How do DINE gardens grow

We’re going to take a break from DINEtineraries this week and move to some exquisite photos of gardens, popping into bloom in #DINEcountry.  With an unusually cold winter and spring, the gardens at the 11 Distinctive Inns of New England are a bit behind, but Mother Nature played catch up for a few days recently and warm sunshine helped to make those gardens pop.  Spring time has definitely come to Northern New England DINE inns, and summer is on it’s way to reaching our Southern DINE members.  Time to start planning your spring and summer getaways to DINEcountry!

As you know, the job of an innkeeper requires multiple skills and multi-tasking.  Little did you know, however, that some of our innkeepers are also talented photographers.  Claudio Latanza, innkeeper and co-owner of the Camden Maine Stay not only maintains beautiful gardens, but he sure knows how to capture the beauty of his flowers in photos.  You’ll see gardens like this as you roam the trails through the extensive gardens here.

Delicate flowers are found throughout the gardens at Camden Maine Stay Inn.

Delicate daffodils and tulips are found throughout Camden Maine Stay Inn’s gardens. Photos by Claudio Latanza.

Fiddlehead ferns at Camden Maine Stay Inn.

Fiddleheads aren’t just pretty in the garden, they are a delicacy on the plate too.

Camden Maine Stay Inn's gardens are filled with beautiful tulips.

Tulips covered in morning dew at Camden Maine Stay Inn.

Moving South and West, we look forward each year to the flowering trees that surround the patio at Chesterfield Inn.  Seemingly flowering a little later this year, they’re just about in full bloom and what a pretty painting in pink they make!  Chesterfield Inn innkeeper, Judy Heuber,  is the accomplished photographer that gets credit for these photos.

Pretty in pink trees surround the patio at Chesterfield Inn.

Pink flowering crab apple trees surround the patio at Chesterfield Inn.

Purple phlox are found throughout the garden walkways at Chesterfield Inn.

Purple phlox line the walkways at the Chesterfield Inn.

It’s only approximately a 45 minute drive from the Chesterfield Inn to the Deerfield Inn, even though three states are involved!  Located just 5 miles from the New Hampshire-Vermont border, from the Chesterfield Inn, head into Vermont then south into Western Massachusetts, where you’ll similarly find beautiful blooms throughout Historic Deerfield.  Innkeeper Jane Howard gets the honors for these beautiful photos capturing the blooms in store for you at the Deerfield Inn.

Lillies of the Valley at Deerfield Inn

Even after a 5-foot wall of water wiped out everything in it’s path with Hurricane Irene in 2011, these delicate Lilies of the Valley have come back to Deerfield Inn.

Lilacs on the front desk at the Deerfield Inn.

Lilacs picked from bushes near the inn are found on the front desk at the Deerfield Inn.

Gardens are tucked between the buildings at the Deerfield Inn.

Look for gardens tucked amidst the buildings at the Deerfield Inn.

And lastly, on Cape Cod, gardens are in full swing.  The Captain’s House Inn started planting a little earlier than its northern colleagues, and as they get ready for the busy summer season in Chatham, gardens take a high priority as photos here were taken by innkeeper and co-owner Jill Meyer show.

Gardens at Captain's House Inn.

Flowering gardens are well underway at Captain’s House Inn.

Heirloom tomatoes being planted at Captain's House Inn.

Lynne Meyer, innkeeper and co-owner James Meyer’s Mom, plants heirloom tomatoes raised on Cape Cod. Look forward to some of these tomatoes on breakfast plates later in the summer.

Water feature at Captain's House Inn.

Everyone loves this water feature at Captain’s House Inn.

This is one of the most beautiful times of year to visit #DINEcountry.  While your gardens may call your green thumb at this time of year, let the Distinctive Inns of New England’s gardens beckon you for a relaxing getaway.  Stay tuned to this blog for more photos from DINE gardens.