The Roberts Garden - Formerly the "Helen Gilbert Estate" Designed by Fletcher Steele

This lovingly restored Fletcher Steele garden is not to be missed! The Roberts Garden was formerly the Helen Gilbert Estate, designed by Fletcher Steele between 1953 and 1960. When Darrol and Amy Roberts acquired their property in 2004, it was like many of the great Milton properties whose full-time gardener had long gone: with upkeep long neglected, the garden designer's original vision had become obscured. Crumbling walls leaned on diseased Himalayan birch. Flowering trees, deciduous shrubs, roses, irises, and various groundcovers grew wild and unchecked. Nature reclaimed and reforested the sightlines, walkways, garden art, and vistas that renowned garden designer Fletcher Steele had crafted sixty years prior. It was not until the Roberts’ moved into the house that they uncovered Steele's hand in every aspect of the property's landscape design—from the front garden's brick walkway and distinctive Chippendale fence, to the placement of the Persephone statue at the back of the one-acre property as a focal point to capture the eye. Their four-year restoration recovered Steele's original vision while modifying it to work for a modern gardener-less, family.

"The garden...must be—in proportion and detail—private, comfortable in all seasons and well fitted to the use of its owner," said Steele.

The Roberts Garden showcases Steele at his best. The principal garden is private, layered, varied, and dramatic. Its complexity is surprising when compared to the relative simplicity of the front of the house. Multi-tiered terraces provide structural and horticultural interest at each turn, while inviting the visitor to venture deeper into the space. Designed to be seen from the house's living room, the Center Terrace provides a view into the back garden framed by birch, then 'Sunburst' locust, and a variety of surprising and unusual trees. The upper terrace is divided into rooms bordered by granite and brick Chinese-inspired walls, herringbone- patterned brick, and cobblestone walkways. The plantings are a mixture of original Fletcher plants, their younger replacements, and new additions. The garden is comprised of multiple gardens compressed into one, delivering vibrant and subtle colors, varied textures, compelling scents, and garden wildlife throughout the seasons—just as Fletcher intended.

"I want all my places to seem the homes of children and lovers. I want them to be comfortable and, if possible, slightly mysterious by day, with vistas and compositions appealing to the painter. I want them to be delirious in the moonlight. I believe that there is no beauty without ugliness and that it should not be otherwise. The chief vice in gardens is to be merely pretty." ~Fletcher Steele

Directions: From Route 128, take ramp right for Route 1 North/I-93 North toward Braintree/Boston 2.9 miles. At Exit 5B, take ramp right for Route 28 North toward Milton 0.3 mile. Keep straight onto Route 28/North Main Street, 3.1 miles. Keep straight onto Randolph Avenue 1.0 mile. Turn left onto School Street 0.1 mile. The last intersection is Randolph Avenue. If you reach Canton Avenue, you've gone too far. From the Wakefield Estate, depart Brush Hill Road toward Route 138/Blue Hill Avenue 128 feet. Turn right onto Route 138/Blue Hill Avenue 0.7 mile. Turn right onto Dollar Lane 456 feet. Turn left onto Canton Avenue. Pass Gulf in 1.3 miles. Keep left to stay on Canton Avenue 0.8 mile. Turn right onto School Street 384 feet. The last intersection is Canton Avenue. If you reach Randolph Avenue, you've gone too far.

Open Days 2018: June 9
Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Admission to this private garden is $7 for members and nonmembers without tickets purchased in advance.

Buy discounted admission tickets in advance! They can be used at most Open Days to make garden visiting easier.
Nonmembers get 6 visits for the price of 5 with advanced ticket book purchase.  
Members get 50% off ONLY by purchasing ticket books in advance.