For the inaugural post in the “Garden Series” at Backyard Road Trips, we are heading to the coast of Connecticut. First, we will visit an old faithful, Harkness Memorial State Park in Waterford, and then swing back through New London, located right next door, to go to the Connecticut College Arboretum. These Connecticut gardens will not disappoint!
Harkness Memorial State Park
The whole Harkness experience will be detailed in another post, so today the focus is on the gardens. The elaborate gardens of the Harkness estate center around the Eolia Mansion. Gardens almost encapsulate the mansion. From spring through fall there is always beauty to behold at the gardens in Harkness.
Accented by statuary in a fountain, a Buddha or lions, secrets abound in these gardens. The paths meander to and fro snaking around. Although not excessive, it is deceivingly easy to get lost among the flowers. With stone archways and steps, it harkens back to a grander time.
Pause for a moment under the pergola to breathe in a view of the garden and seascape beyond. On the eastern side of the mansion, pause for tranquil meditation at the zen-like quality of the landscape.
Near the mansion, but easily missed, is another elaborate garden next to the former carriage house. (Granted this carriage house is larger than most homes!) In addition to beautifully manicured gardens and shrubbery, Harkness has a beach, picnic areas, and an amphitheater. Take the time to enjoy it all.
Harkness State Park is located at 275 Great Neck Road in Waterford, CT.
Connecticut College Arboretum
We are off to the second of the Connecticut gardens. Just up the road a bit in New London is the Connecticut College Arboretum. Whereas Harkness is often written up in publications, the Conn College Arboretum is often overlooked. The entrance to it is located behind the main Connecticut College campus at 270 Mohegan Avenue. It is free to enter, unlike Harkness which charges in season.
Looking toward the steps you will soon be descending, you can tell this is a worthwhile visit. An expansive downhill lawn is laid out like a rug with trees lining both sides. Take any path down the hill to reach a pond. Being an arboretum, different species of trees are identified.
The main trail loops around the pond, but there are offshoots from that path as well. Being an arboretum it’s plants on display but not in a garden set up. Connecticut’s state flower is prevalent as many mountain laurels were in bloom during my visit. One plant certainly not native is the cacti which are also surprisingly located here.
The arboretum is quiet and a lovely place to meander. There is a ramp on top of the water for a closer view. Small walls and borders shimmy this way and that in one open area. There are plenty of benches too if a rest is necessary.
The arboretum also hosts concerts and theatrical productions.
Coastal Connecticut Gardens
Harkness Memorial State Park in Waterford and the Connecticut College Arboretum in New London is a perfect garden-side road trip combination to visit this summer. These are two of the finest Connecticut gardens.
For a nearby coastal Connecticut trip, check out this story.
