Perched above the waves in coastal New Hampshire sits Fuller Gardens, “one of the last working formal gardens of the early 20th century,” according to its website. Commissioned in the 1920s by Alvan Fuller, then-governor of Massachusetts, the garden is open to the public. It boasts a colonial revival-style rose garden along with a tropical conservatory, Japanese garden, dahlia display, and formal perennial garden. Fuller Gardens is a treasure trove of horticultural charm and gardening inspiration, perfect for an afternoon garden tour.
Our Visit
The Rose Garden
We visited on a bright, warm August afternoon. Our garden tour started with the formal rose garden and we were immediately captivated! We spent searching for the perfect combinations of color and scent. Deep reds, pure whites, blousy pinks, and sweet apricot hues filled the garden. It’s a good idea to not only to photograph your favorite blooms but also their names. That way you can compile a list for your next trip to the garden center.
The Conservatory:
After working our way through the Rose Garden, we visited the conservatory. It was packed with so many wonderful cacti and succulents, along with the biggest rubber plant I think I’ve ever seen. I wish I had more than a small windowsill for my cacti at home. Maybe I still can find other ways of cultivating some more specimens!
Dahlia Display:
The dahlias were a personal favorite of mine. Arranged in a long narrow bed with repeating colors and forms, the dahlia display was in peak bloom. I got a lot of ideas for planting and colors for my own dahlias! There were some striking examples with two-toned petals, in oranges, purples, and pinky peaches.
Peaceful Japanese Garden:
The Japanese garden was forest-inspired space. There was a koi pond and compact rhododendrons nestled within a wall of arborvitae. The space was cool and peaceful. It reminded me of walks through the woods. I would like to create something like this in the wooden area of our property.
Formal Perennial Garden
And finally there was the formal garden, with closely clipped paths, evergreen hedges and walls, with more roses dotted throughout. Stepping from the forest garden down into the formal area transports you to a different time and place and feel, showing the how plants and landscaping can communicate with us, much the same as the furnishings inside our homes. Even though the gardens are nestled in among other properties, I felt like I was in my own world.
Explore Your Local Gardens
A garden tour is a great way to get fresh ideas, to see different ways of using plants or to find that perfectly scented rose . It reminded me that gardens are meant to be enjoyed as much, if not more, than to be tended and maintained. I definitely saw my own garden in a different light. I came to better appreciate the sights, scents and feel, seeing through the eyes of visitor, full of wonder, not just its caretaker.
So, I encourage you to find the local gardens near you to visit. And definitely seek them out at different times during the year as well, so you can see how they evolve with the seasons. It’s a great way to support the preservation of green spaces for everyone, and to come away with some inspiration for your own spaces, too.
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