Approaching the end of August, each stroll through Greenwood Gardens offers opportunities for discovery and delight. While the flowers are still in full bloom and the worker bees are hard at work, the Greenwood Gardens staff has prepared a delightful roster of tours and programs for this fall. 360 magazine is pleased to see multiple events planned out for the fall season, it’s a beautiful garden and has fully planned events for everyone to enjoy.
Greenwood Gardens is a non-profit 28-acre public garden and historic site located at 274 Old Short Hills Road in Short Hills, New Jersey. Its mission is to connect people with nature in a historic garden oasis through self-guided tours and programs at the nexus of nature, beauty, and history. Formerly the private estate of the Day and Blanchard families, Greenwood is supported by gifts, membership, and volunteers.
A WALK THROUGH Greenwood’s Past
Fridays, September 3, October 29, 2021
10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m
Join Greenwood Staff and Volunteers on a meandering walk through the Garden to learn a century’s worth of history about the unique families whose sensibilities paved the way for the architecture and gardens of the Greenwood of today.
Garden Photography for Enthusiasts
Wednesdays, September 8, October 13, 2021
10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Greenwood offers photographers an ever-evolving backdrop against which to capture nature, beauty, and history at their best. On these exclusive days reserved just for you, we invite you to photograph our sensuous gardens, unique collection of garden statuary, antique ornaments, iconic follies, as well as our colorful and entertaining collection of turkeys, chickens, and talkative roaming geese.
Journaling Workshop
Friday, September 10, 2021
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
With Peter P. Blanchard III, Co-Founder, and Chairman of the Board
Find great satisfaction in closely observing nature through journaling, the practice of keeping a personal record using a combination of writing and sketching. Guided by Peter, who has joyfully employed this practice for decades, you will spend one hour in an introductory session, followed by the opportunity to add an optional extra hour to practice what you’ve learned. Bring your own sketch pads pencils, pens, and markers.
En Plein Air Watercolor Painting
Wednesdays, September 22, October 20, 2021
10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Are you a watercolorist longing for a unique setting in which to practice your art? If so, Greenwood welcomes artists of every skill level to our historic garden oasis for a mid-autumn day of en Plein air painting. Our century-old site offers magical views, iconic Arts and Crafts style follies, stately fountains, winding paths, bucolic ponds, and wandering geese. Artist easels are permitted, so long as pathways are not blocked or placed in the planted beds. Watercolors ONLY and drop cloth required to participate.
Experience QiGong in the Garden
Thursday, September 23, 2021
10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
With Carl Klemme, Qigong Practitioner, Glow Yoga Center & PS108 Yoga
Let the peace and beauty of Greenwood Gardens enhance your introduction to qigong with Carl, an experienced practitioner of this ancient practice utilizing movement, breathing, and mindfulness to support and enhance health, longevity, and spiritual connectivity. This session will focus on the Eight Pieces of Brocade, a classic series of movements from which anyone can benefit and which will be performed in different locations throughout the gardens.
$15 members; $20 non-members
Scavenger Hunt and Tour
Friday, October 1, 2021
10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Hidden trinkets await discovery throughout the garden! Join us for instructions on the East Terrace, followed by a fun and challenging scavenger hunt in the crisp air through Greenwoodߣs historic landscape. Prizes awarded to scavenger hunt winners! A mini-tour of the inside of the Main House follows.
Bird Walk
Thursday, October 7, 2021
8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
With Dave Hall, New Jersey Audubon Naturalist
Join Dave for a birding tour through Greenwood Gardens. Explore habitats of hardwood forests, conifer stands, and ponds. Venture into South Mountain Reservation to spy avian friends. Binoculars recommended.
What’s In Bloom Walk
Friday, October 15, 2021
10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
With Sonia Uyterhoeven, Head of Horticulture
Join Sonia for a tour and discussion of our extensively renovated gardens. Learn about Greenwood’s new planting palette and the decision-making process that was used to inform the planting design.
Experience Tai Chi in the Garden
Thursday, October 21, 2021
10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
With Carl Klemme, Tai Chi Practitioner, Glow Yoga Center & PS108 Yoga
This session will introduce you to the ancient Chinese technique of tai chi, a graceful form of exercise, akin to meditation in motion, through which various self-defense forms are strung together into a fluid, slow-motion sequence. The result is a quieter mind, reduced stress, and improved balance, posture, and strength. Surrounded by the beauty of Greenwood Gardens, Carl, an experienced instructor, will teach you a variety of short tai chi flows that you can enjoy practicing at home.
$15 members; $20 non-members
Autumnal Natural History Ramble through the Gardens
Friday, October 22, 2021
10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
With Peter P. Blanchard III, Co-Founder, and Chairman of the Board
Peter will lead participants through Greenwood for a walk on the wild side that will focus on seasonal changes. We’ll return to the Main House for warm cider following the ramble.
The Genius of Bees – The Queen and Her City
Wednesday, October 27, 2021
10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
With Joe Lilenho, Beekeeper, Hilltop Honey
In this indoor lecture and presentation, expert beekeeper Joe Lilenho dives deeply into the inner workings of the bee colony, providing fascinating facts about building the hive, cell creation, and the collection of nectar, pollen, water, and propolis. Learn how each bee interacts with the Queen and one another as they go about their important work in their Éc;tidyÉd; hive. Joe will demonstrate how the beekeeper works in conjunction with the colony to ensure the health of the hive and delicious honey production.
$15 members; $20 non-members
Walking and Talking Greenwood’s Trees and Winter ID
Friday, November 5, 2021
10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
With Scott Lamm, Arborist, Sav-A-Tree
Take a walk through the garden on a crisp November morning with expert arborist Scott Lamm as he identifies the trees of Greenwood Gardens. Scott will share his nearly 50 years of experience on the property and will cover such topics as how to care for trees, detect potential damage, and plan for the long-term health of your trees.
Entry to the garden is free to members and children under 3; $15 adults 13-64; $10 senior (65+); and students with ID; and $5 children 3-12. Register for advance timed tickets, where a complimentary downloadable guide to the garden and its history is also available. The garden adheres to state and municipal guidelines governing visitation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
