Old Louisville Victorian mansion features ‘breathtaking’ backyard garden. Take a peek
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Leslie Tate wasn’t looking to become a gardener. But when her search for more space led her to a Victorian mansion with a blooming backyard, she welcomed the chance with open arms.
“We were originally going to move to the Highlands,” she told The Courier Journal. “Then we came down here and were looking at a place on St. James Court, but … it’s hard to find parking (there).”
With four kids — three of whom are now driving — finding a home with a garage was imperative. The hunt eventually led Tate and her husband to their current abode across from Old Louisville’s Central Park: a six-bedroom, four-bathroom Victorian mansion with lots of places to park, and a gorgeous garden to boot.
Love at first sight
The property at 1375 S. 4th St. came with the garage Tate was set on having, but of course, she had to scope out the rest of the home before making an offer. Once she walked upstairs to the second-floor balcony off the main dressing room, she was sold — the view overlooking the backyard garden was breathtaking.
“It’s my favorite thing,” she exclaimed, adding that simply sitting in the green space has become a favorite pastime. “And our neighbors are really nice. We can yell back and forth (from our backyards).”
She explains that the home’s previous owner started the garden; over the last few years, the Tates have made modifications to the outdoor space to better accommodate their family’s needs.
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“The former owner did all the gardens, and it looked a lot cleaner when she had it,” Tate said with a laugh. “But we’ve got four kids (and a) dog … and there are so many people in and out.”
Going with the flow
Though the garden looks a little different than it did before Tate took over in July 2019, it is still just as lush. She explains that she didn’t really consider herself a gardener prior to the move, but it has been a rather easy transition.
“I just had a regular suburban yard,” she said. “This is so different ‘cause it’s all perennials, (but the previous owner) really set it up (so) if I don’t put a lot of pots out, or a lot of annuals, it really keeps itself — except for the leaf cleanup and the trimming.”
The garden is currently full of hydrangeas, lilies, clematis, and more. Tate says some of her favorite features are the magnolia tree, as well as the gingko in the front yard.
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“(It’s) amazing, because it’ll drop all the leaves in one day,” she said. “You’ll walk outside one day, and it’s (like a) carpet everywhere, all over our front yard and (our neighbor’s) front yard. That’s my favorite. … I (also) like the hostas a lot, (and) I like the colors of the hydrangeas because they’re so different.”
Adding pops of color
One of the most obvious changes that Tate has made to the garden since moving in is sprinkling colorful elements throughout.
“I think when we bought it, (it was) an English-style garden,” she said. “It was peaceful (and) very calm, but it wasn’t very comfortable. (There wasn’t) any color back here, so we added some color, because it seems more fun.”
She now describes her garden as an eclectic blending of styles. Though much of the pond and greenery remain, the family has since added several seating areas with multicolored chairs and bright benches, a hammock, two firepits, and a hot tub. Tate has also sprinkled pieces from the St. James Court Art Show throughout.
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“It’s now a (really) comfortable space,” she said. “We can have a lot of people back here, (from) kids to older people. There are a lot of places to read and (relax).”
Tate’s garden is being showcased in the 2022 Old Louisville Hidden Treasures Garden Tour.
Know a house that would make a great Home of the Week? Email writer Lennie Omalza at [email protected] or Lifestyle Editor Kathryn Gregory at [email protected].
WHAT: On the second weekend of June each year, Louisville offers glimpses into one of its best-kept secrets. The Old Louisville Hidden Treasures Garden Tour welcomes garden lovers into the private green spaces of the nation’s largest Victorian residential neighborhood. Gardeners share their personal retreats, tucked behind stately Victorian mansions, and protected by vine-covered walls and privacy fences.
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., June 11-12
WHERE: The self-guided tour can begin at any of the addresses listed on the event website.
TICKETS: $20 tickets may be purchased online in advance of the tour by June 10 at 5 p.m. General admission tickets on the day of the tour are $25. Tickets for seniors ages 65 and older on the day of the tour are $20. Children 10 and under are free but must be supervised by an adult.
MORE INFORMATION: Visit oldlouisvillegardentour.org for more information.
nuts & bolts
Owners: David and Leslie Tate, who are both CPAs. Also in the home are their children Dillon (22), Ethan (21), Roman (17), and Carmen (15), as well as their Boston Chiweenie, Max.
Home: This is a 6-bed, 4-bath, 5,600-square-foot, Victorian home in Old Louisville that was built in 1894.
Distinctive elements: Carving of home’s builder, Bennett Henderson Young, on front of house; large ginkgo tree in front yard; magnolias, hydrangeas, lilies, clematis, hostas, and more in the lush English-style garden back yard.
Applause! Applause! All American Painting for staining the decking, and Walnut Ridge for the landscaping.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville homes: Leslie Tate home is sprawling, historic mansion
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