Massachusetts Bridge of Flowers

Shelburne Falls Early 20th Century Trolley Bridge

Jan 14, 2008 Georgene A. Bramlage

The Bridge of Flowers in Shelburne Falls, MA, dedicated in 1929, adapted the idea of a New England garden by using a relic trolley bridge. Well worth the visit.

Overview

The Bridge of Flowers in Shelburne Falls, MA revolutionizes the idea of a New England garden, but pays tribute to the concept of Yankee ingenuity, by making-do with materials on hand, invention, improvisation, and adaptation.

History of The Bridge of Flowers

In 1928, residents of the Massachusetts hill towns of Shelburne and Buckland found themselves with a relic - a twenty-year-old, 400-foot concrete trolley bridge spanning the Deerfield River between their towns. From 1908 through 1928, the bridge carried the Shelburne Falls & Colrain Street Railway trolley as it hauled freight between the rail yard in Shelburne Falls and several textile mills in neighboring Colrain. The trolley also carried milk, mail, workers in local mills and residents of the two towns.

Trucks and automobiles gradually took over railway transportation and, by 1928, the trolley railway was gone and the concrete span, useless. Local citizens assumed responsibility for the relic and the idea for a traditional New England perennial flower garden across the bridge was born. Spearheaded by the Shelburne Falls Women's Club, funds were raised and the vision became reality. In 1929, the trolley bridge was reborn as The Bridge of Flowers, the only one of its kind in the world. (Picture #1)

The Bridge of Flowers in the 21st Century

In 1929, operating money for the Bridge totaled about $1000; today, the budget is in the neighborhood of $20,000. The Bridge of Flowers Committee of the Women's Club maintains the garden through donations, memorial gifts and bequests. They rely on local volunteers for help, and employ a head gardener and gardener's assistant. (Picture #2)

Yearly, almost one-quarter million visitors come to visit the bridge and sign the guest book. Over 500 varieties of flowers, vines, and shrubs ensure that from April through October, there is always something blooming in the beds along the 400-foot span.

Visit The Bridge of Flowers

The Bridge of Flowers extends in an east-west direction from the Shelburne side of a bend in the Deerfield River over to the Buckland side. Parking is plentiful and accessible on the Shelburne side, so most visitors enter there. A tiny water feature and information kiosk welcome visitors before they step onto the path across the Bridge.

Well thought-out use of plants and artifacts creates structure in what appears at first to be an informal hodge-podge of colorful flowering plants. There are hardy flowering bulbs in spring and familiar annuals and perennials all through the summer on the Bridge.

However, warm sunny days, cool nights and a decreasing sun angle combine to produce radiant autumn colors. Here are some prominent plants that contribute to the autumn display:

Vines cover the bridge railings and irrigation system (Picture #3) and soften the outside of the concrete span:
- Parthenocissus spp. (creepers and ivies)
- Clematis ternflora (sweet autumn clematis)

Perennials and annuals fill beds on both sides of the bridge path:
- Physostegia virginiana (obedient plant)
- Perovskia atriplicifolia (Russian Sage)
- Sedum 'Autumn Joy' ('Herbstfreude' Stonecrop)
- Boltonia asteroides ('Snowbank')
- Asclepias tuberosa (butterfly milkweed)
- Mandevilla x amoena 'Alice Dupont' (Mandevilla, Pink Allamanda)(Picture #4)
- Dahlia 'Evangeline'

Small trees and woody ornamentals bring height to the flower bed design and raise it above the river and bridge span:
- Rosa cultivars (shrub roses) hardy for cool climates
- Cotinus coggygria (purple-leaf smoketree)(Picture #5)
- Malus cultivars (crabapples)

Middle of the Bridge
- Wisteria sp. growing on upright supports as well as bridge rails, an American flag, alamp post, a low granite bench, and a war memorial define the middle of the bridge. This arrangement draws attention from anyone happening to glance toward the bridge or walking on the bridge path. It invites a lingering visit.

More Photos of The Bridge of Flowers
- Cave Hill Gardens Blog

A few more photos of

The copyright of the article Massachusetts Bridge of Flowers in Landscaping is owned by Georgene A. Bramlage. Permission to republish Massachusetts Bridge of Flowers in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Bridge of Flowers viewed from Buckland Side	Bridge of Flowers Gardener Trimming Trees	Bridge of Flowers Irrigation System
Bridge of Flowers Mandevilla 'Alice du Pont'	Bridge of Flowers Purple-leaf Cotinus and Boltonia