Tranquility of Kentford Farm in Stonington CT | Garden Conservancy Open Days Series

Enjoy this virtual tour of the tranquil Kentford Farm, which I visited during its Open Day with the @GardenConservancy.
Kentford Farm is a perennial garden located in the Old Mystic community of Southeastern Connecticut. Gracefully set on five acres of garden areas, Kentford Farm is surrounded by eighty acres of open space housing a variety of native wildlife. The location is perfect for garden strolls, special occasions, and private parties.
The homestead is nestled between mature pine trees, magnolias, weeping cherries, rhododendrons, azaleas, maples, wisteria, and garden plantings. Kentford Farm is accented with rolling stone walls that border the property boundaries and blend seamlessly with neighboring walls. The pristine root cellar is set into a natural hillside bank and is still used to store bulbs and tubers during the cold of winter. The home is surrounded by field stone patio work and accented by a sitting garden on the western side of the property.
Isaac Thompson, a Westerly, Rhode Island merchant, built Kentford Farm for his blacksmith son. More recently Kentford was a working farm owned by Thomas Dunn, former design engineer for the Nautilus Submarine. The Dunn family farm was a working farm complete with cows, goats and chickens. The Dunn family graciously deeded 80 adjoining acres to the Town of Stonington for open space preservation.
The Farm was built on the original Boston Post Road that is now designated as a preservation roadway. The Farm dates back to 1724. Kentford Farm is complete with an 18th century historic home, a barn that houses the garden shop, a stone root cellar and potting sheds. The garden barn offers floral services for all occasions and provides a resting spot for tea or a refreshing beverage after garden strolls.
For the past 27 years, Paul Coutu and William Turner have been creating grass pathways and planting beds over six acres. The perennial gardens have been built to complement previously established heritage gardens. The historic property is complete with a Koi pond, waterfall, trellis, strolling and sitting gardens, and is the perfect attraction for a garden tour, special occasion or private party.
When I expressed to Paul that I thought the property had a very painterly feel to it, he told me that he considers his landscaping to be "painting with plants". A very apt analogy!
I highly recommend making a visit!
kentfordfarm.com/
The #GardenConservancy Open Days program is the only nationwide garden visiting program. The organization is a nationwide community of gardeners and garden enthusiasts teaching and inspiring each other and the public. From expert to novice, there is no better way to improve as a gardener than by experiencing a diverse range of gardens, and gardening traditions, firsthand.
Its an incredible privilege and treat to be able to visit so many stunning private gardens and learn from masters!
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[@lianeabeyta4515]

Wow... first time viewer. This farm is truly magical with all the greens and stone paths and garden art. The beautiful sun dappled on the meandering walkways. But I really loved the detailed story you included. It really added so much to know the history. I hope others take the time to read that. Thanks so much.

[@Magicplaces1]

So glad you enjoyed the video of Kentford Farm Liane! I, too, am a lover of history and the stories behind places! I think it adds meaning and context for the appreciation of the beauty and character of a place. I decided to include the history in the descriptive text so as to not distract from the visual.

[@lianeabeyta4515]

Had to jump back on and say your choice of music was hauntingly hypnotic! Just became a subscriber.

[@Magicplaces1]

Thanks for this nice feedback! I spend a fair amount of time choosing the music for each video. I enjoy it, and I try to select pieces that enhance the visual experience!