THE ERNST GARDEN FOR WILDLIFE

The garden at Manomet was originally planted over 100 years ago. It was a lush, colorful oasis thriving at the sea-side edge of windswept farmland on the Ernst family's summer estate. For many years, their devoted gardener, Otto Andersen, tended the garden, but after he passed away, it was gradually overcome by encroaching, invasive vegetation. In 1984, plans were made to rescue the "old garden" and restore some of its original charm by preserving many of the early plantings, while at the same time creating a sustainable "garden for wildlife" by choosing non-invasive and native plants that would meet the needs of wildlife and allow the garden's natural beauty to thrive.

The garden of today is nestled into 40 surrounding acres of diverse habitat - woodlands, vernal pools, ponds, cranberry bogs and open fields. It is layered in three tiers with the lower beds tucked inside a necklace of stone walls and flourishing with native perennials such as Echinacea, Coreopsis, and Lobelia. A grand Hinoki Cypress majestically stands sentinel at the perimeter. Drifts of ferns border stone steps leading to the second tier of the garden where stands of native shrubs provide a mass of white flowers in spring and clusters of red berries in the fall. The third tier is a shady picnic area where maples and Chinese Elms, with their massive trunks, gnarled branches and knuckled feet, preside over saplings reaching for the light. Stone paths meander through the garden and lead to an open, sun-drenched platform on the bluff with a sweeping view of the sea below.

In keeping with Manomets overall mission "to conserve natural resources for the benefit of wildlife and human populations" our intention is to demonstrate to the local community the appeal of gardening for wildlife and to advocate eco-friendly landscaping practices. With the increasing loss of native habitat to residential and commercial development, businesses and homeowners are encouraged to create sustainable habitat which supports the wildlife in their area. To schedule individual or group tours of the Ernst Garden for Wildlife, please call Garden Coordinator, Kim Goggin at 508-224-6521.