Pax et Bonum Arboretum
The Property
The Healey family’s quaint and idyllic property enjoys a rich history. The current house, built in 1950, was designed by renowned post World War II architect Royal Barry Wills, replacing the actress Charlotte Cushman’s historic mansion which stood in 1881.
The Collections
The diverse plant collection at Pax et Bonum was largely propagated through bare-root plant acquisition. Notably, a wall along the far edge of the property is constructed of rocks from the demolition of the Jamestown Bridge. Another brick wall, 45’ long descending from 7’ to 3’, creates a small private contemplative garden, with a small shade garden along the opposite side of the house. Mr. Healey has personally labeled all of his trees, which has served as a significant educational tool.
The Mission
The mission of the Pax et Bonum Arboretum is to be a space for local education on residential scale gardening techniques, the growing and maintenance of espaliered fruit trees, water conservation strategies, and the collection and propagation of unique specimen plants.
Special Features
WATER CONSERVATION
An 1,800-cubic-foot underground water cistern was built in 1871 as part of a system of cisterns for fire protection that were installed on Catherine Street. The cistern under Pax et Bonum was discovered and excavated by Robert Healey in 1990 when making an addition to the house. The garden now exclusively uses this cistern as its water source; the water from the gutters of the house are diverted into the cistern through a rainwater collection network. This method allows the Healeys to eliminate runoff due to the impenetrable footprint of the house from leaving the site, preventing it from traveling into Narragansett Bay.
ESPALIER TECHNIQUES
Pax et Bonum’s collection includes five espaliered fruit trees. The arboretum hopes to inspire and encourage current and future gardeners to cultivate their own espaliered trees. The fruit trees at Pax et Bonum include pear and apple varieties, which help model good tree selection and placement, pruning techniques, and organic pest control, using “old world” models to show how the home grower can efficiently use limited space that otherwise might be wasted. These trees are expertly trained against the sides of the house and Mr. Healey has had great success with fruit production.
JAPANESE SPECIAL COLLECTION
Mr. Healey is entranced by trees of Japanese origin. The Healey’s quarter of an acre arboretum showcases four different cultivars of Japanese Maple. In addition to the maples, his garden features the Japanese plant Kirengeshoma palmata, a herbaceous perennial. The arboretum is also home to an astounding Japanese Wood Poppy, Glaucidium palmatum, which is the only species in its genus. Crimson Queen was transferred from his residence in Connecticut in a whiskey barrel!
