The Hidden Gardens of Beacon Hill tour in Boston is next week, May 16. http://www.beaconhillgardenclub.org/tour.html I haven't been in over 30 years (!), but it's tempting.

Bedrock Gardens in NH has several open houses: May 18, June 15, July 20, Aug. 17, Sept. 21. http://bedrockgardens.org/

I stopped by the Cotton-Arbo Retum in Winchester, MA this weekend, it was beautiful, and open most of the time. http://www.cottonarboretum.com/

Thought I'd pop this up since this weekend there are several open gardens from the Garden Conservancy in CT and MA, plus Bedrock Gardens in NH has an open house.

(Just in case someone looking for some inspiration.)

BostonGardens has LOTS of events on her web site, http://www.bostongardens.com/. I know we don't like to have to do that one extra click, but running a site like that takes a bit of work, and this is how we contribute - by visiting her site.

I notice that she's got events listed on the Cape as well as the Boston area - that's great for me since I hate going over the bridge after about May 1.

Here is a link that might be useful: BostonGardens

This isn't a tour, but the annual Woods Hole plant sale is this Saturday. Over the years I've gotten some really nice things there, like my first Styrax japonicus and some very unusual perennials. You just never know what will pop up at this sale, because there are a lot of OLD gardens in the area (old gardeners, too).

I have to admit I've gotten some things I regret - like canadian anemone, which just won't quit spreading. Sadly, I recall that it was labeled as 'may be invasive' - and I ignored that warning since it looked so innocent.

Here is a link that might be useful: Woods Hole Plant Sale

DTD, I spent about 6 hours trying to get Canadian anemone under control in a small bed of mine. Planted ONE little plant years ago. Probably my biggest garden regret. And it was so cute.....the little brute!!!

The Gardener's Fair at Mass Hort is this Sunday from 9-3. Located at Elm Bank in Wellesley (900 Washington St.), there will be plant sales by regional plant societies, other vendors and tomatoes along with other plants from White Flower Farm. And of course there are the display gardens at Elm Bank including a children's garden, the Bressingham Garden, a formal Italian Garden, Trial Gardens, a Daylily Garden, an Herb Garden and a Rhododendron garden. I'll be at the MG Information booth. Stop by and say hello.

Steve

The Garden Conservancy has several open gardens in CT and NY this coming weekend, and Bedrock Gardens in SE NH (Lee) is open on Saturday, 6/15.

This weekend, July 13 and/or July 14, Open Gardens:
New London County, CT
Tolland County, CT
Bristol County, MA
Merrimack Valley, NH
Ulster County, NY
Suffolk County, NY

Next weekend, July 20 and/or July 21, Open Gardens:
New Haven County, CT
Hartford County, CT
Litchfield County, CT
Worcester Area, MA
Equinox Valley, VT
Putnam County, NY

Bedrock Gardens in Lee, NH, July 20.

Here is a link that might be useful: Garden Conservancy Open Gardens

Too late for today but I visited the Chichester NH garden on Gavin Hill yesterday. My husband enjoyed seeing the buildings. The early 1800s brick home was originally a hotel. Kitchen garden was enclosed by a wonderful tall hedge (owner has been gardening for 30 years) with a gorgeous climbing hydrangea covered entrance. Deep perennial bed. Wonderful views. Nice beds lining the final part of the driveway. etc.

The owner said the garden is also on the Chichester garden tour which will be held 7/20, rain date 7/21.

The Lane Garden in Canterbury is wonderful with strong Japanese influence, exposed ledges and lots of granite. It might be on the local garden tour which is how I saw it the first time. The owner gives a guided tour.

Fortnam gardens is an extreme garden with lots of tropical on a fairly typical small suburban lot. The owner is a wonderful artist and photographer as well. The water feature alone is fantastic plus I love her garden accents. I think she has over 300 pots planted in addition to her landscape. Not much lawn left. She now has to use space in a commercial greenhouse to winter over plants. Used to just use her basement. I'm not sure if she posts on the perennial forum anymore. Stunning would be an apt word for her garden.

I went to the Chichester garden last year and the Lane garden the year before. This year T2D and I went to the Fortnam garden. I really enjoyed the way she mixed non hardy perennials with hardy perennials. Her collection of pots numbered in the hundreds, though not all of them are over wintered. The site had an amazing amount of privacy for being in a subdivision.

I would definitely recommend any of those gardens for a visit in future years. I'll post a few photos later in the week when I have time.