A Visit to Ellen & Bob’s Collectors Farmland Garden

Ellen and Bob bought their 26-acre farm in 1982. Located in a small valley in the Oley hills, they are surrounded by protected woodland and farmland. The topography is primarily rolling hillside with a stream and wet meadows; at the bottom of the property woodlands slope up on the other side of the road. The farmhouse and barn date back to the mid 1800's.

Over the past 40⁺ years, Bob has been busy transforming farmland into gardens. Initially there was no over-riding garden plan; the planting of ornamental trees and shrubs primarily reflected an interest in collecting. Whatever interesting or unusual plants could be obtained were planted where space allowed. This was facilitated through friends who were buying plants from large wholesale nurseries which allowed Bob to purchase multiples of rare seedlings at reasonable prices. A friendship with Robert Seip of Lennilea Farms Nursery provided mentorship and an introduction to horticulture. Many of the conifers and ornamental plants growing at Bob & Ellen’s are plants Robert Seip propagated through his contacts with arboretums and specialty nurseries.

Recently Bob has been attempting to make his property more of a garden rather than a collection of plants. Raised berms have been installed for perennials and bulbs and the tree peonies are slowly coming along. Along with large numbers of conifers, there are collections of oaks, maples, beeches, magnolias, Japanese maples, stewartias, and more; plants from A to Z. Interesting specimens include: a Picea abies ‘Virgata’ (Snake Branch Spruce), a Davidia involucrata (which has started to flower), a group of Cedrus libani producing viable seeds, a large weeping Katsura tree, and a Magnolia biondii.

The garden is not a showplace but more of a work in progress. Bob will be available to answer questions and share gardening tales. Ellen and Bob invite you to come, enjoy, explore.

This is a garden with rolling ups and downs, so please be sure to wear sturdy shoes!

While in the area, consider visiting these local businesses:

Glick’s Greenhouse, 57 Fisher Mill Rd, Oley, PA 19547, (610) 689-9856, is about 10 minutes away. Glick’s sells a variety of annuals, perennials and vegetable plants.

Lennilea Farms Nursery, Conrad Rd, Alburtis, PA 18011, (610) 845-3443, is about 15 minutes away in Huffs Church. Lennilea sells a variety of annuals, perennials, vegetable plants, and produce. Unfortunately, Robert Seip has retired so Lennilea no longer sells rare plants, but it is a nice place to visit.

This is a Members Only event, but registration is required. $5 per attendee.Maximum number of guests is 15.

Registration opens March 24th. Registration closes May 3.

Our visit will be held on Monday May 5, 2025, in clear skies or light rain. If we have heavy rain, our visit will be held on our Rain Date, Saturday, May 10, 2025.

Click here if you would like to become a member of HPS/MAG before registering for this event.

Restrooms will be available.

Address and parking directions will be sent to all registrants in their confirmation email.

Contact: Dawn Freeman at [email protected]