New Hampshire Gardens: Western Region

• Including tours of private residential gardens in Alstead, Dublin, Gilsum, Hancock, Peterborough, Surry, Walpole, and Westmoreland. 

Please e-mail listings, preferably in the format below, to: evergreenfoundationnh@gmail.com.

Photos by The Fells

Heather bed at The Fells

Photos by The Fells

Historic estate with perennial border and Rhododendron maximum at The Fells

Photos by New Hampshire State Parks

Rhododendron maximum in bloom at Rhododendron State Park

Daily, YEAR ROUND, but best in mid-July

Rhododendron State Park

424 Rockwood Pond Road, Fitzwilliam

A National Natural Landmark, named for its 16-acre grove of Rhododendron maximum, the largest colony of wild rhododendrons in northern New England. The huge, centuries-old broadleaf evergreen shrubs—also known as rosebays or great laurel—are viewed from a nearly level, handicapped-accessible .6-mile trail. Rosebays are less showy than other rhodies—their white blossoms tend to be sparse—so try to visit only during their peak bloom period: mid-July. The adjacent .1-mile Laurel Trail curves through eponymous mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia), another native broadleaf evergreen shrub with shiny leathery leaves; its exquisite white flowers bloom in June. The Wildflower Trail passes herbaceous perennials. $4 on summer weekends; otherwise free, but donations are welcome.
603-532-8862
www.nhstateparks.org

Photo by Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site

Augustus Saint-Gaudens sculpture and formal gardens

Photo by NPS/Don Freeman

Saint-Gaudens’ Standing Lincoln 

Photo by Shin-Boku

The Stroll Garden, a Japanese dry garden at Shin-Boku

Daily, YEAR ROUND

Shin-Boku Nursery

180 Beech Hill Road, Wentworth

Specializes in Japanese-style shin-boku: large, old needle-evergreen trees and shrubs carefully pruned—rather like giant bonsai—into beautiful picturesque shapes.  Some of these specimens are planted in the nursery’s exquisite “dry garden,” a classic Japanese landscape composition in which a large, irregular bed of pebbles represents a pond or other water body, handsome boulders represent islands or even mountains; the “water” is edged with graceful earth mounds, moss-covered rocks, evergreen shrubs, and stone sculpture and lanterns—which represent the landscape around the pond—and the entire composition is accessed by graceful bridges, each consisting of a single large piece of stone. (The Asticou Azalea Garden has a similar feature.) Free.
603-764-9993; best to call ahead
www.shin-bokunursery.com

Photo by Tracy Library

Garden at Tracy Library

Daily, YEAR ROUND

Garden at Tracy Library

304 Main Street, New London

The quadrilaterally symmetrical garden behind the public library, designed in 1926 by the Olmsted Brothers, features a square pool, with a bronze fountain, surrounded by lush perennial beds in neat parterres. Free.
603-526-4656
www.gardenattracy.org

Photos by The Garden Conservancy

Garden of Michael & Betsy Gordon

Photo by The Garden Conservancy

Garden of Michael & Betsy Gordon

Photos from Garden Conservancy by Nancy Belluscio

Japanese house, garden and pond

Sunday, JUNE 7, 10-4

Japanese House in a New Hampshire Garden

Dublin

The owner added the Japanese garden and pond to his Japanese-style house “so that visitors could experience that same quiet feeling outside the house as they did inside.”  The opening is part of the Garden Conservancy’s Open Days program. Admission is $10 and by pre-registration only at www.gardenconservancy.org.

Photos by The Garden Conservancy

May Place–Gardens of Bill and Eileen Elliott

Sunday, JUNE 7, 10-4

May Place Garden

Hancock

Bill and Eileen Elliott have planted a collector’s garden—trees, shrubs, perennials, biennials, annuals, herbs, and vegetables—in a two-acre woodland clearing, plus a shade garden near their house.  The opening is part of the Garden Conservancy’s Open Days program. Admission is $10 and by pre-registration only at www.gardenconservancy.org.

Photo by The Garden Conservancy

Distant Hill Gardens–Garden of Michael and Kathy Nerrie

Saturday, JUNE 20, 10-4

Distant Hill Gardens & Nature Trail

Walpole

Designed by Michael and Kathy Nerrie, this 155-acre landscape consists of an acre of “cultivated gardens”—500 labeled plant varieties, vegetable and cutting gardens, sculptures, etc.—surrounded by a naturalistic landscape with 2 miles of gravel paths to a boardwalk over a cranberry bog, a geology trail with interpretive signs, a pollinator meadow, and other features, plus 3 miles of hiking trails.  The opening is part of the Garden Conservancy’s Open Days program. Admission is $10 and by pre-registration only at www.gardenconservancy.org.

Photo by The Garden Conservancy

Inkberry Gardens

Saturday, JUNE 20, 10-4

Inkberry Gardens

Surry

This 4½-acre landscape consists of 20 individual gardens within 8 garden rooms, all offset by historic stone walls and granite seating, and all designed to provide color, texture, and interest from April to October.  The opening is part of the Garden Conservancy’s Open Days program. Admission is $10 and by pre-registration only at www.gardenconservancy.org.

Saturday, JULY 25, 10-4

Boggy Meadow Farm

Walpole

Overlooking the Connecticut River, the 3-acre garden features English borders, a handsome formal grape arbor, a small sunken garden, and a narrow ravine with a stream.  The opening is part of the Garden Conservancy’s Open Days program. Admission is $10 and by pre-registration only at www.gardenconservancy.org.

Saturday, JULY 25, 10-4

Hudson Garden

Westmoreland

Created by professional gardener Marc Hudson, this 1½-acre collector’s garden includes a wide variety of specimen trees, mixed herbaceous and shade borders, understory plants, and winding paths, all on a sloping former pasture.  The opening is part of the Garden Conservancy’s Open Days program. Admission is $10 and by pre-registration only at www.gardenconservancy.org.

Saturday, JULY 25, 10-4

MedicineWheel Garden

Alstead

Named for its large “medicine wheel”—one of many stone features, including walks and steps, built by its passionate rock-loving creator, the ¼-acre garden includes raised beds, distant views, and, of course, rock gardens.  The opening is part of the Garden Conservancy’s Open Days program. Admission is $10 and by pre-registration only at www.gardenconservancy.org.

Saturday, AUGUST 15, 10-4

Hidden Pocket Garden

Peterborough

Located on hilly in-town lot, this ½-acre garden features annuals and perennials with bold colors, boxwood hedges, and views of both the town and distant hills.  The opening is part of the Garden Conservancy’s Open Days program. Admission is $10 and by pre-registration only at www.gardenconservancy.org.

Saturday, AUGUST 15, 10-4

Monadnock Vistas

Peterborough

This 65-acre ridge-top property has views of both Monadnock and Pack Monadnock mountains.  The lawn around the Cape-style residence has been replaced by sweeps of perennials, ornamental grasses, and low shrubs.  These and other plantings create blossom color from spring through fall.  The extensive grounds include a vegetable garden, an orchard, a grape arbor, a pond, and a swimming pool.  The opening is part of the Garden Conservancy’s Open Days program. Admission is $10 and by pre-registration only at www.gardenconservancy.org.

Saturday, AUGUST 15, 10-4

A Pocket Garden of Surprises

Peterborough

This tiny, 250-square-foot in-town apartment garden centers on an architect-designed brushed aluminum pergola surrounded by evergreen trees, yew hedges, ornamental grasses, annuals, and perennials.  The opening is part of the Garden Conservancy’s Open Days program. Admission is $10 and by pre-registration only at www.gardenconservancy.org.

Saturday, AUGUST 15, 10-12, 12-2, 2-4

Windy Hill

Hancock

Named for its location on a windy, rocky ridge with mountain views, the sprawling landscape features a Rockery with native shrubs and ground covers, a “Tree Garden”—oaks pruned to frame vistas—pollinators beds, woods, and meadow lawns.  One-mile and ½-mile loop paths wind through wildflower meadows, a pruned birch grove, and a pond.  The opening is part of the Garden Conservancy’s Open Days program. Admission is $10 and by pre-registration only at www.gardenconservancy.org.

Photo by The Garden Conservancy

Skatutakee Farm

Sunday, JUNE 7, 10-4

Skatutakee Farm

Hancock

Surrounding Hancock’s first dwelling—a farmhouse built in 1776—Skatutakee Garden boasts a 48-foot-long koi pond, extensive perennial beds, a vegetable garden, a woodland border, and a bog garden. The opening is part of the Garden Conservancy’s Open Days program. Admission is $10 and by pre-registration only at www.gardenconservancy.org.

Photo by The Garden Conservancy

Skatutakee Farm

Photos by The Garden Conservancy

Hollows End

Photo by The Garden Conservancy

Hollows End