Skatutakee Farm

Garden owner's description: My gardens surround Hancock’s first house, built in 1776 by the town clerk, Jonathan Bennett. Since it is a farmhouse, the plantings are informal and blend into surrounding woods and fields. On each side of the “front” door are raised beds reminiscent of colonial gardens. The real front door (never used) is flanked by plantings of old roses and lavender. Behind a 1970 wing is a 48-foot-long koi pond designed by landscape architect Diane McGuire and planted with lotus and water lilies. McGuire also laid out the perennial bed and woodland garden.

The AIA-award-winning screened porch was designed by Dan Scully. Sculptures in the terraced vegetable garden are by Noel Grenier. A pair of 200-year-old granite Korean rams graze on the back lawn. I have followed McGuire’s brilliant layout of the parallel borders but have deepened the perennial bed to make more room to “paint” with interesting annuals and perennials. In the woodland border witch hazel, azaleas, snakeroot and Rogersia blend into the woods. Walking between the borders from sun to shade, one comes to a new bog garden surrounded by marsh marigolds, skunk cabbage, and cardinal flowers. Last fall, in the field below the vegetable garden, I started a small pollinator garden. Very exciting!

GARDEN EXTRAS: Plant sale with issima nursery

Open Days 2021: Sunday, July 11
Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Also happening on this date:
DIGGING DEEPER program, July 11, 2021, 4:30 to 6 p.m.
50 Years in a Garden, a Constant Evolution, with Eleanor Briggs and issima Nursery
Registration for this Digging Deeper program includes admission to Skatutakee Farm.