Daily Archives: June 5, 2023

Beckett Castle Rose Garden is home to more than 70 varieties of heirloom roses perched above the crashing waves of Casco Bay on the rocky coast of Cape Elizabeth, Maine. The view from the garden gate of five lighthouses, including Portland Head Light, is nearly as dramatic as the 50-foot-high stone tower which serves as a rose arbor entrance to the historic castle. Built in 1871 by Portland native and renaissance man Sylvester Beckett, Beckett Castle is a neo-Gothic tribute to the nineteenth-century Spiritualism movement and began as a summer retreat for writers and artists. The gardener and rosarian Lynn Shafer began the rose garden more than 40 years ago with the previous steward of Beckett Castle, Nancy Brill Harvey. Today Beckett Castle is once again an artistic retreat as it is home to performing artists and educators Edwin and Matthew Cahill and their nonprofit regenerative arts movement, Hogfish. Under the continued guidance of Lynn Shafer, the Cahills plan to expand the garden into a regenerative arts and botany center. The Open Day at Beckett Castle Rose Garden will also include musical selections and performances among the roses by Hogfish artists in residence. www.hogfish.org

The Garden Conservancy Open Day at Beckett Castle will take place June 24 from 10 – 4. $5 for Conservancy members, $10 for the public, but advance registration is necessary at https://www.gardenconservancy.org/open-days/garden-directory/beckett-castle-rose-garden