Garden of Delights

The stately, twin-chimney colonial has had many additions over the years. The new stone patio and all the windows on this side look over the long mixed border and pasture toward Mount Monadnock.

Little Brook Farm in Jaffrey, which dates from 1816, was once known locally for its maple syrup. When Jim and Marianne Rothnie bought the property in 2011 — only the third family to own it — they converted it to a horse farm, adding stables and extensive riding trails through the woods. “We put in the pasture fences, connected the dots and finished the puzzle,” says Marianne, who loves that their home is not hidden away on its 80-plus acres. “It is the house on the hill, open to the mountain view.”

Reclaim and Rebuild
Huge rhododendrons, original to the property, hug the side of the house. Hydrangeas and lavender edging were added for later color. “Marianne likes hydrangeas, and there weren’t many here,” says gardener Sarah Bulson, who has worked for the Rothnies since they bought the property. “Now, we have plenty!”

Across the driveway from the house, a large timber-frame barn with weathered siding provides the perfect backdrop for more hydrangeas and a large kousa dogwood. “The dogwood is beautiful when it flowers against the barn,” says Bulson.

Behind the barn are more rhododendrons, peonies and island flower beds that she created using plants she discovered growing amid the tangled underbrush. She says that “it was a treasure hunt to find and reuse them.” Similarly, an area where shade-loving plants now fill a new raised bed defined by a stone wall was a struggle to reclaim from invasive plants.

A partial stone foundation built into the hill is all that’s left of another large barn. Marianne says she “wanted an outdoor shower, and it was the perfect protected spot.” Ferns love the shady moist location, and Bulson brought in hostas, bleeding hearts and white daylilies.

The ‘Nikko Blue’ hydrangeas growing behind the house were not blooming until they were moved to the old barn foundation to take advantage of the shelter. “Now, they are thriving,” says Bulson. A hedge of peonies borders the nearby parking area and is the star of the show in June. “Peonies have been cultivated here for a long time,” she says. Even when they are not in bloom, they offer a lush background for other flowers.

The Back Border
Behind the house, looking toward Mount Monadnock, is a 100-foot-long mixed border. “Sarah expanded the original gardens that were here,” says Marianne. “We discuss changes, but I leave all the decisions up to her. She is very smart!”

Bulson has an eye for composition, color and texture and is not afraid to change things up each year. “We love to add interest and pops of surprise by using plants with various foliage colors and textures,” she says. “The foliage of soft silvery lamb’s-ear contrasts the sharp, red, serrated foliage of ‘Mystic Series’ dahlias and ‘Mahogany Splendor’ hibiscus.” Other surprises include tall, yellow Texas coneflowers (Rudbeckia texana), calla lilies, spiky artichokes and sea holly. “In general, the back border was created using plants we chose simply because we like each plant for itself, no specific color scheme or predetermined plan in mind, but somehow it all works together to create an interesting, cohesive border that evolves from year to year.”

A Cutting Garden
Marianne shares the flowers in her cutting garden with her church, her bridge club and Apple Hill Music concerts. “One great thing about having lots of flowers around and an arranger — Marianne — making beautiful displays is that it creates a ton of subjects for my painting hobby,” says Jim, an accomplished artist. Marianne is head of the floral design committee for her garden club and has hosted the in-club flower show in her husband’s studio, one of the attractive older buildings on the property. “By the end of the summer we have a lot of flowers!” she says.

A New Pond
Cody Gordon of Jaffrey, who has done all the stonework at the farm, was called in to dig a pond near the back field, but it wasn’t easy. He eventually hit ledge and had to stop. Huge granite boulders were removed and placed around the edges, including one that he stood on end that’s in the shape of New Hampshire. “The pond is 10 feet deep, and we swim in it all the time,” says Marianne. The path leading to the pond goes through the woods, so they cleared the understory to encourage lady’s slippers, ferns and other woodland plants to grow. Around the pond they planted extra perennials divided from the gardens and shrubs including viburnum, mountain laurel and tri-color willow.

Changes to Come
Little Brook Farm continues to evolve. Now that the horses are gone, Jim is considering converting one of the pastures to an orchard. “Since I seem to have aged out of horseback riding, we are talking about finding a good new use for this beautiful pasture,” he says. “Our current thinking is to plant fruit trees in one area and let wildflowers grow throughout the rest. There is already a good seed bed of native plants in the soil.”

And a new chapter begins at an old New Hampshire farm.

Project Team
Apple Hill Center for Chamber Music | 603-847-3371 | applehill.org
Fine Gardens with Sarah | 518-248-2271 | bulsonsarah@gmail.com
Gordon Services Property Management | 603-325-8457