27 Jul The Afton Villa Gardens of Louisiana

Your landscaping inspiration may come from a variety of places, but few gardens can compare to the manicured and pristine beauty of the formal gardens at Afton Villa. This historic plantation site in St. Francisville, Louisiana is worth a visit to explore the unique design features that sprawl 20 acres on the site of the former residence of The Barrows Family, who purchased the property in 1820.

A Historic Plantation

The Afton Villa was the residence that once stood at the site of the gardens, and the ruins can still be seen today. However, the residence itself burned down in 1963. This was just shy of two decades after the home was purchased by Mr. and Mrs. Wallace Percy, who had completely restored the home to its original Gothic revival style.

Restored Formal Gardens

Though the home was destroyed, the gardens were seen by the Thimble family as a site worth preserving. The Thimbles purchased the property after the villa burned down and were able to make living quarters in the pool quarters. They began an extensive restoration project to bring the formal garden back to life, all while preserving its iconic original features and character. Today, the gardens feature a daffodil valley, pleasure grounds, ruins gardens, formal parterre garden, and a family cemetery. Even driving to the garden entrance is a uniquely beautiful experience, as you will be surrounded by huge old-growth oak trees lining the road.

Visiting the Gardens

You can visit the gardens in the spring or fall. They are open seven days a week between March 1st and June 30th and between October 1st and November 30th. Admission is $5 for adults and free for children under 12.