Tower Hill Botanic Garden

Tower Hill Botanic Garden has a core value to promote the art and science of horticulture. Based on that, there are 17 distinct gardens that house the most exquisite plants from around the world.

The Apple Orchard:
The orchard is famously known as The Frank L. Harrington, Sr. Orchard. It has over 238 trees which are of 119 different varieties. These varieties are pre-20th century and what makes them unique is that they have been developed over years through grafting technique.

The Cottage Garden:
As the name suggests, it is a very cosy garden and is an inspiration for many gardening enthusiasts. This was the first one to be developed at Tower Hill Botanic Garden and houses various perennials and annual plants, shrubs, herbs, and also ornamental grasses. It also has some native plants. The overall layout of the garden is designed by focussing on colour combinations, patterns, and plant structures.

The Entry Garden:
It is the first garden that one sees upon arrival. It serves the purpose of introducing the visitors about the history of the garden, the Worcester County Horticultural Society, and of the Tower Hill property as well. It has various ornamental as well as edible plants.

The Field of Daffodils:
What a sight it must be to witness over 25,000 daffodils in bloom. This is one the major attractions of Tower Hill Botanic Gardens. The daffodils bloom in Spring and hence it is best to visit it in the months of April and May.

The Inner Park:
Its architecture is based on the Classical Revival style and is also known as The Palmer W. Bigelow, Jr. Inner Park. The Inner Park is dedicated to the North American flora and has many hardwood trees too. The Temple of Peace, the Pope Urn, and the statuary are some features that reminds one of the Greco Roman landscape parks.

The Lawn Garden:
This part of the Tower Hill Botanic Garden has more than 350 species of shrubs and trees. Whatever is the season, it is a sight to behold at all times. The woody texture of the winters with berries and barks, spring bulbs, summer peonies, and fall colours are all worth a watch.

The Limonaia:
Also known as the Lemon House, it is a relatively new addition to the Tower Hill Botanic Garden. Its cathedral style architecture has non hardy plants that require controlled sunlight and ambient temperatures. Lemonaia has various flowering and fruit plants.

Pliny’s Allée:
Pliny’s Allée is basically a beautiful row of oak trees with shrubs like oak leaf hydrangea, fothergilla, native Witch hazel, and Virginia sweetspire surrounding the trees. It also has architectures like an ancient stone wellhead at terminus called Pliny’s fountain that makes one stop and wonder.

The Shade Garden:
The characteristic feature of this garden is the Moss Steps. These Castalia stone steps have moisture retaining properties and hence the thriving moss. The surrounding area with wildflowers and ferns gives it an eerily serene look.

The Systematic Garden:
As is evident from the name, the garden is designed and arranged systematically for educational purpose. Its 26 varieties arranged in Italiante style serve as a live encyclopaedia for students and researchers.

The Orangerie:
The Marjorie Doyle Rockwell Orangerie is covered with glass roof and is ideal for winter plants. The fragrance indoors is enchanting and it is best from October to May when it blooms to full.

The Vegetable Garden:
This garden consists of vegetables, flowers, and herbs and promotes sustainable gardening. Each year’s crop is grown organically and the details are available at the garden. One can learn and grow the crop at home. The harvest is left as long as possible in the garden as it serves educational purpose. However, some of it is harvested and donated to a local food bank.

The Secret Garden:
This garden is hidden from the common view and is tucked in the Lawn Garden’s lowest level. It is dominated by fragrant and low maintenance plants and also has a pool and fountain with aquatic plants.

The Winter Garden:
This garden is covered on three sides to maintain the temperature needed for winter plants like berries and exquisite barks. The Domitian’s Pool is picturesque and is heated in winters to maintain the fountains running in winters too. The Eastern Box Turtle shaped bronze fountains are fun to watch.

The Wildlife Refuge Pond:
The Hope Spear Wildlife Refuge Pond is a place for amphibians and fishes. It is covered in native shrubs and one can view the animals, birds, and fishes frolicking around the pond.

The Wildlife Garden:
This garden is spread across two acres and is a home to red maple, white pine, arrowwood viburnum, and osmunda fern, among others. It also has a birdwatching spot for people to enjoy the nature at its rawest form.

The Court - A Garden Within Reach:
This is like a common area with natural beauty for people of all ages to gather and learn. It was made for educational and community exchange purpose and has been fulfilling that pretty well.