Mooreland Gardens
The Mooreland Restoration Garden Club (MRGC) is a group of volunteers dedicated to the restoration of the gardens and grounds of the Mooreland estate. This complements the mansion in its revival as a community education, business retreat and reception/party center. To learn more about the history of Mooreland, visit https://lakelandcc.edu/web/about/history-mooreland.
Becoming a volunteer automatically includes membership benefits! No gardening experience necessary—our seasoned gardeners eagerly share their knowledge and provide guidance. New volunteers are invited to join us in the gardens and attend our business meetings held at Mooreland Mansion as needed.
Our dedicated members nurture these historic gardens through planting, watering, weeding, and trimming—adapting to modern conditions while preserving the original design integrity.
We welcome helping hands on Thursday and Saturday mornings (9:30 AM to noon) from April through November. Contribute as your schedule allows—every effort makes a difference! Tools are provided, though you're welcome to bring your own. Visitors are always welcome to explore the historic gardens of Mooreland.
We especially invite new members, students seeking community service hours and garden clubs interested in collaborative work sessions. Join us in preserving this living legacy!
The estate's "Mother's Garden" features approximately 1,000 roses on a half-acre plot. Established in 1900 alongside the house, it was likely designed by architect Arthur Oviatt, as indicated by his signature oval design element. Originally, white roses occupied the inner oval with pink roses in the outer oval, surrounded by a privet hedge. Though no original roses or records remain, the garden has been updated with a fountain in the 1926 basin. Today, the MRGC maintains the original color scheme while incorporating disease-resistant, hardy roses suitable for Northeast Ohio. A Rose Memorial/Honorarium program supports the garden's ongoing restoration and maintenance through the purchase of rose bushes by generous donors. Rose Memorials can be purchased via check with the Mooreland Rose Garden Form or online.
Designed between 1901-1906 by an unknown architect, the Formal Garden reflects the transitional gardening styles of its era—combining Victorian geometric patterns with casual English cottage garden elements. This half-acre space was developed alongside the tennis court, with both areas connected by the Changing House within their pillared boundaries. Early photographs reveal bright blue accents including urns, a tiled bench, and wooden trellises. The garden was designed as a room-like space with tall yews creating distinct areas. Though the original bird bath stand remains (the bowl was destroyed in the 1990s), ongoing restoration aims to revive original beds and plantings in today's shadier conditions, adapting with appropriate perennials, annuals, and shrubs while preserving the garden's eclectic character.
This garden began as a tennis court, with original poles still visible today. In 1930, Edward Moore's widow transformed it into a reflective garden with a pond, designed by landscape architects Pitkin & Mott. The garden has been restored according to their original drawings, though photographs show it underwent various changes while maintaining its essential character. Many original trees survive, including fringe trees, lilac, dogwood, inkberry, and deutzia, albeit much larger now. The four quadrants of vinca minor have been restored, along with dwarf barberry along the walkway. Rhododendron, azaleas, and holly have been replanted according to original plans, with some adaptations for today's shadier conditions. Recent restoration work included raising a buried stone wall and replanting it with Flame Azaleas, as well as uncovering various pathways.