Hunnewell Estate to welcome the masses for Garden Conservancy Open Days program

In a rare opportunity for garden lovers and general snoops who have always wondered what it would be like to tour the exterior of Wellesley’s most iconic property, The Hunnewell Estate in Wellesley will be open to the public through the Garden Conservancy’s Open Days program on Saturday, August 13, 10am – 2pm.

This is an event that I absolutely will not miss, and thanks to the blog Landscape Notes I got a sneak preview filled with drop-dead gorgeous shots of the property at angles from which I’ve only dreamed of aiming. Sure, I’ve taken dozens of pictures of the Hunnewell Estate topiary garden, the Hunnewell mansion, and Lake Waban, and they’re lovely and all, but they’re all from the same perspective — that of a respectful, no trespassing distance. Yup, just me and my zoom lens clicking away at the perfectly clipped trees and shubbery of the topiary garden, the exterior of the majestic, white-columned mansion, and the generally calm waters of the lake. So imagine my envy when I came across blogger Patrice Todisco’s beautiful photos of everything I just mentioned, and more, all taken from angles I’ve only dreamed of.

With luck, in August it will be time to make my dreams come true. I’ll be there on the Garden Conservancy’s Open Days, hopefully with permission to take pictures from every which way. August can’t come quickly enough.

Hunnewell Estate, Wellesley
Hunnewell Estate. Photo credit, Patrice Todisco, Landscape Notes

Hunnewell Estate, Wellesley
Hunnewell Estate. Photo credit, Patrice Todisco, Landscape Notes

Hunnewell Estate, Wellesley
Hunnewell Estate. Photo credit: Patrice Todisco, Landscape Notes

In addition to the Hunnewell Estate, also open on August 13, 10am – 4pm will be Ellen Lathi’s garden in nearby Needham. There will be a special program at her garden, hosted by Ellen and Kerry Ann Mendez, “Garden Tips from a Tropical Paradise Near Boston,” at 2pm. Registration details here.

And in nearby Sherborn, Bonaire, a spectacular, five-acre, detailed Italianate garden at 36 Ash Lane in Sherborn will be open 10am – 2pm. 

Admission to each garden is $7. Don’t forget to buy discounted admission tickets in advance. They never expire and can be used at most Open Days to make garden visiting easier. Nonmembers get one ticket free. Members enjoy 50% off.