Lakes District

The Lakes District, with its postcard-perfect scenery, is known to spark a distinct state of serenity. Open vistas, rolling green lawns, sparkling water, and splashing fountains recall a Victorian holiday from days gone by, reminding us of the joy of fresh air, a nice walk, and an exquisite view.

About This District

This area, which includes the Italian Water Garden and the Large and Small Lakes, reflects two of our founder Pierre S. du Pont’s passions: the beauty of water, and his delight in providing spaces for public enjoyment. Soon after he purchased the property in 1906 he began restorations to this area. The Large and Small Lakes provide open, spacious views, which serve as a welcome moment of decompression after leaving the more intimate pathways of Peirce’s Woods and Peirce’s Park. In 1925 Pierre embarked upon the construction of the Italian Water Garden, which added contrasting elements of formal design to the more naturalistic setting of the surrounding landscapes. In 2008, we added a new surprise for guests to enjoy–the Canopy Cathedral Treehouse.

Gardens in this District

Italian Water Garden

Italian Water Garden

Enclosed by pristine allées of littleleaf lindens and mature evergreens, this formal space, with its symmetrical blue-tiled pools and splashing fountains, offers the allure of a secret garden.
Large & Small Lake

Large & Small Lake

Take in the expansive views of rolling green lawns, midnight-blue water, and trees that reach for the sky. Nearby Cathedral Canopy Treehouse offers a chance for inspired exploration and new-found vistas.

District Highlights

A stone decorative gazebo stands tall under green trees

A wooden two-story treehouse sits among a large area of trees with green and orange leaves

Four rectangular pools of water with fountains in the middle surrounded a small circular fountain with green grass surrounding them all

Two people look out a large wooden with a wood lattice out at an area of green grass and trees

A row of green trees is reflected below in a large calm lake

A stone decorative structure stands on the edge of a large lake with dormant winter trees surrounding

Small water fountains arch over a larger pool of water in the ground surrounded by green grass

What’s in Bloom

Pink-root

Spigelia marilandica

Spigelia marilandica commonly known as Pink-Root is a native to the United States, from Maryland south to Florida, west to Illinois and Texas. Spigelia grows in moist woods, ravines, or along stream banks in partial to full shade. This perennial can grow up to two feet high and one and half feet wide. Pink-Root produces bright carmine red tubular flowers which are two inches long with a yellow inside, and attracts Ruby-Throated hummingbirds from late May to the end of August.
Bottlebrush Buckeye

Aesculus parviflora

Bottlebrush buckeye is a native, deciduous shrub which grows in open woodlands of the eastern United States and grows to 12 feet tall and 15 feet wide. In early summer it produces 12 inch long panicles resembling a bottle brush, composed of small, individual one-to two-inch white flowers, which attract ruby-throated hummingbirds and butterflies. The long, upright panicles provide a textural complement to the mounded habit of the plant. The palmately compound leaves, arranged in opposite pairs, turn a bright clear yellow in the autumn. This low-maintenance, suckering shrub prefers partial shade and moist, acidic soil and is hardy in USDA zones 4 to 8.
- Large Lake
- Peirce’s Park