Little Switzerland, N. C., July 1,1939
Jacob H. Lowrey, Editor
Those who are not able to walk through the garden may drive
in a distance of five hundred feet between beds of roses,
then circle the lily pool and return by the same drive to
the entrance.
Let us walk through, the entrance and on under the pergola
dripping with Paul's Scarlet and New Dawn, a distance of-about
one. hundred and fifty foot.' One visitor to
the garden: was 'seen walking. back and forth under this
mass of roses, treading on the mat of, petals which covered
the ground. "Just to see how it feels to walk on a bed of
roses", she said.
This pergola leads to a rose-fenced formal
garden, the paths of which are accented with tree roses,
possibly thirty in all. Loading from this main' axis at
the cantor bad are paths at right angles loading down steps,
paths and more steps to Nancy's Creek which flows in the
shape of a horse-shoe around three sides of this garden.
The garden is situated on a ridge bounded by the horse-shoe-shaped
creek. It follows the natural contour of the land with rose
beds on three levels as the garden is terraced down to the
creek on each side of the ridge.
Beyond the crook on the loft as we come in is the coolest
and most inviting woodland path anyone could dream of strolling,.
The first of the bridges over the creek, a charming rustic
affair, gay with hanging baskets and ferns, is at the left
of the entrance and directly above the old mill wheel which
furnishes the power to pump water throughout the garden.
The creek is bordered on both sides with Japanese irises
and lilies. As we approach the top of the horseshoe the
ground rises and directly at the top of c* horseshoe plan
we see Dr. Fischer's home about a hundred feet above the
garden in a beautiful setting of giant oaks and hickories.
At this point another bridge crosses the
creek to the stops (I hate to think how many there must
be) which load to the house by way of an azalea-covered
hillside.
It has never been my good fortune to see
this garden at azalea time, but I shall not let another
spring pass without seeing the azaleas and tulips in bloom. The
gorgeous colored -movies that Mrs. Fischer showed me are
all the invitation anyone could desire!
From
the front porch of the home one looks down over the entire
garden. It is from this vantage point that the garden was
planned. Looking down upon the sea of roses (ten acres of
them make a gorgeous display of color at all times) one
notices in the foreground the hour glass-shaped
lily pool which contains fourteen varieties of lilies.
This pool is surrounded by a rock garden which is a
joy at all times with its vast number of plants that are
always colorful.
Continuing on our horseshoe journey from the point where
the bridge leads to the steps and home, we enter the rhododendron
trail, a breath-taking display of rare and lovely varieties
perfectly at home among the sweet shrubs and mountain laurel
along the bank of the creek.
As we approach the other tip of the shoo,
which is at the roadside at the right of the entrance, we
leave the evergreens and emerge into the rose garden proper
again.
This section of the garden receives more
shade and has for that reason boon used for testing some
of the roses which prefer protection from the burning rays
of the midsummer sun.
When I asked Dr. Fischer about the number of plants he
smiled and said that was hard to answer. There are more
than 10,000, possibly as many as 16,000.These are in 487
varieties.
In walking through the garden with Dr. and Mrs. Fischer
we stopped to look at a bed of Mrs. Pierre S. duPont. It
appeared to be suffering from a severe case of sun-stroke
and I made the remark that it always looked sad in hot weather. That
was the wrong thing to say (I'm warning future visitors),
because the lady is a pet of Dr. Fischer. He led the way;
to that north slope test garden and pointed out innumerable
beautiful blooms of the du Pont lady, making me swallow
my unjust criticism. Also outstanding in this north slope
test section of the garden are: Margaret McGrody, McGredy's
Yellow, McGredy's Ivory (he likes the whole family), Ami
Quinard and Director Rubio. Duchess of Penerando is probably
the best of all.
Among the newer pinks R.M.S.Queen Mary and Eternal Youth
are leaders. Pink Lady and Pink Pearl are also very
fine. The finest reds are, as usual, Crimson Glory,
Rome Glory and Etoile De Hollande. Rouge Mallerin is also
good.
The Poulsen family likewise is in this
garden. Else, especially, performs well. Cameo is a charming
polyantha, as is Permanent, Wave.
In spite of the heat,, frequent rains and hot sun, Miss
Rowena Thom, Comtesse Vandal, Caledonia, Ami Quinard and
many more present a beautiful picture to the mid-June visitor.
These roses don't just happen to grow and take care of
themselves. Rare indeed is the small garden that has as
good care as has this immense planting of roses.
Every week a crew of men, usually six, comb the garden. Diseased
foliage is picked off and burned. Faded flowers are cut,
the ground is cultivated and the entire garden sprayed with
Triogen. Coposil will be used now that hot weather is
here.
Tartar emetic has been used successfully in an effort to
control thrips; a very high pressure spray machine is used.
During dry weather the garden is watered thoroughly twice
a week. Mrs. Fischer insists that Dr. Fischer treats Nancy's
Creek hamefully, imposes upon it, since he uses the water
from it three times in its travels through his gardens and
fields before it finally gets away from him at the south
end of his estate.
Almost any afternoon Dr. Fischer may be found in his garden
working among his favorites. He tells a joke on himself
in connection with the fooling of the people toward his
garden. One day he picked a rose which had been partly eaten
and was badly balled. Almost immediately three indignant
ladies descended upon him and berated him for his vandalism. He
apologized profusely and sneaked off without disclosing
his identity but not before a crowd gathered and cast mean
glances at him. He thinks that is the only
rose that has ever been pulled in his garden, except those
he cuts at daybreak to take to the hospital or to. sick
friends.Dr. Fischer is a firm believer in feeding roses.
He places cow manure at the head of the list of rose needs,
and stresses the fact that roses cannot tolerate doses of
chemical fertilizers if the humus and bacteria of barnyard
manure are not supplied.
Lilly Pond
Quite in keeping with his belief that roses' should have
the best of care at all times, Dr. Fischer had Mr. Harry
L. Daunoy of Now Orleans, come to his garden and make soil
tests in various parts of it in order that the correct food
be given in each case.
About the middle of June the entire rose garden received
a mulch of pine needles to keep the ground cool and moist.
The ground was sprayed before this mulch was applied, and
then the mulch was sprayed to prevent any spread of insects
or disease.
One especially fine bed of Comtesse Vandal and Dainty Bess
is mulched with grass clippings.
A bed of Etoile do Hollande is ample proof that thorough
preparation of the original rose bed was well worth while.
This bed was made eight years ago when the garden was started.
It was dug six feet deep, down to water level.
This hole was filled in with brush, clay and manure and
the planting made during the winter.Those original bushes
have never been replaced. Many of the beds wore prepared
in this way.
Flower lovers in Atlanta are most appreciative of this
beautiful garden. Hundreds of people visit it every day
during the week, and thousands enjoy it on Sunday. Those
of us who have been caught in these Sunday traffic jams
know full well how deeply and universally this sight is
appreciated. When the word wont around that May 14 would
be the Sunday to see roses this year, Atlanta seemed to
turn out en-masse. Dr. Fischer couldn't get into his own
driveway for more than half an hour, and he said he sympathized
deeply with the people who were caught in the jam and could
neither turn around nor go
ahead. The road was completely blocked from Chamblee
to Flowerland, a distance of one mile, cars being parked
that entire distance. Traffic in the other direction was
not quite so completely tied up but it was far from free-moving.
Every Sunday in May special police are employed to aid
in directing traffic but each year more people hear. about
this famous garden and the roads leading to it become more
congested. A very conservative estimator placed the number
of cars in one of the famous all day traffic jams at 5,000,
though 7,500 is probably more nearly correct.
It is easy to understand why people turn toward Flowerland
in May. Even a small, garden, well kept and full of roses
in many varieties is a source of inspiration, but to be
able to study, practically all of the newer varieties in
such a perfectly cared-for garden in a setting worthy of
the-Queen of Flowers is indeed a rare treat. Garden Clubs
meet here in order to study roses, and to feast on the beauty
of nature.
Requests have already been received from Chattanooga and
Cleveland, Tennessee, for "just a post card notice a few
days in advance of the height of the season".
Atlanta and all Georgia are deeply grateful to Dr. Fischer
for this most inspiring gift. Who can resist the impulse
to plant and care for one or more rose bushes after feasting
on the beauties of Flowerland, where flowers grow in every
nook and cranny? The garden has been endowed so that it
will be a perpetual beauty spot, and it will always
be free to visitors
