New England Gardens

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Public gardens of all types are found from one end of New England to another. They range from formal and traditional, like the Elizabeth Park Rose Garden in Hartford, Connecticut, to the wide and whimsical, like the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay, Maine. Rhododendrons bloom wild at a park in southern New Hampshire and butterflies have their own garden habitats in parts of Rhode Island and Massachusetts. In all the warm months, garden clubs host local garden tours of places as private and lavish as the homes of Newport, Rhode Island, and elsewhere.

Inn at Tanglewood Hall

611 York Street York Harbor, ME, 03911 Phone: 207-351-1075

Picture-perfect gardens surround coastal inn

At the elegant Tanglewood Hall, everywhere you turn, there is a floral feast for the eyes. Walk through the natural woodland gardens, admire the perennials and rhododendron from your rocking chair or hammock on the veranda, smile at the whimsical fountains. Catch the seasonal scents of daffodils and lilies, lilac and lupine, foxglove and rosa rugosa. At night, fairy lights twinkle throughout the property. With such beauty, you can’t blame the innkeepers for wanting the gardens to continue past their doorstep. From flower themes in the artwork on the walls and cushions to handpainted floral themes on the floors and wallpaper, everything about the historic inn suggests walking in to a picture-perfect secret garden by the sea.

Rock Garden Bay Village Resort Chatham Massachusetts

Pleasant Bay Village Resort

1191 Orleans Road Chatham, MA, 02633 Phone: 508-945-6061

Chatham inn boasts gardens that are a delight to see – and to walk through

The lovingly tended gardens at Pleasant Bay Village, a resort in the quaint seaside town of Chatham, are more than beautifully landscaped: They are made to be walked through. Inn guests can stroll down paths through flowering trees and shrubs, intricate rock gardens and past colorful blooms, whimsical statuary – even waterfalls. A pleasant pond features waterlilies and colorful koi. Many of the resort’s rooms overlook a serene Asian-themed garden, which Frommer’s New England called “a playful Zen paradise.” The gardens, which can be viewed from many of the resort’s rooms and suites, are filled with places for wanderers to sit and contemplate, read a book or have a quiet conversation.

Lake Morey Resort

1 Clubhouse Road Fairlee, VT, 05045 Phone: 802-333-4311 Toll-Free: 800-423-1211

Gardens add color and magic to this popular Vermont Resort

Lake Morey’s scenic grounds, formal gardens and surrounding area beckon you to Vermont and its lakeside waterfront. This magnificent lodging and vacation retreat offers 139 guest rooms and suites with breathtaking views of the lake, some with balconies, and a few very special rooms overlooking the beautifully landscaped Maple View gardens located in front of the hotel, featuring a gazebo, trellises, and a fabulous fountain and reflecting pool. This offers a great place for socializing and cocktails or an opportunity to pause for some quiet reflection. The Hemlock Garden is filled with flowers and hemlock trees. There is also an impeccably maintained 18 hole golf course and some of the best walking, hiking, biking and nearby attractions in the Northeast.

Harkness Memorial State Park

275 Great Neck Road / State Route 213 Waterford, CT, 06385 Phone: 860-443-5725

Beautiful seaside gardens; Roman Classical Revival Mansion open for tours in summer

This park is on the edge of Long Island Sound, occupying the property of the former Harkness family estate. The 230 acres include vast lawns, trees and wonderful gardens. Also, the family’s summer mansion known as Eolia. It is a Roman Renaissance Classical Revival-style mansion with 40 rooms, a pergola, and a carriage house (support complex). Lush gardens, including an Alpine rock garden, surround the mansion, which is open for tours from Memorial to Labor Day.
Property is open year-round, daily, from 8 a.m. to sunset. Parking fees are charged. The Verkades gate is for pedestrian access only. - Park Map

Fuller Gardens

10 Willow Avenue North Hampton, NH, 03862 Phone: 603-964-5414

Flowers bloom from May to September at this Colonial-style garden. See full description of Fuller Gardens.

Kirkwood Gardens of the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center

900 Route 3 Holderness, NH Phone:

This informal garden is open to the public daily at no cost. Perennial lants are abundant, attracting bees, butterflies, and birds of many species.

Green Animals Topiary Garden in Portsmouth RI with VisitNewEngland.com

Green Animals Topiary Gardens

380 Cory's Lane off Route 114 Portsmouth, RI, 02871 Phone: 401-847-1000

Popular gardens are in Portsmouth, but part of the family of Newport Mansions. Giant animals shaped from bushes. One of Rhode Island's the Newport area's most beloved outdoor attractions. See full description of Green Animals Topiary Gardens.

Berkshire Botanical Garden

Routes 102 and 183 Stockbridge, MA, 01262 Phone: 413-298-3926

A center for horticultural and environmental education, this 15-acre public garden features intimate country landscapes, colorful perennial and annual gardens, a terraced herb garden, pond garden, rock garden, ornamental vegetable garden, display greenhouse, woodland interpretive trail and gift shop. Collections emphasize plants that thrive in the Berkshires. Open May – October.
See a full description on our Garden page.

Garden in the Woods

180 Hemenway Road Framingham, MA, 01701 Phone: 508-877-7630

Throughout 45 acres of natural and landscaped botanical gardens, visitors will find themselves swept away by fantasy-like, odd species of plants, and the meandering beauty of this glacier-formed path through Massachusetts woods. See full description of Garden in the Woods

Florence Griswold Garden Old Lyme-credit-Connecticuts Historic Gardens

Florence Griswold Museum Gardens

96 Lyme Street Lyme, CT Phone: 860-434-5542

In the early 20th century, Florence Griswold’s boarding house in Old Lyme was the hub of one of the most important summer art colonies in America. Visitors may explore the beautiful property alongside the Lieutenant River and walk through the “old-fashioned” historic gardens.
Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, 1-5 p.m. Closed on major holidays.
Admission: Adults, $10; seniors, $9; students, $8; free of children under age 12. Information:

Thorncrag Nature Sanctuary

Highland Spring Road Lewiston, ME, 04240 Phone:

Nature sanctuary in the edge of Lewiston and even accessible by city bus. Walking, bird watching and other passive recreation are encouraged. See full description of Thorncrag Nature Sanctuary.

Elms garden--credit-John-Corbett-The-Preservation-Society-of-Newport-County

The Elms

Bellevue Avenue Newport, RI Phone: 401-847-1000

A National Historic Landmark, The Elms is a French-style chateau built in 1901 by architect Horace Trumbauer as a summer house for millionaire entrepreneur Edward Julius Berwind. It contains every technological marvel of its time, and was one of the first Newport houses to be fully electrified. The estate includes a 10-acrre park and elaborate sunken garden. Consult mansion website for public hours, which may change seasonally.

Naumkeag

Prospect Hill Road Stockbridge, MA, 01262 Phone: 413-298-3239

Bathe yourself in the sweet air of these vast gardens, identifying herbs, perennials, and annuals that settlers treasured. See full description of Naumkeag

Rhododendron State Park

424 Rockwood Pond Road Fitzwilliam, NH, 03447 Phone: 603-532-8862

Magnificent rhododendron grove and wildflower trail

Named a National Natural Landmark in 1982, this rhododendron garden produces a glorious show at peak time in July. A nearby wildflower trail blooms from spring through fall.
Trail information.
Trail maps.
See full description of Rhododendron State Park.

Coastal Maine Botanical Garden in Boothbay Harbor Maine with VisitNewEngland.com

Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens

Barters Island Road Boothbay, ME, 04537 Phone: 207-633-4333

Truly wonderful gardens with a large variety of garden areas, beds, and themes. Fairy Garden and Children's Garden are delightful. Great gift shop. Open year-round.

Glebe House Garden-credit-Connecticut's Historic Gardens

Glebe House and Gertrude Jekyll Garden

Hollow Road / P.O. Box 245 Woodbury, CT, 06798 Phone: 203-263-2855

Farmhouse built in 1740 is set in the picturesque Litchfield Hills in historic Woodbury’s village center. It offers a glimpse of Revolutionary War-era Connecticut. Birthplace of the Episcopal Church in the New World and graced by the only existing American garden planned by Gertrude Jekyll.
Hours: May-October, Wednesday-Sunday, 1-4 p.m.; November, weekends only, 1–4 p.m. Fee charged.

webb deane stevens colonia revival garden

Colonial Revival Garden of the Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum

211 Main Street Wethersfield, CT Phone: 860-529-0612

Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum is conposed of four historic homes from the 18th century. Tours and special events take place all year. The Webb House garden was a prototypical of Colonial Revival gardens dating from the 1920s. It was created by landscape designer Amy Cogswell.

Hours: May 1-October 31, daily except Tuesdays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday, 1-4 p.m.; April and November, open weekends only; special tours by appointment.

Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum

101 Ferry Road / Route 114 Bristol, RI, 02809 Phone: 401-253-2707

The magnificent English country mansion on a hilltop above Narragansett Bay has wonderful gardens and lots of seasonal events, classes, and demonstration at which guests may enjoy them. A Giant Sequoia and centennial rose grace the many garden plots and winding paths.
See full description of Blithewold Mansion, Gardens, and Arboretum.

Cathedral of the Pines

10 Hale Hill Road Rindge, NH, 03461 Phone: 603-899-3300

This peaceful mountain memorial honor Americans who died serving their country in World War II. The central altar, called the Altar of the Nation, is situated on a hilltop with a panoramic view of the Grand Monadnock
See full description at our New Hampshire gardens pages.

Osborne Homestead Museum

500 Hawthorne Avenue (near Osbornedale State Park) Derby, CT, 06418 Phone: 203-734-2513

This 1850 estate offers several gardens, including an English rock garden and formal rose garden. Inside, visitors will find art and antiques collections. $1 donation is requested from visitors.

Heritage-Museums-and-Gardens-in-Sandwich-credit-MOTT

Heritage Museums & Gardens

67 Grove Street Sandwich, MA, 02563 Phone: 508-888-3300

Historic families and noble enterprises meet in the Garden

Here are 100 spectacular acres of trees, shrubs, beautiful flowers and sweeping lawns. This extraordinary environment offers unmatched horticulture, garden design, outdoor discovery, the exhibition of great collections and a year-round blaze of vibrant color. The region’s moderate temperatures and rainfall mean happy plants totaling more than 500 cultivars spread over Heritage in the Labyrinth, the Hart Family Garden Maze, Hidden Hollow, Flume Fountain, the Parade Field, the Wicked Plants Garden, and the Windmill Garden where some of the most spectacular blooms can be found. Enjoy garden-related workshops, lectures, and activities throughout the year. Three gallery buildings house special and permanent exhibitions. Plan a special event or group tour and be sure to visit the Shop at Heritage.

Roger Williams Park Botanical Center

1000 Elmwood Avenue Cranston, RI, 02907 Phone: 401-785-9450

Botanic garden is housed in a glass-and-steel-edged conservatory. Seasonal plants, delightful getaway. See full description of Roger Williams Park Botanical Center.

Prescott Park

Marcy Street Portsmouth, NH Phone: 603-431-2000

This very pretty city park is located within easy walking distance from the center of Portsmouth, and on the banks of the Piscataqua River, which is always lively with views of fishing boats, tugboats, cruises and other watercraft. The parks is across the street from Strawbery Banke Museum, where costumed interpreters describe life in the neighborhood over four centuries. Prescott Park has very large flowerbed and demonstration gardens. The park also hosts a big schedule of outdoor concerts and plays for kids throughout the summer.

Lyman Estate and Greenhouses

185 Lyman Street Waltham, MA, 02452 Phone: 781-891-1985

On this historic country manor, built in the 18th century, visitors will find interesting gardens, landscaping and indoor furnishings. Of particular interest are the grapevines and camellia trees, both of which are over 100 years old. See full description of Lyman Gardens.

Mytoi

Dike Road, Chappaquiddick Island Martha’s Vineyard, MA, 02568 Phone: 508-627-7689

This is one of the best garden visits in New England. A beautiful Japanese-style garden in the pine forests of equally beautiful Martha's Vineyard. See full description Mytoi.

Harriet Beecher Stowe Center

77 Forest Street Hartford, CT, 06105 Phone: 860-522-9258

Victorian-era gardens on glorious display at Harriet Beecher Stowe Center

At the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center, interesting things to look at are found outside as well as inside. Inside the center, exhibits inform visitors about the life of the famous activist, abolitionist and author of “Uncle Tom’s Cabin.” Outside, the gardens are instructive about the author’s knowledge of and appreciation for Victorian-era flowers and plantings. The gardens, one of Connecticut’s Historic Gardens, include a woodland garden, a wildflower meadow, a high Victorian texture garden, heritage roses and and formal color-coordinated gardens. The property also includes the state’s largest magnolia tree and a dogwood that is more than 100 years old.

Boston Public Garden

Boylston, Arlington, Beacon and Charles Streets Boston, MA Phone: 617-723-8144

This garden is in the heart of bustling Boston, and contains a natural haven of colorful flowers, bushes, and trees.

Bedrock Gardens

45 High Road Lee, NH Phone:

Called an oasis of art, horticulture, and inspiration. Bedrock Gardens is a privately owned property where the public is invited to tour and visit on Open Gardens Weekends six months of the year. The huge variety of garden plots includes a parterre garden, a swaleway, funnel gardens, an allee, the shrubaria, the GrassAcre, Belgian Fence, rock gardens, the coop and wave, a paddock garden, and more. Many special events include topics like beekeeping, ballroom dancing, and learning about caterpillars, native plants and pollinators. Printable map. Parking is a small lot on the property, supplemented by free shuttle vans for and from Mastway School, 23 Mast Road, Lee, leaving every 15 minutes.
Hours: Open Garden Days, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.. Check garden website for Open Garden Days.
Admission: $10 suggested donation for adults.

Gardens of Fells Estate in New Hampshire

Fells Historic Estate and Gardens

Route 103A / P.O. Box 276 Newbury, NH, 03255 Phone: 603-763-4789

This historic home overlooking Lake Sunapee has beautiful perennial and rose gardens, a heather bed and a lily pool of Japanese design. Grounds and gardens are accessible in all seasons, and tours are offered in the warm seasons.
See full description of The Fells.

Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site

139 Saint Gaudens Road Cornish, NH, 03745 Phone: 603-675-2175

This property displays the works of American sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens. The property also includes lovely gardens and walking trails.

Justin S. Morrill State Historic Site Gardens

214 Justin Morrill Memorial Hwy. Strafford, VT Phone:

A native of Stafford, Justin Morrill entered politics in 1854 and served in the United States House of Representatives and Senate for nearly 44 years. His homestead is a prime example of Gothic Revival architecture. Visitors may take self-guided tours of the gardens during daylight hours at no cost, with the help of outdoor interpretive signs, including images and maps.
Morrill’s own designs for the gardens follow the principles of the romantic landscape movement in America. Walkers will find serpentine walkways, arabesque beds planted with colorful annuals, and historic trees like the Magnolia kobus and Norway spruce. The kitchen garden has perennials, herbs, roses, dwarf fruit trees, and vegetables. Many of the original plantings made by Morrill survive.
Hours; The house is open May through October; the gardens are open for self-guided walks year-round, dawn to dusk.

Acton Arboretum

2 Taylor Road Acton, MA Phone:

This public conservation area has a many gardens and a trail system through meadows, woodland ponds, and through a bog. The herb garden, butterfly garden, hosta garden, daylily garden, rhododendron garden, lilac fragrance garden, and a pond planting are wheelchair-accessible. There are three major trails at the Acton Arboretum has three major trails, with many interconnected paths. The trails are the Orchard Loop, Wildflower Loop, and the Highland/Bog Loop. A trail connects to the Arboretum from the Town Green, traveling parallel to Taylor Road. Parking is available at the Arboretum’s main entrance, off Taylor Road. FAQs. Arboretum Map.
Hours: Open year-round; daily; dawn to dusk. There is no admission charge.

Path of Life Sculpture Garden

36 Park Road Windsor, VT Phone: 802-674-9933

The Path of Life is a public sculpture garden that tells the story of the great circle of life. Eighteen works of art symbolize the human journey from birth to death. The garden is located on 14 acres of trails, wildflower fields, and open spaces on the bank of the Connecticut River. The garden is the creation of Terry McDonnell, whose model for the garden was The Life of Man, a Japanese garden in Kildare, Ireland. Among the objects that McDonnell has assembled for the garden are hemlock trees that compose the maze of Adventure, a large granite Buddha for Contemplation, and a five-piece, 25-foot-tall, band representing Creativity, made from driftwood from California’s Russian River. Fun for adults and kids. Path of Life Garden is on property adjacent to Great River Outfitters and managed by GRO.
Garden guide and map.
Hours: Year-round, daily, dawn to dusk.
Admission: Age 12 and older, $6; age 4 to 12, $3

Wickham Park

1329 West Middle Turnpike Manchester, CT, 06040 Phone: 860-528-0856

Located in Manchester and East Hartford, Connecticut, Wickham Park has 250 acres of meticulously created gardens, along with sprawling fields, woods, ponds, picnic sites, and sports fields. Plant lovers and admirers of nature's splendor are sure to appreciate six themed ornamental gardens.
Hours: Early April through October; 9:30 a.m.-sunset .
Admission: Parking fee is $4 weekdays and $5 weekends.

Hildene Gardens

1005 Hildene Road Manchester, VT Phone: 802-362-1788

This Georgian Revival mansion was built in 1908 by Robert Lincoln, son of Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln who served as chairman of the Pullman Company. The formal garden was designed by Jessie Lincoln, grad-daughter of President Abraham Lincoln, in 1908. The pattern of the garden is meant to resemble a stained glass window. Among the ornamental plants in the formal garden, you will find flowers especially attractive to bees and butterflies.
See full description of the mansion and the entire estate at our Historic Homes and Sites page.
Hours: Open year-round; daily; 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
General Admission: Over age 16, $23; youth age 6 to 16, $6. This includes self-guided tours of the house, Hildene Farm, the Pullman car Sunbeam, Dene Farm and about 12 miles of walking trails.

Cider Hill Gardens & Gallery

1747 Hunt Road Windsor, VT Phone: 802-674-6825

This is the home and property of an artist and a horticulturist. Enjoy a stroll around the gardens and stop in the art gallery while you enjoy and shop for plants. Potted perennials and herbs are for sale, including hosta, peonies, day lilies and primroses.
Hours: Gardens, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. May-June: Wednsday-Sunday; July-September: Thursday-Sunday; October-November: Friday-Sunday

Long Hill

572 Essex Street Beverly, MA, 01915 Phone: 978-921-1944

This federal-style brick house is surrounded by carefully designed gardens in the form of individual spaces, or garden rooms. The property is surrounded by woods, an orchard, and farm fields. Open year-round, daily, to visitors. See full listing for Long Hill.

Spohr Gardens

45 Fells Road Falmouth, MA Phone:

This six-acre garden is on the shore of Oyster Pond. A walk on the paths and trails will take you close to beds of daffodils, rhododendrons, azaleas, lilies. There is a parking lot.

Elizabeth Park Rose Gardens

Corner of Prospect Avenue and Asylum Avenue Hartford, CT Phone: 860-231-9443

Magnificent rose gardens in a historic city park. See full description of Elizabeth Park Rose Gardens.

Ashintully Gardens

Sodem and Main Roads Tyringham, MA, 01238 Phone: 413-298-3239

A rushing stream, native deciduous trees, a rounded knoll, and rising meadows are blended into an arrangement of both formal and informal beauty. Garden features include the fountain pond, pine park, rams head terrace, bowling green, regency bridge, and trellis triptych. See full description of Ashintully Gardens

Mohegan Park Rose Garden

20 Park Center Road Norwich, CT Phone: 860-823-3798

Nice urban park for walking, swimming, field sports. Park is famous for its grand rose garden.

This is the Rose City and a formal rose garden is one of many features -- including a swimming beach and walks -- in this delightful urban park
See full description of Mohegan Park.

Maudslay State Park

Curzon Mill Road Newburyport, MA Phone: 978-465-7223

Great place to walk in all seasons, with beautiful 19-century gardens and plants, and showy displays of large beds of mountain laurel in summer and rhododendron and azalea in in May and June. See full description of Maudslay State Park.

Arnold Arboretum

125 Arborway Jamaica Plain, MA, 02130 Phone: 617-524-1718

This academic-fueled garden site has a vast variety of floral species from all over the world. See full description of Arnold Arboretum.

Wellesley College Botanic Garden

106 Central Street Wellesley, MA, 02481 Phone: 781-283-3049

The college resource welcomes the public to several greenhouses almost every day to its academic-based collections of plants from many habitats. See a full description on our Gardens page.

Botanic Garden of Smith College

15 College Lane Northampton, MA, 01063 Phone: 413-585-2740

Discover the natural splendor of the plant kingdom within this fantasy-like collection of plants. See a full description on our Gardens page.

Thankful Arnold House

Hayden Hill Road, off Route 154 Haddam, CT, 06438 Phone: 860-345-2400

This three-story, 1794 home has been restored to reflect the lifestyle and furnishings of the period. A garden on the property features herbs, vegetables, and flowers.
Hours: Open year-round; Wednesday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; Thursday, 2 -8 p.m.; Friday, noon-3 p.m.; also from Memorial Day to Columbus day, Sundays, 1- 4 p.m.
Admission: Adults, $4; seniors, $3; children, $2.

Ashumet Holly Wildlife Sanctuary

Off Nathan Ellis Hwy. East Falmouth, MA, 02536 Phone: 508-362-7475

This preserve features groves of holly, as well as a colony of barn swallows. Self-guided trails take visitors through the sanctuary. Open May-August. See full description of Ashumet Holly Wildlife Sanctuary.