Arbor Terrace

Except for a recent installation, the Arbor Terrace remains true to the 1955 rennovation. The arbor, terrace furniture, garden gate, and stucco panels have not required reconstruction beyond regular repairs and refurbishing. Until May 2012 the terrace has hosted numerous potted plants during fall, spring and summer, including oleaders and collections of annuals.

In her 1968 book Dumbarton Oaks: A Guide to the Gardens Georgina Masson writes that the terrace: 

"is enclosed on two side by pleached pear trees. In this sheltered spot, lemon trees, loquats, oleanders, and masses of white azaleas are ranged in pots and caissons, making a perfect foil for the subdued gray tones of the weathered stone setting. There could be few pleasanter places in which to rest and enjoy the view then the little balcony that juts out from the far side of the terrace. In the immediate foreground, we see some gnarled old apple trees- survivors of the original orchard- growing on a grassy slope among a younger generation of crab apples. Further down, the hill is traversed by tall yew hedges…."

This spring and summer the pots have gone on a brief hiatas from their sunny home to make space for the Cloud Terrace, a contemporary art installation by Cao-Perrot Studio of Los Angeles and Paris. The pots are scheduled to return for the 2013 season. Read more about the Cao-Perot installation on the following page.