Spring Tour of the Shinn Garden & Arboretum

Ed and Debbie Shinn regard spring as the most beautiful time of year at their incredible two-acre Japanese Maple garden. Located close to the Jersey Shore, the garden is in zone 7b. The Shinns have been gardening in this spot for more than 30 years.

Ed is former Vice President of the North American Branch of the Maple Society and former VP of the American Conifer Society, Northeast Region. Ed and Debbie have the largest private collection of Japanese maples on the Eastern Seaboard, many extremely rare, including 1000 trees and 700 plus cultivars. Their garden also features 500 conifers and 60 gingkoes. Most of the plants are labeled. Extensive bluestone paths, laid down by Ed, make touring easy. The site also includes a bog garden, a rock garden, troughs, and greenhouses. Now a certified arboretum, Shinn Arboretum’s goal is to incorporate smaller stature plants and cultivars into the landscape to evaluate their performance with companion plants that can be used in a typical home garden.

To see aerial views of the garden, check Ed’s Facebook page (Ed & Debbie Shinn’s Garden) or https://www.gardenista.com/submission/2017/garden-ed-debbie-shinn/ .

As you can well imagine from the description and photos, this is a truly special place that needs to be experienced in person. Ed will be our guide for this tour of their magnificent garden.

Lunch (and ice cream!) can be enjoyed at lots of area restaurants, and there are several extensive nurseries in the vicinity. They are very close to the towns of Spring Lake, Sea Girt, and Manasquan, all on the coast and very nice to visit. They are also about 15 minutes from Rare Find Nursery and about 5 minutes from Barlow’s Flower Farm in Wall. So come to the Jersey shore for a day!

Open to members and non-members. Registration is required. Free for members, $10 for non-members. Maximum number of attendees is 25.

This event is full.  Contact Nora Sirbaugh [email protected] to be placed on a waitlist.

HPS/MAG COVID-19 PRACTICES AND POLICIES: All HPS/MAG In-Person Events shall be subject to all COVID-related requirements imposed by any state, local and/or federal agency. Guests and invitees should apprise themselves of any such requirements prior to attendance. All HPS/MAG In-Person Events shall also be subject to the COVID-related requirements, if any, of the garden host. All attendees must bring a mask for every In-Person Event, in case it is required.

Non-vaccinated attendees at events must sign a COVID waiver. Click here for the waiver. Please bring it with you to the event.