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Sponsored
This post is sponsored by The Montclair Foundation.
Montclair is full of spots that fall right into if you know, you know territory, and the magic that is Van Vleck House + Gardens is certainly one of them. It is already a great visit for a quiet afternoon walk or a moment to take in history (plus, it’s free!), but its annual events are worth checking out too. Every June, The Montclair Foundation an annual Roses to Rock Gardens Tour at the gardens, which will be held on Friday, June 5th, and Saturday, June 6th, from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM. This year’s self-guided event will feature nine private gardens truly worth checking out. Continue reading to learn about The Montclair Foundation’s Roses to Rock Gardens Tour at Van Vleck House and what it features.
About the Roses to Rock Gardens Tour
Hosted by The Montclair Foundation, the Roses to Rock Gardens Tour is a fundraiser that supports the non-profit organization’s ongoing work at Van Vleck House & Gardens. This year it’s happening on Friday, June 5th, and Saturday, June 6th, from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM, introducing visitors to a range of landscapes, including floral gardens filled with roses and hardscape “rock gardens” compositions. The gardens on the tour change each year and reflect the personalities of the homeowners. The list and garden locations are not revealed until tour-goers pick up their printed guides at Van Vleck House during the tour days.
This is the 26th edition of the Roses to Rock Gardens Tour, with a lineup including nine private gardens throughout Montclair, Glen Ridge, and Verona. Van Vleck Gardens will serve as the starting point, and visitors will also have access to the Avis Campbell Garden, which is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Garden Club of Montclair.
About Van Vleck House + Gardens
Van Vleck House & Gardens is a historic property located at 21 Van Vleck Street in Montclair. It was a family estate for three generations, dating back to the late 1800s, with the current Mediterranean-inspired home built in 1916 by Joseph Van Vleck, Jr. In 1993, the 6-acre property was donated to The Montclair Foundation to serve as a center for area nonprofits and to provide free public access to the gardens daily. The Foundation continues to fund grants for local nonprofits and hosts outdoor cultural performances and special events inside Van Vleck House for the public. Wellness classes and a variety of nature education classes for children and adults are held in the Education Center, deeper into the property. They shorthand it for visitors with “good grows here” to explain everything happening behind the entrance gates.
The lush gardens were originally designed to be enjoyed by the Van Vleck family during their stays in spring, so there are many spring-blooming flowers, including rhododendrons and azaleas. From the flower varieties to massive Chinese wisteria trees, visits to Van Vleck feel unlike any other nature venture (like, true fairy tale material and there is a fairy trail, too).
How to Participate
The Roses to Rock Gardens Tour runs from Friday, June 5th, to Saturday, June 6th, from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Visitors will start at Van Vleck House + Gardens, located on 21 Van Vleck Street in Montclair, to check in and receive their materials. Tickets are $60 for the public and $50 for members, and pets + children under the age of 12 are not permitted.
There will also be a special seminar from guest speaker Evan Ralph: “From Desk to Dirt: How the Design, Build, and Maintenance process comes together to create exceptional gardens.” This will be held on Saturday, June 6th, at 9:30 AM, with a separate $15 ticket.
To learn more or buy tickets to the event, be sure to visit The Montclair Foundation’s website here.
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