Burning Heart Darwin Tulip, Courtesy Sherwood Gardens, Baltimore, MD

Yesterday was Tulip Dig at Sherwood Gardens.  Every Saturday of Memorial Weekend the public can dig tulip bulbs for 30 cents a piece.  After consulting the lay-out of the gardens I choose “Texas Gold” to brighten my garden next Spring.  Advised to put bone meal in a whole about 6 inches down I will add them to a backdrop of ilex crenata to shine and wave hello when pulling in the driveway.  The following excerpt is from the Guilford Association website.  Please support their hard working efforts to create flower beds to be enjoyed year in and out.

Sherwood Garden was created in the 1920’s by John W. Sherwood, local petroleum pioneer and conservationist. (During the 1800s the property on which Sherwood Gardens is located was part of the Guilford estate of A.S. Abell, founder of the Baltimore Sun.  The site of the gardens was a pond which was filled in when the area was developed for housing in 1912.) Begun as a hobby, and planted by Mr. Sherwood with tulips that he imported from the Netherlands, the gardens have become known as the most famous tulip garden in North America. They cover Stratford Green, one of the original parks laid out by the Olmsted Brothers for the enjoyment of the residents of Guilford, and several adjacent building lots purchased by Mr. Sherwood. His own house adjoined the gardens at 204 East Highfield Road.

When Mr. Sherwood died in 1965, he bequeathed sufficient funds to continue the gardens for one year. After that period, the Guilford Association purchased the additional lots from the Sherwood estate and took responsibility for its care. The City of Baltimore also has helped from time to time with contributions toward the cost of tulip purchase and maintenance.  

Tulips, Sherwood Gardens, Courtesy Guilford Association

Approximately 80,000 tulip bulbs are planted annually along with other spring flowering bulbs. Dogwoods, flowering cherries, wisteria and magnolias bloom throughout the garden. One will also enjoy the brightly colored azaleas and old English boxwoods which were particular favorites of Mr. Sherwood. Some of these plants date back as far as the 18th century, collected from gardens of Colonial estates in Southern Maryland. The garden has always been at its best toward the end of April and beginning of May. Adding to the beauty and uniqueness of the present day garden are the numerous varieties of rare trees which comprised another aspect of Mr. Sherwood’s particular interests. During the mid-summer months the beds of the gardens are planted with masses of annuals thanks to the adopt-a-plot effort of the Guilford Association.

More than six acres in size, Sherwood Gardens has no gates, fences or other barriers. The public may stroll at leisure through the grounds. There is no admission charge and a reservation is not required.

Sherwood Gardens is owned by the residents of Guilford and managed through Stratford Green, a non-profit entity. Tax-deductible donations for upkeep of the gardens may be sent to:

Stratford Green, Inc., c/o Brodie Management, Inc.
P.O. Box 529
Timonium, MD 21094-0529

Donation checks should be made out to Stratford Green, Inc.