Planter revisits Magnolia Allee

The Friends of Goodstay Gardens welcomed a special visitor this spring. Ninety-five-year-old Earl Moore helped his father plant the Magnolia Allee at Goodstay and trees along Greenhill Avenue in 1938 and shared his memories with the group.

Goodstay was a wedding gift to Ellen du Pont from her father, T. Coleman du Pont, in 1923 when she married landscape artist Robert Wheelwright. She left the home to the University in 1968.

The Magnolia Allee, which ends in a circular reflecting pool, a special project of Mrs. Wheelwright, was her last major addition to Goodstay Gardens. Moore reminisced about working with Mrs. Wheelwright and met her daughter, Pauline Burford, during his return visit.

Magnolia Allee, which now is connected to Arsht Hall by walkways, a lawn and plantings, has given many people pleasure over the years, but after more than 60 years, in spite of all efforts, some trees have died and all are approaching the end of their life span.

A decision was made reluctantly by the Goodstay Gardens Horticultural Advisory Committee to replace all the trees and boxwood to insure that this area of the garden will be preserved for generations to come. The soil and drainage will be improved as well.

The committee considered several different varieties and selected 38 big pink or Alexandria magnolias, which bear similar blossoms to the original trees, but bloom somewhat later. The project will begin this summer, and the new trees will be planted next spring.