Garden Conservancy Open Days: Southern Connecticut Gardens Tour

Discover three extraordinary private gardens during the Garden Conservancy’s Open Days program on July 11, 2026. This one-day event invites visitors to explore distinctive landscapes in Middlesex and New Haven counties while gaining insight into the creativity, craftsmanship, and dedication of the gardeners who designed them.

Featured gardens include Heron’s Roost Garden in Essex, a peaceful landscape showcasing native North American plants, a multi-tiered native bee house, and an innovative rain barrel daisy chain that supports biodiversity and sustainable gardening. In Killingworth, Wood Thrush Garden spans nine acres and features nearly 800 species of native plants selected to support insects, birds, and other wildlife through a strong focus on ecological diversity. Visitors can also tour Stone Blossom Garden in North Haven, where formal design elements blend with naturalistic plantings, including bluestone raised beds, espaliered apple and pear trees, and vibrant flowers that attract bees, butterflies, and birds.

In addition to the self-guided garden visits, participants may register for the special Digging Deeper program, Take a Walk on the Wild Side: Tour a Pollinator Meadow, from noon to 2 pm. This guided experience explores pollinator habitat creation, site preparation, invasive plant management, and long-term maintenance while offering an up-close look at a thriving meadow ecosystem. Tickets for the Digging Deeper program are $40 per person or $30 for Garden Conservancy members.

The featured gardens are open from 10 am to 4 pm for registered guests. Admission is $10 per person or $5 for Garden Conservancy members, while 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.

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