Chanticleer is appropriately labeled “a pleasure garden” and it’s easy to see why it’s regularly included in lists of the 10 best public gardens in the U.S.
Originally a summer home that Christine and Adolph Rosengarten, Sr. used to escape Philadelphia’s heat, Rosengarten named his home “Chanticlere” after the estate in Thackeray’s 1855 novel “The Newcomes.”
The 35-acre garden includes a Teacup Garden and Chanticleer Terrace with seasonal and tropical plants. Bell’s Woodland features plants of the eastern North American forest, with azaleas, foam flowers, and ferns, as well as wetland plants including skunk cabbages, rushes, and sedges. There’s also the Asian Woods, Water Garden, Stream Garden, Ruin Garden, and the Cut-Flower and Vegetable Garden, where a potager, enclosed by paling, contains a mix of vegetables grown for taste and ornament.
Photo: Cut flower and vegetable garden
In addition to horticultural expertise,
many of the talents of the Chanticleer staff are found throughout the garden — ranging from wood working, stone carving, painting, and metal working.
What’s Special
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This is a garden that’s a source of inspiration for any gardener – novice to master.
Visiting
Open from April through October; Wednesday–Sunday, 10:00 am–5:00 pm, Fridays until 8. Closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. There is no food available, although picnicking is generally allowed in designated areas. Painting is allowed on Wednesdays.
Located at 5105 Kennett Pike (Route 52), Winterthur, DE 19735
For in-car GPS and online mapping services, use: 786 Church Road, Wayne, PA 19087-4713
Photo: The Teacup Garden planted with purple mustard, and apricot Diascia barbarae
[Flirtation™ Orange] = ‘Dala Oran’ and Heuchera ‘Caramel’. Photo by Lisa Roper
Website: Chanticleer Garden