Discovering Monmouth County Parks ••• Deep Cut Gardens

One of a continuing series in conjunction with Deep Cut Gardens horticultural with the Monmouth County Park System. park is dedicated to the home gardener. The 54

acres of gardens are a living

catalog of native and cultivated plant species. Take a walking tour of the park, ask the staff horticultural questions, or visit the reference library. Garden programs and classes are available.

Park features include:

Gardener’s cottage — This cottage was built in the early 1900s and later renovated by Vito Genovese.

Lily pond — Made beautiful with water lilies and bog plants, this pool is home to koi and goldfish.

Horticultural center — Former home of the Wihtols (1952-1977) houses a library, program rooms, restrooms and offices.

Rockery — A group of Sargent’s weeping hemlocks forms an umbrella over three cascading pools.

Meadow walk — A woodland meadow growing under natural conditions.

Natural pond — This stream-fed pond abounds with wildlife.

Pergola — This open-roof, arbor-like structure is covered with flowering vines.

Parterre — Meant to be viewed from a distance, this recessed, stone-walled garden features a combination of roses and perennials/annuals planted in a pattern.

Shade garden — Spruce and tulip poplars form a canopy

Japanese-themed garden — Texture, color and structural elements all come together in this small, serene garden.

Display greenhouse — Colorful orchids, succulents and houseplants thrive here throughout the seasons. Peak orchid flowering season is January - March.

Bonsai display — The collection features miniaturized trees and shrubs; a few are more than 100 years old.

Display garden — Vegetables, flowers and herbs are cultivated in raised beds; the site includes a children’s garden. Home composting demonstration facility Elvin MacDonald Horticultural Library — The library features more than 4,000 books and more than two dozen horticultural magazines and bulletins. Videos on how-to garden and gardens around the world and current catalogs are also available. Borrowing privileges are available through membership in Friends of the Parks at 732-975-9735. Library hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., call 732-671-6050 for Saturday hours.

Tours

Group tours are available throughout the year by prior arrangement; call 732- 671-6050 for information.

Photography and painting

If you wish to take wedding, prom, or family photos, a reservation is required; call 732-842-4000 for a permit. Painting and the use of easels are permitted with prior arrangement; call 732-671-6050.

History of Deep Cut Gardens

In 1935, Vito Genovese bought the property that is now Deep Cut Gardens as a retreat for his family from New York City. He developed the estate to be reminiscent of his Italian homeland; the peanut stone walls, cascading pools, pergola and parterre were all added under his tenure. In1937 Genovese left the country and shortly after, the house burned to the ground. The most recent owners Marjorie and Karl Wihtol, bought the property in 1952 and built home that is now the Horticultural Center.

In 1977, Mrs. Wihtol bequeathed 20 acres of property to the park system, which purchased another 20 acres with Green Acres funding. Deep Cut was opened to the public in 1978, and another 14 acres was added in 1990.

Park hours:

The park is open 8 a.m. to dusk, yearround. Admission and parking are free.
For more information:
For more information, call 732-842-4000,
ext. 4256 (TTY-TDD 711), or visit www.monmouthcountyparks.
com.