Gardens at Clock Barn Home of Maureen & Mike Ruettgers

About

The expansive gardens reveal themselves as you enter through an arched gate at the front of the property. Beyond you’ll discover a series of distinct garden spaces, the first being a dramatic lawn bordered by a grape arbor. Passing through the arbor, enter the manicured Walled Garden arranged in four quadrants. In the early season, antique roses, beds of thyme and lavender, purple fennel, angelica, and lovage begin to awaken. 

Beyond the Walled Garden, two reflecting pools delineate a path into the Greenhouse–the white-framed structure emerges as a focal point in the center of the property. Tender perennials, annuals, towering Abyssinian bananas, and a collection of scented geraniums fill the Greenhouse in the spring, all waiting to transition outside. A selection of annuals get their start in the cold frames. 

Nearby, trays of dried flowers and herbs harvested from the adjacent gardens fill the rustic Drying Barn, dating to 1790. During the war effort, the former owner developed drying ovens in this barn for a WPA project involving the cultivation and processing of digitalis (foxglove) for medicinal use. 

Adjacent to the Drying Barn, a Belgian espalier fence of pears encloses a room near the front of the property. Here early annuals begin their summer journey upward. 

Towards the rear of the property, discover a newly-planted orchard of apples adjacent to the Greenhouse. West of the Greenhouse, a tall stand of oaks leads the way past the Children’s Tree Fort to the Woodland Garden and Pond. Emerging in April and May, woodland ephemerals put out a show each day with bloodroot, Erythroniums both white and yellow, trillium, Dutchman’s breeches, Podophyllums, squill mix, anemones and Leucojum. Later in May, alliums pop up between hostas and the Japanese peonies japonica and obovata.

Looking east towards the edge of the property, the Cutting Garden and Wildflower Garden line the length of the driveway. Across the lawn towards the west, discover Clock Barn, a post-and-beam structure built in 1997 constructed with 18th century beams featuring a working clock from 1895. 

Spring 2026 Featured Theme: Violets: A Celebration! 

From nature and literature to fashion and design, violets serve as a source of inspiration for gardeners and creatives alike. 

Join us in celebrating the violet flowers in all its splendor during The Garden Conservancy's annual Opens Days at Clock Barn Farm & Gardens. 

Enjoy violet-themed pop-up displays through the property along with culinary delights to inspire you. 

2026 Open Day Date: Saturday, May 2

Open Day Hours: 10am–4pm