Stoney Ground

A former goat pasture with a ground cover of poison ivy and a path through oak woods to a winding stream intrigued garden designer Nan Sinton and her Midwest-based colleague David Michener. In 2015 Nan built a new farmhouse and barn in historic Russells Mills Village and the new garden began. The goats were the clue: this was not rich farmland but it was endowed with layers of stones that the glaciers left for New England farmers.

Now restored stone walls and a long border planted for pollinators connect a private courtyard of Mediterranean-inspired planting to the woods. A raised-bed vegetable and cutting garden, a dry-soils shrub collection, a young magnolia glade, and experiments with matrix planting using natives and complementary non-invasive plants create an intriguing mix of intentional plant combinations that are all connected along a path interweaving sun and shade. The walks through the native oak, beech, and holly woods to the rock bluff overlooking the Paskamansett River are being developed.

Open Days 2021: Saturday, July 24
Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.