The Property

Maher-a-Lago Arboretum is a small property on Maher Court purchased by Carol and Robert O’Donnell Jr. in spring of 2018. The property was previously accredited as an arboretum under the name “Clambee” by past owners Janet Atkins and Tarleton Watkins. Sam Kinder and Avery Design were hired by previous the owners to help lay out the original landscape of Maher-a-Lago. At the time, the property was a mess of brambles, thorns, and trash, along with a 700 square foot fish shack. Some original plantings from this period still remain, including the Persian Ironwood, the Katsura, and the birch trees on the south side of the property. Jim Estes of Estes Twombly Architecture designed a new house with a clear understanding of the owner’s sympathy for the garden and their desire to fully integrate it with the house. The final house and landscape design was submitted to the American Institute of Architects, winning a Bronze award in 2008.

The Collections

Every carefully chosen tree is a highlight in the landscape of this property, in particular the prized Persian Ironwood (Parrotia persica), White Barked Himalayan Birch (Betuala utilis var. Jacquemontii), a pair of Slender Silhouette Sweetgums (Liquidambar styraciflua ‘Slender Silhouette’), and a young Dove Tree (Davidiia involucrata var. vilmoriniana) propagated at the Arnold Arboretum. Magnolia grandiflora ‘Edith Bogue’ and Cercis canadensis ‘Covey’ display a decidedly southern influence.

The gardens are designed to be in “color” in a wave, beginning in May with the peonies, then moving to the irises on the rock creek, with color and changing aspects continuing to emerge throughout the summer and fall.

Maher-A-Lago Plant Inventory

Scroll down and to the right for more items

Maher-A-Lago Tree Map - Google Maps

Select the “+” icon below to zoom in to see tree collection details.

The Mission

The mission of Maher-A-Lago is to showcase the marriage of landscape with modern solution. This narrow rectangle of land holds an impressive collection of trees that give the landscape incredible depth and variety as well as a stone-lined dry river bed which is an ecological solution for the landscape of Maher-a-Lago, part of the Almy Pond watershed. Before the installation of the river bed the landscape experienced minor flooding during rain storms.

Special Features

Lion’s Head Japanese Maple / Acer palmatum ‘Shishigashira’
Shishigashira is a very desirable Japanese Maple for small gardens, containers, and bonsai practices. It is slow-growing and naturally upright with thick bunches of curled leaves. ‘Shishigashira’ is Japanese for lions head, referring to the shape of the leaf bunches.

White-barked Himalayan Birch / Betula utilis var. jacquemontii
The White-barked Himalayan Birch exhibits the brightest white bark of any birch. This exceptional tree has a graceful pyramidal form and terrific fall color.

Lavender Twist Redbud / Cercis canadensis ‘Covey’
This small weeping redbud cultivar is noted for its trunk’s absence of an upright leader and its dense umbrella-shaped crown. If staked and trained it can eventually rise 8-10’ tall, otherwise it likely will not grow higher than 5’. Clusters of tiny lavender-pink flowers bloom for 2-3 weeks in early spring before the heart-shaped foliage emerges.

Southern Magnolia / Magnolia grandiflora ‘Edith Bogue’
This southern magnolia cultivar is known for its excellent winter hardiness, allowing New Englanders to enjoy its large and fragrant blooms. The creamy flowers are fragrant with a lemony scent, and foliage is semi-evergreen in this region.

Persian Ironwood / Parrotia persica
This small deciduous tree provides winter interest with its exfoliating bark that matures to create a mosaic of greens, white, and tan patches.

Slender Silhouette Sweetgum / Liquidambar styraciflua ‘Slender Silhouette’
This cultivar of our native sweetgum stays extremely narrow as it grows, making it a great choice for tight spaces or for a striking vertical accent.

Dry Riverbed
The dry river bed serves as a natural filter for storm runoff before it finds its way to Almy Pond, moving water safely through the landscape while serving as a focal point of the garden.