Have you ever heard of the Gates Ajar? It’s a bit of a hidden gem tucked away in Como Park. It’s a beautiful mosaiculture garden, a stairway to heaven if you will, made entirely of flowers.
There are several different plants all worked into a stunning floral design. You can see the intricate detail, the delicate petals coming together in a symphony of color. The wrought-iron gates are an impressive sight too. They were actually taken from the Crosby Estate, a grand old house that once stood nearby.
This garden was the inspiration for The Gates Ajar, a popular novel by Elizabeth Stuart Phelps Ward. It was published in 1868 and became a bestseller, a beacon of hope for many Americans who had lost loved ones during the Civil War. The story is about a woman who is guided by her aunt to find peace after her brother’s death. The book describes Heaven as a place like Earth, but even better.
Henry Robbins planned the design for the Gates Ajar here in the park. It’s a wonderful example of a traditional European garden that was brought to the US by Parks Superintendent Frederick Nussbaumer. It’s been planted every year since 1894, except for a few years during World War I. And while the planting pattern changes each year, it always includes the symbolism of Faith, Hope, and Charity.
Imagine standing here on the steps of this beautiful floral stairway. It’s a gateway to imagination. Perhaps you are looking at the garden as you would imagine Heaven. Or perhaps the story of a grieving woman has touched your heart. Looking at a garden like this, you can feel the peace that comes from knowing life continues beyond the earthly gates.