The Stevens-Coolidge Place estate in North Andover, a property of The Trustees of Reservations, once served as a summer home for John Gardner Coolidge—a descendant of Thomas Jefferson and nephew of Isabella Stewart Gardner—and his wife, Helen Stevens Coolidge.
Today, the estate comprises 91 acres of grasslands, wet meadows, and woodlands, and includes a 30-acre farm, a Georgian-style main house, a brick double-house and barn, a greenhouse, rose garden, willow grove, fruit orchard, potager, recently restored perennial garden, and the ever-popular cutting garden.
Area residents, out-of-town guests, and people of all ages are encouraged to roam the grounds during these fine weather months and cut fresh flowers from the cutting garden, which opens for its third season on Friday, July 18. In addition to pick-your-own standards like zinnias, dahlias, and Rudbeckia, visitors will find new varieties intended to add a bit of flair to their bouquets.
So, sometime this summer, stop in, grab a pair of scissors from the staffed tent, and meander through the garden to find just the right combination of colors and textures to make your composition pop! Oh, and be sure to say hello to the new residents living behind the historic main house—the Belted Galloway, or “Oreo cookie” cows.
The public is invited to pick flowers every Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. through September 27. Adult-size bouquets are $10 and child-size are $5.
The Stevens-Coolidge Place Cutting Garden, 137 Andover St., North Andover, 978-682-3580, www.thetrustees.org/scp