The mosaic floor of the amphitheater was based on a wall fresco found in the ancient city of Tiryns. The fresco, thought to date from 1400-1200 BCE, depicts spirals and papyrus lotus blossoms. Running along the four waterways of the Walled Garden are annual beds punctuated by Japanese hollies. In the spring, these beds are heavily planted with colorful tulips while in the summer and fall bright annuals take their place. These displays change from year to year as they would have in Untermyer’s time. On the other side of the pathways bracketing the waterways are fastigiate (columnar) beeches under which naturalizing bulbs have been planted.
