Featured in The New York Times, Perennial Magazine, and Better Homes and Gardens, The Climbery is both a private garden and a not-for-profit foundation. Upon purchasing the property 30 years ago, Barbara Packer admired the one clematis in residence which became the inspiration for what is now the largest private clematis collection in the world. The seven-acre property overlooking the Roeliff Jansen Kill is a whimsical wonderland of garden sculptures, statuary and furnishings, intriguing planters and containers, nine pond gardens, and garden rooms accentuated by fanciful surprises.

Of special note are the gazebo and hosta gardens and the round, corner, hill, allée and greenhouse gardens, all developed one at a time to shape the landscape and provide a backdrop for garden art including a life-size horse and bull created from repurposed cans, and an eye-catching sculpture defined by circles welded to form an enormous ball. A July 27 visit to this garden is sure to be a summer highlight as we are joined by friends old and new for Berkshire Botanic Garden’s “Cocktails in Great Gardens.” $40. Register online at https://www.berkshirebotanical.org/events/cocktails-great-gardens-june-29-and-july-27