Take some time to enjoy and explore our gardens during your stay at our historic bed and breakfast in Central Pennsylvania.
In 1914, William Oliver (W. O.) Smith bought two plots of land from the Buchanan Hutton Land Company in a new Carlisle development called Mooreland. Mr. Smith was a florist, and with his wife Hannah they had one son, Noel. Hannah insisted that the home be built as a showcase for her husband’s business and proof of her social status.
W.O.’s business was flowers. It was important that the gardens and his home property reflected the best of his business. Unfortunately, there is little evidence 100 years later of the plants and trees that were initially planted. A dozen century-old trees were removed in recent years because of disease or instability. The double orange day lilies with the furled edges now located near the alley are likely from the early 1900’s.
In 1927, the garden arbor and fence was constructed. It remains a focal point of the Southern part of the property. There was an underground watering system, which appears to have been installed with the arbor. The wooden structure is a maintenance challenge as it must be repaired and painted often. Many neighbors have photographed and copied the structure to build something similar in their own backyards.
The enormous rhododendrons were planted by Olive and Donald Stoner, who purchased the property and moved in with their three children in 1952. The flowering evergreen bushes are a focal point of the landscaping near the Inn and South Street entrances. The huge fuchsia, purple, pink and white blooms appear each May. The stunning flowers can be enjoyed from the large side porch (we call it the Purple Porch) and viewed through many of the inn windows.
Dawn, a Master Gardener, has enjoyed working each garden plot on the property. She designed and enhanced the gardens that flank the inn’s entrance over the last ten years. From April through October, flowers emerge in a lush bed of hostas, bellflowers, asters, and variegated liriope with the green rhododendrons providing a backdrop. We added a bubbling fountain that is very pleasant to hear when sitting on the porch.
In Spring and early Summer of 2020, Dawn re-designed the four beds surrounding the garden arbor and fence. The design features sun-loving perennials of various textured leaves that bloom with bright, happy colors. Each month a new plant seems to burst forth with a “WOW!” for the garden onlooker to enjoy.
Bruce planted roses near the garage in June 2020. He has a treasured memory of his grandfather’s beautiful yellow roses and wanted to plant some of his own. Also, this year Bruce built two raised bed gardens for herbs, edible flowers. and vegetables. Bruce’s mother, Ethel, moved to Carlisle in February and she has her own small garden bed a few feet off the ground. Dawn and Ethel have really appreciated the beds for growing vegetables! They are beautiful enhancements to the garden that are easy to maintain.
A main area of the gardens is the kitchen garden. The fresh-grown produce tends to be a highlight of the home-cooked breakfasts! By using fresh veggies and herbs from the gardens, Dawn and Bruce create a delicious and local experience for guests! The seeds begin as seedlings purchased at a LEAF (Leadership, Education, and Farming) spring sale and nurtured throughout the growing season. Dawn and Bruce are supporters of LEAF and receive a weekly farm share during the summer season. Recently, Dawn has been loving to use Nasturtium flowers as edible decorations! The plants’ bright colors and fragrant herbs help liven up the tasty plates.
Harley Reagan has recently added to the storied history of the gardens. Harley has worked at Mooreland Garden Inn for many years and has been an important part of lawn care, cleaning, and gardening for the property. With the help of Dawn, Harley helped to establish and create the entrance gardens – now known as “Harley’s Garden.” To commemorate his efforts, a black metal sign signifies that the entrance gardens were named in honor of Harley during a celebration for his college graduation in April 2024.
The gardens are constantly evolving, and ever improving. The newest project Bruce and Dawn are undertaking is a statement fountain. The fountain will be built as a focal-point to the beautiful gardens, and is being designed by Bruce himself! Once the new fountain is built, it will add to the calming tranquility of the gardens and the Inn itself!
In addition to the fountain feature, Dawn is working on redesigning the Arbor and South Street Gardens, including a prominent Wisteria Arbor. For Dawn, gardening is a creative outlet, and so it is her passion to engage in new projects and designs! A few years ago, a neighbor, Mona Steele, left a potted slip of wisteria on the porch after Dawn casually mentioned she wanted to grow wisteria. The wisteria is thriving even without support. Hopefully the “Monet Arbor” will be constructed soon–one of many projects in the works.
The Gardens at Mooreland Garden Inn are a crucial part of the Inn’s identity and the guest’s experience! The beautiful, calming gardens are different in every season, so make sure to visit to see the newest additions!
We look forward to sharing our beautiful gardens with you!
