Rothwell Garden in Hillsboro Ohio

Posted by Christine Eirschele May 28, 2009

Follow the rolling hills in southwestern Ohio to Hillsboro, it is there you will find hidden a small private garden. It was an adventure, to say the least. To find the garden go armed with maps and up-to-the-minute directions, remembering that cell phones do not always work.

But once there, the flowers are beautiful and depending on the time of the season you will see tulips, tree peonies, or daylilies. It is zone 6 at Rothwell Gardens so expect to see plants blooming earlier than northern gardeners are use to.

Tree Peonies at Rothwell

I went to see Don’s 18 tree peonies and while I was too late to see the mass of blooms, the remaining flowers were beautiful. He had Tree Peony ‘Seidei’ which is a peachy pink flower with paler pink edges. Also there is Tree Peony Kinshi 'Golden Bird’ that is a double Japanese plant. The golden yellow blooms are said to open May-June but it was already done flowering by my mid-May visit.

Garden Musings on Tree Peonies

For gardeners interested tree peonies, here is more information about these dramatically beautiful plants and other related peonies:

• Build a scented garden with Magnolia, Syringa and Peonies.
• Create a rock garden with Fern Leaved Peonies.
• Learn about Intersectional Peonies.
• And for something to read check out the Peony Rockii and Gansu Mudan book.

Rothwell Gardens is a fun place to visit. It is not wheelchair accessible but the curved in and out driveway allows visitors to stay in the car while still taking in the show.

Garden Events in Southern Ohio

Remember Lilyfest in southern Ohio and daylily gardens at Garden on Cedar Hill Road. For more Ohio gardens to visit check out my musings on Ohio public gardens and events.