This Catskills Garden Captures the Beauty of Autumn & Beyond

Text by Bethany Adams

The grounds at Wildmuir date back to the 1890s, but it wasn’t until the 1920s that the garden was first conceived. At the same time the house was renovated into the Arts & Craft style it now boasts, famed landscape architect Harold Caparn was brought on—and it was his work that would eventually lead to the current homeowner falling in love with the property.

“After renting for a few months, we decided to buy Wildmuir mainly because of its gardens,” says the homeowner, whose dedication restored the dilapidated remains of Caparn’s work while adding personal elements, such as collected sculptural art and a cottage for extended family. Since then, the garden has undergone several revisions, the latest of which included the touch of local landscape architect Jamie Purinton.

“I got involved in 2009,” says Jamie, whose expertise in native plants helped transform what was a high-maintenance English perennial garden into a space with all-year interest. Noting that they were lucky to inherit a compelling landscape structure—one that includes several terraced layers leading up into the hills as well as a captivating mountain view—she explains that a major goal was to blend the design into the surrounding landscape.

“We live in such a stunning area that to connect is more of a goal than to separate,” she says, noting her use of native plants is driven by both aesthetics and a desire to support local wildlife. “It’s fascinating to gain a greater appreciation of what we have around us.” In the wake of her expert touch, the line between the garden and the surrounding landscape is beautifully blurred.

Wandering from the more structured spaces into the woods beyond feels charmingly natural, and visitors can appreciate everything from a cooking garden to a carpet of native ferns along the way. While every season has its own charms, there’s an abundance of rich beauty to be appreciated in autumn, both in the garden and in the view beyond.

The homeowner’s list of favorite features is extensive—and it’s easy to understand why. From the courtyard garden that changes beautifully with the progressing light and the dining area that offers moonlit views of the pines to the cottage terrace looking out over the Catskills, every space has a unique experience to offer. As a collaborative effort spanning a century, the evolution of the gardens at Wildmuir has culminated in a true celebration of the surrounding land—and it’s likely to be the site of beautiful views for at least another hundred years.