The planting style and flower selection visible in the garden today were largely
the work of the O'Reilly's eldest daughter, Kathleen. Within her father's parameters,
Kathleen planted native and exotic perennials, annuals, and bulbs in a very full
and informal style, with an effort to provide something of interest in the garden
year round. Her letters and journals indicate that she enjoyed flower arranging,
and that fresh flowers were an important feature inside the house.
Kathleen was responsible for the garden as her father grew older, and she maintained
it after his death in 1905. From 1902-1905, Kathleen kept garden journals providing
detailed descriptions of the flowers she planted and diagrams to describe their
arrangement. Although not complete, Kathleen's notebooks provide the best documentary
evidence about the garden and are invaluable in its restoration. When a gap
in information exists or a flower has become unavailable, "supplementary plants"
are cultivated which were found in comparable gardens of the period. As research
continues, these will be replaced where possible with documented plantings.
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