The Garden Conservancy’s Open Day on the South Shore will take place Saturday, June 18 from 10 – 4 (except for Eisehnauer’s Rose Garden, open from noon – 6) at four exquisite gardens in Scituate, Cohasset, and Hull. Please observe these new procedures and help us ensure a safe, contactless, and seamless garden experience for all visitors as well as our generous garden hosts:

• Pre-registration is REQUIRED for each garden. Pre-register for each HERE, except where specifically indicated otherwise. Children under 12 are free and do not need to be pre-registered if accompanied by pre-registered adult. Each garden admission is $5 (members) and $10 (general admission)
• Capacity is limited. Sorry, no walk-ins allowed; no paper tickets or cash payments will be accepted on-site.
• Masks are required, at the discretion of the garden owners, and social distancing is encouraged at all in-person events.

The Matisse Garden is inspired by the art of Henri Matisse, from the goldfish pond with its concentric circles of pathway and adjoining round patio, to the serpentining boxwood hedges and colorful swaths of blooming perennials. Even the labyrinth walk is an echo of his cut-outs titled ‘Blue Nude’, with a meandering pathway in the shape of a woman’s form, surrounded by waves of blue catmint. The custom built black pergola bench not only offers an architectural backdrop to the pond and a relaxing place to recline and meditate on the swimming fish, it also casts wonderful shadows across the yard as the sun moves across the sky. Blooms of bold pink, blue and yellow suggest the bright colors of the Mediterranean landscape, with lush textural grasses and large leaves adding to the sensuality of the space.

Eisenhauer’s Rose Garden Approximately one acre of gardens on the historic Commons of Cohasset. The owners pride and joy is a rose parterre replicating a seventeenth century Elizabethan (UK) Pleasuance Garden, showcasing 50+ floribunda roses, ornamental herbs and classical features such as obelisks, pillars. The Parterre attempts to match the period of the garden with the early 1800’s American colonial house. Please note this garden is open from noon – 6.

In the Modern Asian Garden, pictured below, Asian meets Modern on the coastal cliffs of Hull, Massachusetts. Naturalistic stone steps guide the visitor from the driveway, up the sloped front yard, between pine trees and woodland ground covers, up to a grouping of three sculptural boulders in a sea of pea stone, where a gentle bubbler of water arises mysteriously. A blue stone patio, near the house, offers seating where dramatic shadows from the tall boulders and pine trees create a dance. A louvered partition of granite posts frame an organic themed metal gate, creating a striking courtyard space surrounded by lush evergreens and winding paths. Pitch pines, artistically shaped by the Atlantic winds, flow through the garden, with masses of Japanese Forest Grass at its feet. The house sits atop a 100′ high cliff, with stunning ocean views from the back deck. The entire landscape design was inspired by a fine art photograph in the home owners’ collection, which sits on the living room’s fireplace mantle. The sinuous human form would see itself reflected in every aspect of the garden, if it every came to life!

The Jones Garden in Scituate is not designed, just put together with a love of the outdoors, especially birds, butterflies and native plants. It was started from scratch in 2007- a tangled mess of brambles and grapes, privet and Japanese honeysuckle. The property slopes downhill to the SW. It is well drained and full of boulders, small & large (like the local beaches). The front garden is sunny and very well drained. Asclepias tuberosa, penstemons, lavender, monarda (punctata and fistulosa), and dwarf evergreens all grow well. In the back is a small fountain and, where not designated wetland, rhododendrons, veronicastrum, milkweed (syriaca and incarnata), heuchera, pycnanthemums – too long a list to include here (Plant lists will be available). Trees have also been planted: liriodendron, stewartia, magnolia, nyssa, carpinus, birch, Abies (koreana & fargesii) to name a few.; and there is a small vegetable garden.