Newbury Perennial Gardens - Display Garden Descriptions

1. The Shade Garden overlooking the pond and fields is immediately on your left after entering the gardens. Five or more plants of each variety have been grouped to provide visual impact from the flower/foliage color and the foliage's texture. (1993) return to the map

2. The Shade Shrub Collection (right) features Viburnums, Azaleas, Laurels, and Rhododendrons - under planted with spring bulbs, perennial Geraniums and wild native phlox. (1985) return to the map

3. The 'Water Fall' (seasonal) is located between the outcrop of ledge and the large oak tree. Only in May will you see the Water Fall. This illusion is a collection of May blooming, low white flowering plants which cascade down the crevices giving the illusion of a water fall. (1986) return to the map

4. The Flame Garden (left) - a home for the yellow, orange and red blooming sun lovers set against the woodland and pond. Yellow bloomers represent the most plentiful, hardiest, tallest and longest season of bloom. (1986, expanded 1998) return to the map Flame Garden Pictures

5. The Lower Alpine Garden (right) at the bottom of the hill features dwarf specimen shrubs and evergreens as well as diminutive perennials. (1998) return to the map Alpine Garden Pictures

The Pond. We leave the landscaping to the wildlife. Namely the swans who weed out the cattails and most other aquatic plants. The fish are large mouth bass. Please be careful when venturing near the water - the pond is deep, the sides steep. Keep children away.

6. The Grass Garden - Their foliage color and height vary tremendously and can create a background or accent for your border. Gardeners beware...select with care for some grasses are very invasive and others brown out with the heat of summer. (1997) return to the map

7. The Gentian Garden in front of the pump house. Most Gentians bloom in late summer and early fall. Look for Corydalis 'Blue Panda' below the Gentians. (1996) return to the map

8. The Woodland Garden features native Azaleas and other flowering shrubs, ferns, ground covers, and Hosta. (1994) return to the map Woodland Garden Pictures

The Bog Garden along the streambed borders the marshes of the Parker River. This garden includes Primulas, Lobelia, Asclepias, Ferns, Petasites, Iris and Rodgersias. (1993)

Please stay on the paths as the wet soil compacts easily and will damage the roots of these sensitive plants.

9. The Grotto is a work in process - a cross between the Italian Romantic Garden period and Tom Sawyer nostalgia - will feature a waterfall and pond. (c.1995) return to the map Grotto Pictures

10. The Drought Tolerant Garden is a trial garden to test those so-called xeriscape selections in our clay soil without any irrigation. (1997) return to the map

11. The Fruit Trees (1997) are practical and the Conifers (1994) an experiment with deer, clay soil, and nature's whims. return to the map

12. The Peony Walk - peaks in mid-June with later blooming perennials and annuals intermixed. (1995) return to the map

13. The Shrub Border. Deciduous and Evergreen shrubs dominate this border with large groupings of perennials and annuals to insure bloom all season. (1990) return to the map Shrub Border Pictures

14. The White Border contains shrubs, perennials, annuals and bulbs for a continual bloom of white flowers including variegated and silver foliage plants to brighten the effect. (1980) return to the map White Border Pictures

15. The Hosta Garden. Hostas are available in hundreds of varieties and are hardy, easy to grow, shade loving perennials. The foliage colors and textures are varied and can be dramatic en mass or as individual accent plants. (1982) return to the map Hosta Garden Pictures

16. The Weeping Garden. The grave stones are for pets past. We enjoy the architecture of the weeping trees and feel the stones compliment the mood. (1983) return to the map Weeping Garden Pictures

17. Daylily Borders make a practical transition between stone walls and lawn or lawn and woodland. They take the spotlight in mid-July. (1975) return to the map

18. The Island Bed - This garden peaks in June with Peonies, Poppies, Lupine, Digitalis, and Iris in a carnival of color. This is followed by old fashion Roses, then Rudbeckia in July and Grasses and Sedum in September. (1974) return to the map Island Bed Pictures

19. The Heather Border blooms in August. Grouped by foliage color, Heathers provide an intriguing tapestry effect with orange, yellow, gray, and all shades of green foliage. Heathers thrive in sharp, well-drained, moist soil and strong light. (1975) return to the map

20. The Summer Garden is the oldest, largest and most formal of our gardens and is walled by Yew and Arborvitae hedging. The Allée is an extension of the hallway of the brick residence built in 1914. The view from the residence is over the terraces, through the summer garden, to the bench and Parker River beyond. The borders contain a large collection of perennials arranged to provide masses of bloom from June until October. Except for the Poppies in early June, the colors used are pastel shades of white, purple, blue, rose and pink. return to the map Summer Garden Pictures

A pink and white Rose garden bordered by Lavender surrounds the central fountain. (1974)

21. The Vegetable, Fruit & Herb Garden is a utilitarian planting. (1977) return to the map

22. 25th Anniversary Rose Garden - We are experimenting with different groundcovers under the roses. The Buxus hedge is 'Green Beauty', but we would recommend 'Winter Gem'. (1996) return to the map Rose Garden Pictures

23. The Upper Alpine Garden contains small (less than 12") plants which for the most part enjoy coarse, well-drained but deeply moist soil and strong to filtered light. This is the earliest garden to bloom. Thanks to Wayne Ketteridge who has supervised the top (1985) and the slope (1996) Alpine expansions. return to the map

24. The Sedum Garden is growing in sandy loam in full and filtered sun light. This plant group offers great variety in texture, color, and time of bloom, yet thrives on neglect and poor dry soil. (1997) return to the map