Across the street from the Salem Inn’s Curwen House is the Ropes Mansion at 318 Essex Street, owned by the Peabody Essex Museum. A leafy arbor forms a shady entryway to the treasure that lies ahead—a gorgeous one-acre formal garden. Concentric pathways wind around beds of dahlias, roses, lilies, delphinium, and many other native and exotic plants. Koi swim among the lily pads in the pond.
Planned by Salem botanist John Robinson in 1912 in a Colonialist Revival style, the garden is meticulously maintained by gardeners from the Peabody Essex Museum. Head gardener Robin Pydynkowski oversees the planting of 4500 annuals every spring.
White lilies smell delicious!
The garden is free and open from dawn until dusk, and there are benches throughout, so if you need a break and want to relax from a busy day of sightseeing, this is your place. Dogs are also welcome!
An immense copper beech tree towers over the west side of the house. It was transplanted to the garden in 1913 from the Arnold Arboretum in Boston.
It’s fun to spot the fish among the lily pads in the koi pond.
A dahlia shows off its bright colors.
~Jill Pabich, July 8, 2022