Maureen and Mike Ruettgers, Carlisle, MA

“I love the Chinese proverb, ‘He who plants a garden plants happiness’ but, today, for me, it’s also ‘She who plants a garden creates mindfulness.’”

MAUREEN and MIKE RUETTGERS

Carlisle, MA

Within their Gardens at Clock Barn, outside of Boston, MA, Maureen and Mike Ruettgers have created a haven for family in the very broadest sense. Here, treated to a host of special activities, Open Days visitors experience the same genuine care that Maureen and Mike lavish on generations of relatives, young students from Rwanda they mentor, the community they work to enrich, and nonprofits they actively support. In this remarkable garden where their children grew up having “walking picnics,” finding and devouring whatever was ripe, Open Days guests experience a veritable wonderland designed to ignite curiosity and delight in gardeners of all ages. The inviting, very chic design overflows with choice plants, both edible and ornamental. An inventive children’s garden and magnificent tree house are irresistible. In all they do, Maureen and Mike seek to inspire and educate. At home, they seek to connect people to nature through gardens and gardening. Finding common purpose, they are generous supporters of Garden Conservancy Open Days.