Rock and Water Garden
The Rock Garden was one of Bessie McKee’s favorite places on the property. Early pictures indicate a stone-strewn garden in full sun while later pictures show a woodland wildflower garden with rock paths winding around large shrubs, and under shady trees. Because the garden is becoming more and more vulnerable to high storm tides and heavy-rainfall flooding, the plants have had to prove their ability to survive a range of extreme conditions including baking summer sun, salt, and wet feet in winter.
The Water Garden is the lowest point on the property. The pond was dug out of brackish marshland and is rain, rather than spring, fed. The pond provides habitat for thousands of tadpoles and frogs, fish, dragonflies and waterbugs. Whenever the pond dries during a dry summer, frogs wait out the drought tucked in the ground. The garden is planted with trees such as golden willow, cottonwood, and Japanese maples; and shrubs such as button bush, winterberry and blueberry that thrive in moist soil.
View Rock Garden on Pinterest-
Wednesday, May 15
- Wednesday, June 19
Introduction to Watercolor -
Thursday, May 23
Tree Mob at the Arnold Arboretum -
Saturday, May 25
Behind the Scenes Tour
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Marjorie’s dove tree turns 40
(May 16, '13)
It’s a lucky visitor whose gaze turns east along the path between the mansion and the Enclosed Garden, instead of west across the blooming North Garden and Great Lawn to Narragansett Bay. The western view is a compelling one to be sure and even I am caught up short by it every time I walk ... -
The Costume Collection
(Jan 07, '13)
Many of you already know about the fabulous collection of gowns and accessories belonging to Bessie Van Wickle McKee that came home to Blithewold last year. Forty-one dresses with accessories, coats, and hats, had been given to the Colonial Dames … Continue reading
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