Garden Conservancy Open Days: New London County Gardens Tour

Discover two extraordinary private gardens during the Garden Conservancy’s Open Days program on June 28, 2026. This special one-day event offers garden enthusiasts a rare opportunity to explore distinctive landscapes in New London County and experience the creativity, craftsmanship, and dedication that shape these unique outdoor spaces.

Featured on the tour is Bankside in Mystic, a riverside garden that showcases a thoughtful blend of beauty and sustainability. This compact yet vibrant landscape includes a vegetable garden, composting area, flowering lawn, and a peaceful reading nook. Designed with a focus on New England native and keystone plants, the garden highlights efforts to restore ecological balance by replacing invasive species with beneficial plantings.

Visitors can also explore Kentford Farm in Stonington, a historic six-acre property featuring winding pathways lined with weeping cherry trees, Norway spruce, copper beech, Franklinia trees, and other notable plantings. Distinctive features include a walk-in root cellar and a picturesque koi pond, creating a tranquil setting that blends horticulture with history.

The gardens will be open to registered guests from 10 am to 4 pm. Admission is $10 per person or $5 for Garden Conservancy members. Children ages 12 and under are admitted free when accompanied by a parent or guardian. Advance online registration is required, and pets are not permitted.

The Garden Conservancy’s Open Days program is the only nationwide garden-visiting program of its kind, providing access to exceptional private gardens and inspiring a deeper appreciation for horticulture, landscape design, and conservation.

For registration and additional information, visit gardenconservancy.org/opendays.