Three enticing gardens open their gates to us for a late spring visit in the Sunapee Valley region of NH. Glenn Irick, landscape designer, leads our tour of “Happy Landings” a magnificent bucolic property surrounding an 1830s colonial style house, with sweeping pastoral views of wetlands, woodlands and Mt. Kearsarge. Eclectic gardens include foundation plantings, pool, and outer gardens with rhododendrons, mountain laurels, viburnums, dogwoods, spirea, clethra, and blueberry, to name a few. Large magnolias, an old craggy apple near the pool, and mature sugar maples at the original front door are all noteworthy specimens. Varietal diversity and spectacular views are strong factors on this lovely site.

The abundance of showy native woodland species naturally occurring at the Hewitt property in New London are the inspiration for this award-winning garden with its winding stone-lined paths and distinctive alpine habitats. At least 20 species listed as threatened, endangered or of special concern may be seen. A northeast-facing slope is home to a rockery with dwarf and miniature conifers, dwarf northern mountain rhododendron, 5 species of low-growing willows and other rock garden plants. All garden and field work is done exclusively by the owners. Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy on the property.

At John and Donna Ferrries' garden, extensive native plantings along the long wooded driveway connect to a cutting garden of 6 raised beds and a large shade garden with Actaea, Anemone nemorosa ‘Vindiflora’, Anemonella, Thalictroides, Dicentra, Disporum, Dodecatheon meadia, Jeffersonia, Polygonatum ‘Variegatum’, Tiarella, and Trillium. This leads to a small shade garden of dwarf perennials near the terrace before you encounter more native plants along the lakeshore. Each area is interspersed with several large, whimsical frog sculptures.