The Property

The existing house was designed by prominent architect William Ralph Emerson, and was built in 1890-1891. The first owner was philanthropist Rosa Anne Grosvenor, who summered at the estate until her death in 1942. The home and property would be featured in Country Life Magazine in August 1923. The 19th century manor house sits about 100 feet above sea level, with gorgeous views of the property and Atlantic Ocean in the distance. 

The Collections

Boasting several mature specimen trees, particularly assorted evergreens that have been thoughtfully sited along a steep ledge and can be seen from many angles throughout the property. Weeping hemlocks, junipers, spruces, and pines of varying textures combine for a captivating effect. An intriguing whip cord Japanese cedar is one of the more interesting members of the conifer collection, along with the species Sawara false cypress, which has reverted from the thread leaf type. Other notable plants include a massive Bracken’s Brown Beauty southern magnolia, a groove of weeping birches, and London planetrees gracefully spreading over a small pond filed with water lilies. Let’s not overlook the row of alternating weeping and copper beech’s lining Brenton Road, creating a formidable screen while also being remarkably beautiful.

The Mission

Wyndham Arboretum is dedicated to restoring and preserving the naturalistic flow of the landscape, highlighted with interesting and uncommon woody plant species. The arboreum will continue to select plants with an emphasis on evergreen cultivars aiming to combine for an interesting textural effect and plant for a changing climate and environment; selecting pest and disease resistant species for the best chance of long-term success.