Jean Sander’s Garden

Garden owner’s description: In 2002, my husband and I purchased the 1748 Benjamin Curtis House in Sandy Hook. Before the barren property could be addressed, the house needed major renovation. In 2006, many “stick” maples and tons of poor soil and rock were removed before we could begin the garden and woodland walk. It appears that no one ever gardened on the property. Several stone walls were constructed, one of which is 325 feet long. The garden consists of three rooms. Two gravel gardens are surrounded by boxwood hedges. One room is my “troughery” that houses eighteenth- and nineteenth-century stone watering troughs planted with alpines. The main room is surrounded by a Taxus hedge.

Although the garden is formal in design, the plantings have a cottage effect featuring old-fashioned roses, foxgloves, annual poppies, phlox, and dozens of other perennials. Both sides of the garden rooms are heavily planted with small trees, conifers, and shrubs. The woodland walk, overlooking the Pootatuck River and Lake Zoar, was replanted with approximately 25 native and ornamental trees. Many shrubs have been added as well as a small woodland garden.

Open Days 2021: Saturday, June 5
Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

REGISTRATION
Members $5 per person; General admission $10. Children 12 and under free.