JUNE 7^th – SAVE THE DATE FOR THE MEMBER GARDEN TOUR! 

2025 HPS/MAG Member Garden Tour –

Gardens of the Upper and Lower Bucks County Area 

Saturday, June 7, 2025, 12:00 – 6:00 PM 

Garden Tours – 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM

followed by a

Reception – 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM

at Fordhook Farm, Doylestown, PA 

The is a rain or shine event. Members only. The tour is free, but registration is required. Guests are welcome but are required to join HPS/MAG at the first house that they visit. We will be prepared at each house to sign up your guests. Dues are $35.00 for one year and $60.00 for two years. Important: Exact cash payment or payment by check is required on the day of the tour.

Registration is open, click here to register.

Registration closes June 1st.  Click here if you would like to become a member of HPS/MAG before registering for this event.

Addresses and parking directions will be sent to all registrants in their confirmation email.

Volunteers are needed for this event – there will be a sign up genius to volunteer. Volunteers must also register for this event.

Plant Give-Away: At the reception, one person from each member family attending the reception will be invited to select a plant from the plant donations collected by our HPS Board Members. We will be offering some special and hard to find plants! 

Contact: Elizabeth Stinson at [email protected]

Here are some of the highlights of the wonderful gardens you will be touring.  Enjoy!

The Garden of Michael and Fran Kates

This mature garden, comfortably situated on a one-acre lot in suburban Bucks County, features upwards of 150 conifers representing 14 genera and a wide variety of species/cultivars. All the conifers have been procured, sited, planted, and pruned by the owner and caretaker Michael. Rambling stone paths lead you effortlessly through the collection, providing ready access to all the plantings.

Conifer highlights include a large coning umbrella pine, a 20-ft. long Taxodium (bald cypress) tunnel and several large, uniquely trained weeping blue atlas cedars. Amidst the conifers, the majority of which are blue, golden, or variegated, are 50⁺ Japanese maples representing a wide array of leaf colors and habitats. The garden edging is highlighted by approximately 60 tons of colorful river rock which was hand harvested and transported via Subaru and wheelbarrow to their ultimate locations.

There are several comfortable seating spots where, after exploration, one can relax and enjoy the garden in the comfort of sun or shade. The newest garden beds are loaded with miniature conifers sating, for a short while, the gardener’s passion for acquisition in his ever shrinking canvas. All who understand this passion are graciously welcomed and won't leave disappointed.

The Garden of Fred Consaley

Carved out of a densely wooded lot, “Sanctuary Much” is a private garden that has continually expanded over the years. Although the beginnings of the garden started 40 years ago, much of the expansion has really taken place during the last 20 years. Featuring a few dozen different conifer cultivars, as well as many deciduous selections, the garden offers a number of different areas or rooms. From the flower beds around the pool and house, to the koi pond garden, to the woodland walkway and an Asian themed stroll garden, the different areas promote an aura of peace. Incorporating some native plants and other points of interest in the natural stream bed also adds to the relaxed atmosphere. All of this was done while trying to maintain the rustic feel of the 10 acres.

The homeowner notes that he has received inspiration and plant knowledge from his good friend and mentor, Michael Colibraro of Colibraro Nursery. He and Michael share a love of Asian influenced garden design. Sanctuary Much includes a little of that flavor in several areas of the garden.

The Wetlands of Aquascapes Unlimited

Founded in 1985 as an ornamental aquatic nursery located on 20 acres in Bucks County, Aquascapes Unlimited evolved quickly to place its primary emphasis on the production of local ecotype native wetland plants for wetland restoration projects.

A passion for rare native and unusual plants has led Aquascapes Unlimited to become a leader in the production of carnivorous and custom hybrid pitcher plants (Sarracenia).

This 20-acre site is a certified National Wildlife Fund habitat that contains vernal pools, a restored woodlot, 10 acres of wet woodlands, and open meadows.

The Garden of Helen Chaitman

This beautiful farm featured in the book Private Gardens of Philadelphia by Nicole Juday and Rob Cardillo encompasses 106 acres of gardens, pastures, fields, ponds and woodland in Frenchtown, New Jersey. The gardens were inspired by Capability Brown and landscaped by Renny Reynolds. This will be the first time these gardens have been opened for a tour.

Helen provided some additional info: The focal point of the gardens is a folly that I built as a music conservatory for my grandson. The farm also houses animals that I have rescued over the years. At some points I have had over 200 animals – horses, cows, goats, pigs, chickens, geese, ducks, swans, and peacocks. Now that I have retired, I have stopped adopting new animals but, of course, I am committed to providing a wonderful home for all my remaining farm guests. 

The Gardens at Fordhook Farm

Headquartered in Warminster, PA, Burpee breeds and trials plants at its nearby landmark facility, Fordhook Farm, in Doylestown PA.

Burpee is one of the world’s foremost garden, seed, and plant companies, and their home lies right in Bucks County, PA, purchased by founder W. Atlee Burpee in 1888. At Fordhook Farm, Burpee’s historic property, they breed and trial plants, allowing them to deliver the highest quality products and services to gardeners and other customers, and to discover breakthrough varieties of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers.

One of Fordhook’s most prized gardens is the Stumpery. Designed by Jerry Fritz, the Fordhook Stumpery is the largest stumpery in the world. This forest-style garden includes strolling trails surrounded by stumps and mosses from all over the region. It’s absolutely breathtaking and is definitely something to see in person.

This will also be the location of our Member Garden Tour Reception.