Tower Hill Botanic Garden Distinctive Gardens

	Distinctive Gardens Trustees, horticulture staff and members have been working to develop and implement the Master Plan (or design) of the entire Botanic Garden. The project is scheduled for completion in 2040. Tower Hill's "Capital Campaign Phase IV" to fund the next phase of building the Master Plan is underway. *Learn more* TOWER HILL GARDEN TOPICS • Yankee Magazine chooses Tower Hill Best Public Garden • Download Birder’s Checklist birds sited at Tower Hill • See Tower Hill staff horticulturist Dawn Davies vegetable gardening tips in Worcester Living magazine • Download Horticulture Director Joann Vieira's Top Picks • *Read extended Leafy Information* on Early Apples Monthly images: Tower Hill's Features and Plant Profiles**	Tower Hill's Garden Map Visitor's guide to the garden Download here

E. Stanley and Alice M. Wright Entry Garden and Thomas Smith - W. Robert Mill Entry Court The Entry Garden is your portal to the Tower Hill experience. Here, you'll find information about the Worcester County Horticultural Society’s rich past and exciting future plans. Plants representative of Tower Hill’s diversity are attractively displayed. Interpretive signs explain the types of collections present and the planting philosophy.	Davenport Collection of Heirloom Apple Varieties in the Frank L. Harrington Sr. Orchard Flanking the entry drive, the Frank L. Harrington Sr. Orchard displays 238 trees of 119 pre-twentieth century, heirloom apple varieties. Apple tastings in the fall at Tower Hill's "Shades of Autumn" harvest celebration, offer visitors an opportunity to taste some of these rare and unusual varieties.
The Lawn Garden The Lawn Garden was the first part of the original Master Plan to be implemented. More than 350 species of trees and shrubs are represented, under-planted with thousands of spring bulbs and summer-blooming perennials. Fall brings dramatic colors of changing leaves, while the winter season allows the visitor to see exquisite examples of bark, berries, and woody textures.	The Secret Garden At the south end of the Lawn Garden, this garden is so named because it is hidden from view when entering the Lawn Garden. The Secret Garden features perennials chosen for their fragrance and delicate texture. From the softly elegant Lady’s Mantle (Alchemilla mollis), to the intoxicating perfume of honeysuckle (Lonicera x purpussii), this garden provides delight for all your senses.
The Cottage Garden Designed and planted before the development of the Master Plan, the Cottage Garden provides an intimate garden experience adjacent to the 18th century Farmhouse. It's a pleasing collection of popular, unusual perennials and annuals.	The Vegetable Garden An imaginative collection of unusual vegetables and annuals in a striking configuration. This garden offers the home grower an opportunity to expand their knowledge beyond the usual selections by studying the diverse variety of "economic horticulture" on display.
The Wildlife Garden Found in a protected area on the property below the main gardens, a *vernal pool*, a human-sized "birdhouse" viewing station, and native flora and fauna complete this intriguing space. Eight bird feeders are maintained year-round to attract the natural population of our feathered friends at Tower Hill. This garden is a birder's paradise.	The Wildlife Refuge Pond & Woodland Trails The half acre Wildlife Refuge Pond, along with 3 miles of woodland trails, provide ample opportunity for visitors to observe and contemplate the natural world. Both indigenous and exotic plant species are incorporated into this haven for wildlife, with plenty of benches to allow visitors a rest along the way. In winter, snow shoers and cross-country skiers are welcome.
The Systematic Garden The *Systematic Garden* is a one-of-a-kind educational experience where you'll discover plants arranged “systematically” or according to our current scientific understanding of their evolutionary relationships. Designed in an Italianate style, this garden presents twenty-six distinct plant families, making it a virtual encyclopedia of the Plant Kingdom.	The Inner Park This former 5-acre field is now a secondary woodland of mixed hardwood trees. Landscape parks of this type were popular during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, reflecting the romantic ideal of the Greco-Roman epoch. Classic revival style architectural features include the whimsical *Folly*, Pope Urn and the Temple of Peace.
The Moss Steps The *Moss* Steps are made of the sedimentary rock Castalia stone, “harvested” from farm fields that were once part of Lake Erie in Sandusky County, Ohio. A moisture-retaining calcareous (limestone based) stone, it is the perfect substrate for mosses. The area framing the steps has been planted with Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia), native wildflowers and ferns.	The Orangerie The *Orangerie*, an 18th century style greenhouse, provides a 4,000 square foot environment to outstanding plants for winter display. A gallery with a northern exposure features ferns. A potting shed, growing house and pit house support this structure as a four-season growing space. Tower Hill Botanic Garden has become a year-round horticultural center for the education and enjoyment of the visitor. Learn more.