User:Zipity11/Alternative Sandbox

Bedrock Gardens is a 20 acre garden located on a 35 acre property in Lee, New Hampshire, notable for its landscape design, its horticulture and its sculpture.

History
Named for its ever-present ledge, Bedrock Gardens was bought by its present owners in 1980, complete with its circa 1740 farm house, historic barn and three-holer outhouse. Over the next 20 years, it was extensively improved. The wooded areas were lumbered, a trail system was developed, and it was initially managed as a tree farm. A wildlife pond was built, and work started on its multiple perennial and shrub beds. Hardscape in the form of walls, paths, water features and topographical improvements, have been added. Today it is noted for its concept of "the garden as a journey," with a starting point, "events" (or garden spaces) as places to go, and something to do along the way.

Interest points
Bedrock Garden's main attractions fall into three categories: landscape design, horticulture, and art.



Landscape design
Bedrock Gardens include "garden beds full of unusual specimens of trees and shrubs: a diamond-patterned, 100-foot fence on which 11 varieties of apple trees have been espaliered: a formal garden with pools, fountains, and water features; a 1-acre wildlife pond with a bridge, and 2 miles of woodland trails." The smaller gardens include a more formal parterre, the spiritual "Spiral" garden, and the primitive "Dark Woods."

Horticulture
Many of the over one thousand different plant species are in perennial beds, arranged with attention to texture, color, and size. There are other collections, such as the dwarf conifer collection, and the rock garden. The Gardens are said to "have some of the most amazing plants and plantings I've seen in a private garden."

Art
Scattered throughout the 20 developed acres are small and large pieces of sculpture by several different artists. The larger pieces include two large arches, and a large Torii in the middle of a double allée. One of the artists, Jill Nooney, sometimes noted for her whimsey, has been called "the most imaginative and energetic force in modern American garden ornamentation." Many of her sculptures are from old agricultural tools.

Further details
While Bedrock Gardens is currently privately owned, it is open to the public four days during the year, or by private appointment. Active attempts are being made to turn it into a public garden.