151 Brookdale Road, Stamford Ct. 06903-4199. (203) 322-6971
91 acres
Barlett Arboretum and Gardens collections were started by the founder of the Bartlett Tree Company.
Gardens include perennials, conifers, red maple woodland and wetland, nut trees, trial gardens, etc.
Wednesdays free admission, open to public since 1966. Non-profit, 501(c)(3).
Handicap Accessible. Garden Tours. Educational classes, Memberships. Parking. Indoor/Outdoor. Year-Round.
270 Mohegan Avenue, New London, CT. 06320 (860) 430-5020
100 acres
The Arboretum is located both within the campus grounds and adjacent to the developed portion of the campus. The Natural Area is located west of the campus and the Carolyn Black Garden is located just easterly of the Main Entrance to the Campus.
Handicap Accessible. Garden Tours. Memberships. Parking. Outdoor. Year-round.
1555 Asylum Avenue, West Hartford, Ct. 06137-0361 (860) 231-9440
102 acres
Elizabeth Park is located near Prospect and Asylum Avenues. It is one of the most famous and oldest municipal rose gardens in the United States. As with many gardens it began as part of an estate for a wealthy industrialist (Charles M. Pond) who accumulated wealth prior to the establishment of Federal income taxes. It is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The park covers some 102 acres and is located west of Connecticut's state capitol city. It's greatest claim to fame are the roses with hundreds of varieties which reach their peak bloom in June, but one may find a blossom lasting even through the fall and into December.
The park has an active group of gardeners and supporters with varied horticultural interests. There are greenhouses, well maintained open lawns, a picnic grove, pathways through a magnificent collection of native and exotic trees and a pond.
There are several different types of display gardens grown throughout the park including an annuals garden, herb garden, perennial garden and rock garden.
The collection of trees include those native to the United States, Europe, Japan, China, Norway and several that are hybridized. The grounds are easy to walk and parking and restrooms are nearby. Throughout the year educational programs, tours and events take place. So bring a picnic lunch and spend at least two leisurely hours visiting. Free admission, but donations accepted.
Free. Handicap Accessible. Garden Tours. Memberships. Parking. Children Programs. Indoor/Outdoor. Year-Round.
67 River Road, East Haddam, CT. 06423 (860)-526-2336
184 acres
Gillette's Castle is open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Memorial Day Weekend through Columbus Day. The State Park itself is open daily from 8 a.m. to dusk. Park staff give a short talk about the history of the Castle, Mr. Gillette, and the park. One can take a self-guided tour throughout the castle, with photos and memorabilia embellishing the experience. The grounds have walking trails, vestiges of the trestles and tracks from Mr. GilletteÕs miniature railroad system, and commanding views of the picturesque Connecticut River.
Visitor Center, restrooms, gift shop, most features handicapped accessible, parking, picnic tables available. Trail maps. CT State Parks 860 424-3200
Limited Handicap Accessible. Memberships. Parking. Limited Gift Shop and food concessionaire in season. Year-Round.
Harkness Memorial State Park and Gardens
275 Great Neck Road Waterford, CT 06385 (860) 443-5725
230 acres
Harkness Memorial State Park features Connecticut's own "newport cottage" built along the shores of Long Island Sound. After a fire destroyed the first home, the owners rebuilt the mansion using concrete for fire safety. Stately trees, well maintained gardens, sweeping lawns. State park since 1952.
Handicap Accessible. Garden Tours. Memberships. Parking. Mansion tours, open for tours weekends and holidays from Memorial Day until Labor Day: 10 am to 2 pm. Beach Gift Shops. Picniking and Fishing. Indoor/Outdoor. Year-Round.
89 Chichester Rd, New Canaan CT. 06840
2.7 acres
Set in a woodland setting in the valleys of New Canaan, the Lee Memorial Garden is an unexpected little gem. The best time of year is mid May to visit its collection of azaleas and rhododendrons. Early spring ephemeral are also a delight. Narrow meandering paths, lined with ferns, herbaceous plants,and towering trees, providing a cool summertime walk.
Sixty three years ago, the 2.7 acre garden was developed by George S. Lee, Jr. to create a Òpeaceful place where plants can reveal their characteristic beauty in a natural setting.Ó Set aside a couple of hours to fully soak in the delights and surprises of this verdant oasis.
Garden Tours. Memberships. Parking. Free admission. No restrooms or facilities. Not handicapped accessible. Year-Round.
P.O. Box 1081 Litchfield, CT 06759 (860) 567-5694
500 acres
Topsmead State Park is a former estate of Mrs. Edith Morton Chase of Waterbury, Connecticut who created a Tudor style cottage with gardens, amidst the woodlands of Litchfield. The house was completed in 1925.
Numerous trails. Free Parking. Outdoor. Cottage Tours. Birding. Hiking, Cross-country skiing, Picniking. Open Year-Round.
University of Connecticut Storrs Campus
1376 Storrs Road, Storrs,Ct. 06269 (860) 486-3336
100 acre campus
The University of Connecticut's main campus at Storrs, Connecticut displays a wide range of tree, shrub, perennial, tropical and annual specimens.
Through use of a new guide developed as a Campus Tree Touring Guide, one can observe both native and exotic plants; both on the grounds and within the Universities research and educational greenhouses and conservatories.
Handicap Accessible. Self guided garden Tours. Parking. Indoor/Outdoor. Year-Round.
167 Litchfield Road, Morris, Ct. 06763 (800) 503-9624
5 Acres
White Flower Farm is a retail horticultural establishment, but their display gardens are open year round and accessible to the public for visiting. Well labeled perennial, shrub and greenhouse gardens.
Handicap Accessible. Garden Tours. Parking. Garden Store. Indoor/Outdoor. Year-Round.
80 Whitehall Road Litchfield, CT. 06759 (860) 567-0857
4000 acres
For a natural garden visit, one can enjoy more than 35 miles of trails, through varied terrains, are open year-round for hiking, biking,
cross-country skiing and horseback riding. There are interpretive nature trails and a boardwalk trail for observing the extensive bird life
found in a wetland environment.
Fully Handicap Accessible. Memberships. Parking. Children Programs. Nature Store/Gift Shop. Indoor/Outdoor. Year-Round.