The Compass Garden toward the south is a restored heirloom garden with a sitting area, while the Rock Garden to the east, a future addition to the property, will have a water feature and footbridge. Woodland wildflowers, an expanded collection of bluebell flowers, and a primary path highlight the East Side Garden.
An Arts and Crafts Garden adorns the north side of the property. The future Japanese Garden to the northwest will expand and enhance the current Japanese Garden, while the future Shade Garden will be accented by a small water element, sculpture, seating, and stone pathways. A council ring is planned for the area north of the Japanese Garden.
The South Lawn Garden to the west of the property’s main entrance, features multi-colored flowers appropriate for all seasons, stone pathways, a water feature, and lighting.
Among the other highlights of the gardens are a new public entry, which directs visitors to a formal plaza leading to the entrance to the manor; a grass patio; a theater walk with a widened walkway and additional plantings. The Great Lawn will offer long views of the landscape, a primary pathway, and a future pavilion. The Northern Buffer features an outdoor classroom and heirloom plants. The eight-foot wide primary paved pathway is accessible to the disabled.
The gardens boast a wide range of plantings and trees, many of which were specified by Jens Jensen, the property’s original landscape architect. There are many flowering crabs, redbud, hawthorne, and lilacs. Jensen also suggested violets, phlox, and other flowers. The property also features snowdrops, scilia, daffodils—all bulbs—as well as lilies of the valley and day lilies that bloom.
