On Thursday, June 30, explore three private gardens in Vineyard Haven and West Tisbury, open to the public through The Garden Conservancy’s Open Days program. Hours vary at each garden. Admission to each private garden is $5, Open Days are rain or shine, and no reservations are required. Call 1-888-842-2442, or visit www.opendaysprogram.org for more information.

At East Hill (133 Pasture Gate Road, Vineyard Haven; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.), Isabel Shattuck’s property on Lake Tashmoo features a welcoming moongate and split-rail fence draped with ‘New Dawn’ roses, hinting at the abundant blooms beyond. Lavenders, delphiniums, lilies, and additional roses are just some of the plants grown in the perennial garden, while stewartias, hollies, azaleas, and ferns highlight a woodland path. The Tashmoo Garden (253 West Spring Street, Vineyard Haven; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) was begun thirty-two years ago and has evolved to include specimen trees such as dawn redwoods, copper beech, and katsura, as well as a hillside of daylilies, a peony hedge, hydrangea and azalea collections, and a vegetable/cutting garden. At The Folly (57 Lamberts Cove Road, West Tisbury; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.), ivy-covered balustrades and finials, planted urns, and winding hedges evoke an Italian villa, while a color theme of blue, white, and green foster a cool and relaxed atmosphere. Parterres, groundcovers, ferns, and flowers combine with stonework, varied grades, and views of the Vineyard Sound beyond.

These Open Days gardens are featured in the 2011 Open Days Directory; a soft-cover book that includes detailed driving directions and vivid descriptions written by their owners. The directory includes garden listings in eighteen states and costs $21.95 including shipping. Visit www.opendaysprogram.org or call the Garden Conservancy toll-free at 1-888-842-2442 to order with a Visa, MasterCard or American Express, or send a check or money order to: the Garden Conservancy, P.O. Box 219, Cold Spring, NY 10516. Discount admission tickets are available as well through advanced mail order.

The 2011 Open Days program is generously sponsored by Fine Gardening magazine as its National Media Sponsor. Fine Gardening magazine brings you breathtaking design ideas, helpful techniques, and the know-how to get great results in your own garden.  Painting by Thaw Malin III entitled “West Shore, Tashmoo” available at www.thawmalinart.com.