THROUGH THE GATE: This garden at a residence on Drake’s Corner Road is among those to be open to the public on June 13 for the second annual Princeton Garden Tour. Pictured is the entrance to the backyard, through brick walls and a refurbished old iron gate.
By Anne Levin
Last spring, the Historical Society of Princeton (HSP) and Morven Museum and Garden decided to test the waters to see if people would be interested in exploring some local private gardens — seven, to be exact. The answer, they soon discovered, was a resounding yes.
That first Princeton Garden Tour sold out, prompting this year’s version, which is on Saturday, June 13 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., to offer more tickets than last year. The seven new gardens will be open to the public, rain or shine. From a green space behind a Spanish Colonial Revival home on Hawthorne Avenue to the lush plantings at an estate on Drakes Corner Road, the tour provides rare access to colorful spreads at their seasonal peak.
“Last year, people were giving us free advice, saying don’t have too many gardens on the tour because you’ll run out,” said the Historical Society’s Executive Director Elizabeth Monroe. “And it was such a success that this year, we’ve had offers of more gardens than we could use. So we’re already generating for next year.”
The gardens on this year’s tour can be explored in any order. All are new, except for those at Morven and the HSP, which were included last year and invite visitors to stroll them once again.
“Like we did last year, we’ve chosen gardens to show a diversity of creative approaches to landscaping, hardscaping, using native plantings, and sustainable gardening,” said Monroe. “For me, one of the highlights is the ability to see ‘urban’ gardens in the center of town that demonstrate ways people can work creatively in smaller spaces, mixing native plants with cultivars.”
Among them is “A Haven on Hawthorne,” a 1930 home with a combination of formal and lush plantings designed for a small city plot. “Changes in level, and intentional focal points featuring tuteurs [trainers], a sweet garden shed, and other focal elements create a sense of depth and richness,” reads a description.
There is “Boxwood Cottage,” which has five garden “rooms,” each with its own style and purpose. Birdbaths, birdhouses, feeders, lounging areas, and 18 species of boxwood are part of the design. The fifth largest American Elm tree in New Jersey sits in “A Secret Jewel Box Garden” behind a gate, where New Jersey native plants and non-invasive perennials are arranged in a traditional design.
“Grande Anima” is a backyard behind a circa 1924 house, taking its cue from formal European gardens while adapted to a more casual and contemporary home. “There are raised beds for both a cutting garden and kitchen garden constructed from repurposed granite curbing, a serene pool, English lead fountain, Italian bronze statue, and a magnificent pergola all interconnected by bluestone and pea gravel terraces and pathways,” reads the description.
A stately 1906 home on Boudinot Street sits on property once part of the Morven estate, and is surrounded by gardens designed and planted by its original owner, the Rev. Joseph H. Dulles of Princeton Theological Seminary. The current owners have revitalized the grounds while respecting tradition, adding a pool, spa, and dining entrance complemented by perennial borders, yew hedges, and slate walkways.
Landscape designer Ronni Hock will be on hand at an estate on Drakes Corner Road to answer questions about the outdoor living space she created at the site, starting in 2018. A pergola, pool, pool house, and greenhouse are part of the setting.
“Expansive perennial gardens of evergreens, redbuds, dogwoods, and crabapples (all intended to attract pollinators) surround, embellish, and soften each of these structures, enriching the family’s experience with all the transformative sights and smells that Mother Nature can provide,” reads the description.
The tour also takes visitors to the 1928 home designed by architect R. Brognard Okie on Olden Lane. The landscape was first designed by Thomas H. Sears and later modified by Abram Linwood Urban, and features native plantings, a small apple orchard, and a Colonial-style kitchen garden.
Some of the homeowners whose gardens are on the tour expressed concerns about the effects of severe weather over the past winter. “But people who go on the tour appreciate the fact that you can’t control the natural world,” said Monroe. “You have to adapt. This is not about perfection. This is about a creative journey.”
Admission is $55; or $100 including a pre-tour light breakfast at the HSP. Visit princetonhistory.org.