and beautiful way. If it is an original image that you created, and not something you found on the Internet, then I would love for you to share it with the whole group! You also are invited to join the group and submit additional original images that are equally colorful and fascinating. Thank you!
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

nosha says:

I'm sorry to say the closing was this year, 2008. I'll add the year in the description. My sleep was unsettled for some reason last night, I think I dreamt this room was now a little cafe.
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

Eddi 07(OFF) says:

Hallo, ich bin der Administrator der Gruppe Creative Commons- Free Pictures, und wir würden uns freuen, wenn Du dies zu unserer Gruppe hinzufügen würdest.
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

Willscrlt says:

Thanks for the response. Sad, though. :-( I'm sure that's not what Doris Duke would have wanted her estate's trustees to do. Jerks.
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

Faddoush says:

Beautiful garden...and shot!
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

ca2008_Araya UDRU says:

Wow, it is the excellent garden.
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

Leilani D says:

This is such a beautiful photo!!! :D I love it. I'm favouriting this one.
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

stephanie.lewis16 says:

this is the best one i seen so far
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

galangre says:

Hello, I am part of a garden exhibit committee for a new installation this semester at Michigan State University and was wondering if I could use your photo as part of a panel on gardens as art. I saw your copyright regulations on the side of the page and saw that it allows for copy, distribution, and transmision of the work if properly attributed. Does this cover public viewing?
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

Cher12861 says:

So beautiful!
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

nosha says:

galangre Hi Galangre. Please feel free - the Creative Commons license covers and allows public viewing. It would be great if you could mention the story behind the photo too, as the garden has been closed and it was a great loss for New Jersey.
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

galangre says:

I would be glad to mention the story. Thank you.
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

The Visions of Kai | New York City says:

1 week later...

Check this out Nathan!

flickr.com/photos/tags/mirror/interesting/
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

nosha says:

thanks, Kai. This is by and far the most "interesting" picture I have on flickr - it has attracted a lot of attention and also was advertising a popular cause last year... it's even remains in the top 10 of photos tagged with 'beauty' by interestingness. Funny Old World.
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

fredpanassac says:

What a remarquable picture and interesting story, and what a pity it is that this wonderful gardens had to be closed...
Could such a beautiful example of french garden in the U.S.A. still be saved?

Invited to Post Your Wonderful Photo to:

flowers,Flowers,flowers
Please Invite Others to Our Group
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

beachglassfan says:

Beautiful photo

Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

ShiyamG says:

This place looks magical! i'm sad to hear that it may not exist anymore :(

And also...that is an awesome rose graphic above me. good job :D
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

PhotographyMagic [deleted] says:

love the colors!!
Posted 10 months ago. ( permalink )

jennifercupp says:

sorry about this... when you are reading this dont stop or something bad will happen! My name is summer i am 15 years old i have blonde hair,many scars no nose or ears..i am dead. if you dont copy this just like from the ring, on 5 more sites.. or..i will appear one dark quiet night when your not expecting it by your bed with a knife and kill you. this is no joke something good will happen to you if uoi post this on 5 more pages
Posted 10 months ago. ( permalink )

migsolo says:

wow! great colors!
Posted 10 months ago. ( permalink )

louise.helen says:

wow, that looks beautiful and worth a visit!
Posted 9 months ago. ( permalink )

nonesa21 says:

my secret garden...:)
Posted 9 months ago. ( permalink )

melcir.meri says:

Spectacular! ~ Teach HOW to care for Nature ... HELP heal our home !!
Our AWARD - INVITE ~ Please give on ~ 2 AWARDS+ FAVES +comments
* APPRECIATION AWARD *

Join in! ***Volunteers in Earthcare ACTIONS! ~ FIRST-THE EARTH Photo-ART
Members are Earthcare Volunteers. Please copy/ add tag, “firsttheearth”.
Invite INTERPRETIVE, CARING images. SEARCH / AWARD 2 PICS IN POOL.
~
You Are Invited To Add This Image To:

Dragon Gold Award
~

~
GS Award
This photo deserves a Golden Star!
Please add this photo to Golden Stars (100+ Faves and Invite Only)
Posted 9 months ago. ( permalink )

{Claire-uh}Clara says:

Excellent!
Posted 8 months ago. ( permalink )

Hersi-M says:

instant fav
Posted 8 months ago. ( permalink )

Rajendra Dhakal says:

very nice scene
Posted 8 months ago. ( permalink )

BestofNJ.com says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Best of New Jersey, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
Posted 8 months ago. ( permalink )

violasinbloom says:

This is a beautiful picture. It is sad that it no longer exists.
Posted 6 months ago. ( permalink )

griffithjune49 says:

You are invited to post this Little Slice of Heaven's Garden to....
A Little Piece of Paradise.....Your Secret Garden!!
A new topic in Heaven *Times Ticking*... Come & see!!
In Thread ONLY...Please! Not for the Main Pool!
www.flickr.com/groups/insideheaven/discuss/72 157614411664...
Posted 5 months ago. ( permalink )

khoa_daniel says:

cool
Posted 5 months ago. ( permalink )

zara.. says:

Cooooooooooooooooooool
Posted 5 months ago. ( permalink )

Mike G. K. says:

very beautiful shot, amazing lighting, colors and detail
Posted 5 months ago. ( permalink )

PAL1970 says:

WOW! An outstanding image my, friend. Congratulations on a job well done!

;=)
Posted 4 months ago. ( permalink )

Oryx~Gazella says:

It's beautiful.
Posted 4 months ago. ( permalink )

Beonbeing (busy-studying) says:

Wonderful!!!
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Art International, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

degrassifan says:

Beautiful. You've captured this well.
Posted 2 months ago. ( permalink )

rafaelotero2001 says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Beautiful photos, "Concurso HDR/Contest of HDR", and we'd love to have this added to the group!
Posted 2 months ago. ( permalink )

vaquey says:

gorgeous!
Posted 5 weeks ago. ( permalink )

ruding2 says:

Hi, the picture is exquisite. I am looking for roof garden photos for a friend of mine to publish a book of horticulture in China, it is for educational and archive purpose. Can I use this picture? We will put down your name with the photo. Please contact me If you have more of the roof garden pics.

my email: ruding2@yahoo.com

Thanks very much!
Posted 4 weeks ago. ( permalink )

Down to Earth - Out of this World says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called THE WINDOW FRAME, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
Posted 4 weeks ago. ( permalink )

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Additional Information

Some rights reserved Anyone can see this photo

Taken in Somerville, New Jersey (map)
Taken with a Nikon D300.
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Taken on April 20, 2008
Viewed 39,353 times
Replaced on April 22, 2008

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