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BEDROCK GARDENS
Bedrock Gardens is a nonprofit public garden that integrates unusual botanical specimens and unique sculpture into an inspiring landscape journey. This 30-acre site has recently transitioned from a historic farm and private garden to a public oasis of horticulture, art, and inspiration.
Bedrock Gardens is a nonprofit public garden that integrates unusual botanical specimens and unique sculpture into an inspiring landscape journey. This 30-acre site has recently transitioned from a historic farm and private garden to a public oasis of horticulture, art, and inspiration.
- Jill Nooney has written a new book on the garden called "Bedrock: The Making of a Public Garden" . See a short fun promo trailer HERE. Details and ordering information HERE.
- For a very short, very cute TikTok we just made, click HERE.
- Other exciting things are happening: a new audio tour of the garden art (see more HERE), in addition to our new roster of education programs, our annual program with the Caterpillar Lab, and our ninth Fairy Hobbit House Festival (now in July for your convenience).
- Quick Links to Visiting, Membership, and Donate pages
See you in the garden!
Upcoming Events
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A Rare and Unusual Plant Sale and Summer Solstice Celebration, June 21
Shop these hard-to-find plants grown by specialty nurseries from across New England. 
NEW DATES! The 9th Annual Fairy and Hobbit House Festival, July 18, 19, 20
Bring your friends and family for some outdoor fun with a touch of magic. A three-day festival in our enchanted woodlands. Learn more and get tickets! 
Enter your design in our Fairy and Hobbit House House Competition!
CLICK HERE for more info and to register. |
An Oasis of Horticulture, Art and Inspiration
Plan Your Garden VisitJoin one of our daily tours or discover the gardens on your own. No reservation required.
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Educational ProgramsWhether you're young, old, or somewhere in between, we offer classes for all gardening levels.
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Become A MemberAnd enjoy the gardens, exclusive perks and show your support for Bedrock Gardens.
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What's In Bloom
You can click on each image to see the Latin name, and a description of each plant.
We are also working on a longitudinal look at what is in bloom through out the year on our new page: Blooms.
We are also working on a longitudinal look at what is in bloom through out the year on our new page: Blooms.
Peonies (miscellaneous)
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Ninebark
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Greater Burnet, Pink Burnet Saxifrage
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Rodgersia, Fingerleaf Rodgersia
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Jerusalem Sage, Tuberous Jerusalem Sage, Sage-leaf Mullein
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Purple Dragon
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Peonies (miscellaneous)
Peonies; Paeonia cultivars Among the highlights of the early summer garden are the gorgeous, large, and often highly fragrant blossoms of Peonies. Native to Asia, Europe, and a few to western North America, these perennials have been in cultivation for hundreds of years, particularly in China and Japan; ancient Chinese texts record ornamental peonies developed in the 6th and 7th centuries. Today there are hundreds of peony hybrids with blossom colors spanning the rainbow and variable blossom forms. The genus has roughly 35 species that fall into 3 general groups – herbaceous peonies (those that die back to the ground in cold), tree peonies (those that have woody stems and branches that persist in the cold), and intersectional or Itoh peonies (developed in the 1940’s by Toichi Itoh, a Japanese plantsman, by hybridizing herbaceous and tree peonies; which have characteristics of both parent types). Although peony flowers are relatively short-lived, their spectacular beauty, scent, large size, and abundance have made peonies favorites worldwide. At Bedrock Gardens, peonies are found in many areas, including the Ping (adjacent to the Allée (#6) garden), Spiral (#12), Funnel (#13), and Garish (#21) gardens. |
Ninebark
Ninebark; Physocarpus opulifolius “Coppertina” Originally native to hillsides and stream banks in eastern North America from NY to Florida, this ninebark hybrid is a deciduous shrub with attractively colored foliage and contrasting copious white or pink flower clusters in the early summer. Cultivars have been bred with leaf colors ranging from yellow to reddish purple. Its common name derives from its multi-colored peeling bark. Adaptable to a wide range of soil, moisture, and sun conditions, ninebark grows rapidly, achieving a size of up to 10’ high and 6’ wide, and has few pests. Its hardiness and contrasting foliage makes ninebark a great accent plant in any garden. At Bedrock Gardens, ninebark can be found in the Ping garden, adjacent to the Allée (#6) garden. |
Greater Burnet, Pink Burnet Saxifrage
Greater Burnet, Pink Burnet Saxifrage; Pimpinella major rosea Resembling a pink version of our more familiar Queen Anne’s Lace, to whom it is distantly related, greater burnet produces airy flat clusters of small pink flowers above lacy basal leaves and is native to clearings in Central Europe and the Caucus region. Greater burnet is also related to anise, another Pimpinella species, that is cultivated for its aromatic seeds. The roots of greater burnet have been traditionally been used as a remedy for respiratory illnesses. Tolerant of full sun to part shade, its flowers are attractive to bees and butterflies. At Bedrock Gardens, greater burnet can be found in the Funnel (#13) garden. |
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Rodgersia, Fingerleaf Rodgersia
Rodgersia, Fingerleaf Rodgersia; Rodgersia aesculifolia Native to Chinese damp woodlands and streambanks, rodgersia is a plant that makes its presence known. Grown in gardens for its bold palmate leaves (as much as 12” across), the plant can reach an impressive 3-5’ high and 3-5’ wide. The leaves resemble those of horsechestnuts (Aesculus) and inspired its species name. In early to mid-summer, rodgersia produces large creamy white plumes of fragrant flowers held above the hefty leaves, rather like Astilbe blooms on steroids. The genus name of Rodgersia honors Rear-Admiral John Rodgers, the commander of the Pacific naval expedition in 1852-1856 that reported the first species in the genus. Rodgersia prefers rich, moist to wet soils and sun to part-shade. In fall, it turns shades of red and bronze. An amazing accent plant, it can provide large-scale drama to the garden. At Bedrock Gardens, rodgersia can be found in the Swaleway (#14) garden. |
Jerusalem Sage, Tuberous Jerusalem Sage, Sage-leaf Mullein
Tuberous Jerusalem Sage, Sage-leaf Mullein; Phlomis tuberosa or Phlomoides tuberosa Jerusalem sage produces lavender pink/purple flowers in periodic clusters spaced along long straight stems in the early summer. This flowering pattern yields a wonderful architectural structure as an accent in the garden. Because the seed heads persist on the plant, this structure continues into the fall and winter. The seedheads can provide winter food for birds, while in the summer, the flowers attract bees and butterflies. Phlomis prefers fairly rich, well-drained soils in full sun and is native to Asia and central/southeastern Europe. At Bedrock Gardens, Jerusalem sage can be found in the Garish (#21) garden. |
Purple Dragon
Purple Dragon; Pinellia tripartita “Free Tibet” Native to forests, forest margins, and roadsides in Japan, Okinawa, Korea, and eastern China, the purple dragon is an Arum that bears a resemblance to our native Jack in the pulpit, a closely related cousin. It derives its memorable common name from the purple coloration of its tall (10”) whip-like spathe, a different shape than that of the Jack in the pulpit which has a wide spathe that flops down. The more common “green dragon” variety of Pinellia tripartita has a green rather than purple spathe. As in Jack in the pulpit, the leaves are 3-part (tripartite) and are reflected in the purple dragon’s species name. Pinellia prefers part-sun to shade and makes an interesting and striking addition to a woodland garden. At Bedrock Gardens, the purple dragon can be found at the Tea House (29) garden. |
Posted 2025-06-17
"...one of the most beautiful and intriguing
landscapes in New Hampshire."
- Boston Globe
landscapes in New Hampshire."
- Boston Globe