Garden Visit: Greenwood Gardens in Short Hills, NJ

Garden Visit: Greenwood Gardens in Short Hills, New Jersey

nn

Hidden within the heart of Short Hills, New Jersey, Greenwood Gardens is a remarkable 28-acre public garden that blends Arts and Crafts creativity, historic grandeur, and a profound connection to nature. Once a grand private estate, today it is an enchanting sanctuary where visitors are welcomed to explore terraced gardens, woodlands, meadows, architectural wonders, and serene water features. Greenwood’s lush grounds—rich with echoes of two distinct American families—now serve as both a horticultural haven and a testimony to passionate preservation.

nn

Historical Legacy: A Tale of Two Families

nn

The story of Greenwood Gardens is inseparable from the ambitions and aesthetics of its two founding families. It first began with Joseph P. Day, an ambitious real estate auctioneer who, like many New Yorkers in the early 20th century, sought out Short Hills as an escape from the city’s clamor. Day envisioned the property as a private pleasure garden, where his family could relax amid sweeping lawns, ornamental gardens, and stately architecture. Parties, croquet matches, and summer gatherings once animated the manicured vistas—a testament both to Day’s success and his appreciation for refined leisure.

nn

The property’s golden era waned during the Great Depression, and its extensive grounds—once managed by more than 100 staff—became burdensome to maintain. In 1949, Peter B. Blanchard Jr., an IBM lawyer, and his wife Adelaide Childs Frick Blanchard (descended from the notable New York Frick family), acquired the estate. The Blanchards transformed the main house into a modest Georgian Revival home (built in 1950), introduced evergreen formality to the landscape, and raised their family among these inspiring surroundings.

nn

n
• Joseph P. Day Era: Grand Beaux Arts gardens, elaborate architecture, social gatherings.

n

• Blanchard Family Period: Country house, evergreen plantings, intimate family focus.

n

nn

Becoming a Public Treasure: Transformation and Preservation

nn

The transition from private estate to public garden is central to the Greenwood story. By the start of the 21st century, the Blanchard heirs realized the estate’s unique value as an educational and horticultural resource. They partnered with the Garden Conservancy, embarking on an ambitious preservation project. The process involved extensive research, restoration of historical garden elements, updates to infrastructure for visitor access, and ecological revitalization.

nn

Key Milestones:

n

n
• 2002: Collaboration with the Garden Conservancy begins, launching Greenwood’s restoration as a public garden.

n

• Design Interventions: Widened entry roads, new forecourt and visitor services, reconstructed planting beds, and integration of original statuary and mature trees.

n

nn

By 2025, Greenwood welcomed thousands of annual visitors, offering self-guided tours, specialized programs, and serene respite amid 2,110 acres of surrounding preserved parkland.

nn

The Landscape: Arts & Crafts Enchantment and Natural Flourish

nn

Greenwood Gardens is a masterwork in landscape design—melding formal, Italianate terraces with wild meadows, rustic follies, water features, and ancient woodlands. The gardens retain the essence of their Arts & Crafts origins, creating an interface between human artistry and untamed nature.

nn

n
• Terraced Italianate Gardens: Stone walls, balustrades, and pools define sweeping lawns and create dramatic sightlines.

n

• Grottoes & Fountains: Whispering cascades and still reflecting pools add tranquility amid the lush plantings.

n

• Majestic Plane Tree Allées: Tree-lined paths offering cool shade and architectural structure.

n

• Meadows & Woodlands: Spaces for native wildflowers, birds, and quiet reflection.

n

• Arts & Crafts Follies: Summerhouses, pergolas, and rustic exedras evoke whimsical romance and invite discovery.

n

nn

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

nn

A Harmonious Plant Palette

n

The planting design at Greenwood Gardens draws from both the formal symmetry of Italianate tradition and the natural abundance of meadows and woodlands. It features an evolving mix of ornamental shrubs, perennial borders, heritage trees, evergreens, and native wildflowers:

n

n
• Stone-edged borders with boxwood, yew, and holly for structure.

n

• Perennial flowers in sunlit clearings: peonies, irises, daylilies, asters.

n

• Flowering dogwoods and magnolias framing architectural vantages.

n

• Meadows bursting with goldenrod, asters, and milkweed for pollinators.

n

• Woodland underplantings with ferns, hostas, and native wildflowers.

n

nn

Architectural Features: Legacy in Stone and Imagination

nn

Visiting Greenwood Gardens means traversing a landscape carefully choreographed with stone steps, ornate balustrades, antique statues, fountains, pergolas, and hidden grottos. These features date to the property’s early development, reflecting both Beaux Arts ambition and Arts & Crafts delight in handcraft and whimsy.

nn

n
• Entry Forecourt: Redesigned to welcome modern visitors, featuring antique terra-cotta lions and mature holly trees.

n

• Fountains and Pools: Provide cooling breezes and musical background to the gardens’ tranquil atmosphere.

n

• Rustic Summerhouses: Romantic structures offering shelter and views across the gardens.

n

• Exedras and Pergolas: Stone seating enclaves and shaded walkways echoing Arts & Crafts design philosophy.

n

nn

Preservation and Stewardship: Balancing Past and Present

nn

The stewardship of Greenwood Gardens involved a delicate balance: protecting the layered history of the gardens while updating infrastructure and horticultural practices for sustainability and public use. Key elements included:

n

n
• Restoration of Historic Features: Repairing and preserving original stonework, sculpture, and fountains.

n

• Ecological Revitalization: Introduced sustainable plantings, meadows, and pollinator-supportive habitats.

n

• Visitor Amenities: Accessible paths, visitor center, and educational signage enhance the modern experience while respecting historic context.

n

nn

The transformation into a public garden is ongoing, propelled by partnerships, generous donors, and dedicated staff who view the gardens as a living museum—both honoring the estate’s layered past and embracing the needs of new generations of visitors.

nn

Programs, Tours, and Visiting

nn

Greenwood Gardens offers a range of programs for garden lovers, students, families, and community members:

n

n
• Self-Guided Tours: Themed map guides help visitors uncover the estate’s stories at their own pace.

n

• Specialized Events: Workshops, musical performances, and art installations happen throughout the open season (May–November).

n

• Educational Programs: Lectures and hands-on classes in horticulture, landscape history, and nature appreciation.

n

• Conservation Initiatives: Opportunities to learn about native species restoration and sustainable practices.

n

nn

Seasonal Access:
nGreenwood Gardens is open to the public from early May through November, Fridays through Sundays, 10am to 5pm (last entry at 3:30pm), with free admission for members and children under 3.

nn

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

nn

Q: What is unique about Greenwood Gardens compared to other historic gardens in New Jersey?

n

A: Greenwood Gardens uniquely combines early 20th-century Arts & Crafts and Beaux Arts design, layered family history, and a transition from a private retreat to a public horticultural sanctuary.

nn

Q: What features are not to be missed during a visit?

n

A: Highlights include the Italianate terraced gardens, stone summerhouses and exedras, cascading fountains, plane tree allée, and tranquil meadows and woodlands teeming with native wildflowers.

nn

Q: Is the garden accessible to visitors with limited mobility?

n

A: Greenwood Gardens strives for accessibility, with improved paths and forecourt design, although some rustic and historic features may present challenges for wheelchairs in certain areas.

nn

Q: Can I bring children and what activities are available for families?

n

A: Children are warmly welcomed and can enjoy open lawns, shaded paths, and nature-based family programs designed to inspire curiosity and stewardship.

nn

Q: How can individuals support Greenwood Gardens?

n

A: By becoming a member, volunteering, participating in programs, or making a donation, individuals can help ensure the ongoing preservation, educational outreach, and ecological health of this treasured landscape.

nn

Visiting Information

n

n
• Location: Short Hills, New Jersey

n

• Open: Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays (May to November)

n

• Hours: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (last entry 3:30 p.m.)

n

• Website: greenwoodgardens.org

n

nn

In every season, Greenwood Gardens stands as an enduring invitation to find beauty, engage the senses, and reflect on the intertwined stories of history, horticulture, and nature’s resilience. Whether strolling beneath the shade of ancient plane trees, admiring architectural follies, or finding inspiration in a woodland meadow, visitors leave renewed—carrying forward the legacy of passion and stewardship at the heart of this extraordinary New Jersey landscape.

Author

Anjali Sayee

 

Anjali is an Associate Editor at StyleCraze with 7 years of experience specializing in hairstyles, hair care, and skin care. She has authored over 300 articles and offers expert advice on hair styling techniques, effective skin care routines, and tips for maintaining healthy hair and skin.

Read full bio of Anjali Sayee