The Garden Conservancy announces Nantucket Open Day on Thursday, July 12 from 10 – 4. Admission to each garden is $7 for members and nonmembers without tickets purchased in advance.
A must – visit is Blueberry Hill. An oak forest and tupelo grove protect the house and garden from ocean winds. The naturalistic landscape, designed by Lucinda Young, contrasts with rolling serene meadow views of West Polpis Harbor. An enclosed garden, set in a small building envelope on a conservation restriction, consists of heaths, heathers, and a crabapple espalier. A hidden garden contains a flower and shade garden. Chickens roam the property. At the request of the Garden Host, directions to this garden are provided at additional gardens open on this date, or by calling the Garden Conservancy office toll-free weekdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST, 1-888-842-2442.
The Garden at 7 Pocomo is located, naturally, at 7 Pocomo Road. A cottage resting atop a knoll surrounded by Nantucket’s natural beauty, the land itself is a tapestry of undisturbed native plants. Interwoven grass paths connect a series of protected rooms. The garden was created to bring joy to many generations of family. There are cutting and vegetable gardens to supply the house and friends all summer, as well as a flock of chickens! The cutting garden focuses on the color palette of summer, and the vegetable garden is chockfull of reliable food all summer long. This property is sure to be a treat for novice and experienced gardeners.
The gardens belonging to Gale H. Arnold at 110 Wauwinet Road are reflective of its place in time, architecture, and utility. Tree, shrub, and perennial plantings are integrated into the natural landscape. Walkways and lawn space allow for free movement throughout and provide a clear view of the inner harbor and sunset. A collection of scented plants and fruit grow inside the 18th-century-style glass house. An enormous native oak, typical of Wauwinet, dominates the back of the Queen Anne-style residence.
House in the Woods is a naturalistic landscape design. The property wraps around a large wetland, which has determined the aesthetic of the landscape, embracing native meadows, pollinator gardens, pool gardens, and native groundcovers. The connecting property emphasizes edibles in extensive vegetable gardens with wonderful woodwork and stonework details throughout.
At the request of the Garden Host, directions to this garden are provided at additional gardens open on this date, or by calling the Garden Conservancy office toll-free weekdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST, 1-888-842-2442.
Finally, all PBS fans will want to see the Morash Victory Garden at 41 Shawkemo Road. The Morash Victory Garden has expanded several times during the past thirty years. Today, polypropylene deer fencing protects twenty earthen raised beds that were built on native sandy soils amended generously with local and site-made compost. Benefiting from such strategies as winter cover cropping, grass mulching, plastic sheeting, and clean cultivation, the garden grows the usual suspects found in most backyard vegetable gardens. Potatoes and pumpkins, tomatoes, and cut flowers are important crops. Sufficient water, abundant sunshine, and a hardworking homemade greenhouse, together with countless happy hours from an old gardener, are some of the secret weapons to be found in this vegetable and flower display.
