Oct 2016 Glenstone in Potomac, MD

Dawn Szelc, Clear Blue Landscapes - LDG Secretary

Sylvester

LDG met at the Glenstone property on a blustery day in October. Our guide was the lead horticulturist, Zach Pittenger, who met us outside the property’s art museum on the site, a post WWII museum of art. There was a large patio or open space area with a large sculpture there, Sylvester, 2001, by Richard Serra. According to Zach this was the only perfectly flat space on the grounds. The Glenstone property, owned by Mitch and Emily Rales, used to be a hunting estate. They intend to open it to the public in 2018.  Near this area Zach pointed out  the pool house backed by a grove of River Birch.

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After the introduction we then walked towards the road through a grove of Chinese elm under-planted by Carex pensylanica. Zach also pointed out the Itea virginica “Little Henry” as we walked. He was interested in help from LDG members with ideas to get the carex to fill in better or a recommendation on some replacement which would be a better ground cover to grow under the shade of the trees. The Landscape Architect for the property has been Peter Walker and Partners since 2003. They have had to move many trees on the property to create the planned landscape. Walker’s protégé Adam Greenspan visits there weekly. The other consultants involved are MGAC Consulting, Hitt Construction and Valley Crest Landscapes Contractors. Zach stated that there are 500-800 contractors onsite every day.  He pointed to the Liriope spicata along the wood line which is going to be removed because it is not a native plant. It is also problematic in that spot, due to weeds from the woods. Chinese stilt grass (Microstegium vimineum) is a constant weed that needs to be controlled and all weeding is done by hand. For this weed they have found the best method is to remove the seed heads with a weed whacker. The goal for the property is to be 100% organic, sustainable and planted with natives. Part of that plan is to break up the monocultures which another reason to remove the liriope. They plan to plant New York fern and Haystack fern instead.

Contour 290 by Richard Serra

We headed down the drive toward a large stand of white pines. These had been limbed up to be able to see beyond the boughs, creating a vista. Poplar oaks also line the drive.  Zach pointed out the Shasta viburnum on one side of the road which was planted to screen the view. This will be removed soon to make way for the view to the new museum. At this point Rachel, who is the art tour guide, took over. She discussed the large sculpture in the meadow called Contour 290 by Richard Serra. There were two large sycamores in front although there used to be five, three were moved to the new museum location. Following the contour at 290 feet above sea level, the sculpture was conceived to wind through a thick stand of trees almost perpendicular to the ridge and swale that it bisects. Beyond this sculpture the fields have been flailed with a flail mower and seeded for a meadow restoration. Larry Weaner, the well-known landscape designer, is the consultant for this part of the property. There are currently 12 acres and the plan is to have 25 acres of meadow. The plan is to bring the meadow to the front door of the residence. Larry advocates using glysophate to control the meadow but this is contrary to their goal of 100% organic practices. They have tried vinegar sprays but these are not good for such a large area. Burning was suggested but this is also difficult to control on such a large area. The meadow is a 5-7 year project. Zach stated that they do have a large scale deer problem and will get a deer fence in 1-2 years. Through trial and error, they have found the best way to control weeds is to cut off the tops to get rid of seed heads.

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Smug

Opposite Contour 290 is another large sculpture called Smug by artist Tony Smith. Smith died unexpectedly in 1980. This sculpture was constructed in 2007 as it was originally intended of aluminum painted black. They are trying out new paint on various sections of it - a small section can be seen in the photo. After selecting one, the entire sculpture will be repainted. We were invited to walk into and under the sculpture but to avoid touching it.

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Split Rocker

Zach lead the group out towards a very large sculpture in the far meadow. It is called Split Rocker created by artist Jeff Koons.  It is fabricated with steel boxes containing many pounds of soil each. There are 33,000 annual plugs planted in a mosaic culture. The sculpture looks like a toy and was fashioned from a toy that was broken during a fight that Koons had with his wife. One half resembles a dinosaur and the other a pony.

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We were then taken to a far end of the property where there were three stone houses, with mostly dry stack walls, and inside each is a different sculpture, titled Boulder, Room, and Holes respectively. ​ The first has an enormous globe that fills the whole room. The second  house has interior walls that are cracked. And the third has the circular piece on the back wall. ​ These are all designed by Andy Goldsworthy. ​

Stone House

Holes

Room

Boulder

After the tour those who were able to stay longer had an opportunity to visit the museum and talk further with Zach.  All in all it was a very informative and interesting day! We will be looking forward to the continued development of this property and the public opening in 2018.