THE INNER PARK
Unlike the formal gardens, the Inner Park was largely created by nature. Decades ago, much of this five-acre area was grazing pastures for cattle. Left alone, the land developed into a successional woodland of mixed hardwood trees. Dedicated to Palmer W. Bigelow, Jr. in 2002, the Inner Park is New England Botanic Garden’s premier native plant garden. It offers visitors examples of how to create naturalistic gardens with a focus on an everblooming display that has interest in all seasons.
The Inner Park is an adventurous space with areas full of native plants such as Actaea rubifolia, azaleas, and red-flowering hydrangea, and trees like magnolias (Magnolia tripetala, Magnolia fraserie, Magnolia macrophylla), yellowwoods (Chladrastis kentukea), and horse chestnut (Aesculus parviflora, Aesculus pavia).
There are also a variety of interesting native plant beds located throughout the Inner Park. Wander through the front of the Park during spring and find over 20 species of trillium, as well as flowering trees such as redbuds (Cercis canadensis), flowering dogwoods (Benthamidia florida), and serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.). Near the back of the Park by the Friendship Urn, a variety of blue flowering plants, including Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica), blue moon phlox, and Jacob’s ladder (Polemonium), bloom from early spring to late fall.
