In 1927-28, Alvan T. Fuller commissioned Arthur A. Shurtleff (name later changed to Shurcliff) to design a garden on the west side of Willow Avenue, and just in back of the house itself.
A copy of the plan, entitled "Existing Conditions", indicates there was an existing garden before this date, as were the present stonewalls, were Shurtleff later designed and placed the main oak entrance gate. The Carriage house existed (circa 1890) as well as the present driveway going all the way to Ocean Boulevard. (If one looks over to the field they can spot the old path of this driveway) There is also evidence that the present Japanese Garden (at least the pond and a few shrubs) was there before Shurtleff began his designs. In 1930 Cherry Hill Nurseries designed and installed the "side garden" which is a rose garden laid out in a circular patter of rose beds, between which are grass pathways, surrounding a central antique well head. The garden is enclosed by a Privet hedge and a cedar fence upon which are trained espaliered apples. A plan of the ‘Side Garden’ by Cherry Hill Nurseries indicates there were two greenhouses in 1930.
In 1938, Alvan Fuller contacted the Olmstead Brothers Firm of Boston. Fuller wanted the Front Garden to be more of a ‘showpiece’, whereas many people walked by and admired it, and less of a ‘cutting garden’, where its beauty was ‘robbed’ by constant removal of the flowers. Leon H. Zach, a partner in the Olmstead Firm reports on the meeting with Alvan Fuller in April of 1938: "Mrs. Fuller (Viola) does not go into the garden more than three times a year and Mr. Fuller not more than half a dozen times, but they both get a great deal of pleasure looking from their bedroom windows over the road into the garden, seeing a great deal of people, especially weekends enjoying it’s charm. The garden is known to be open at all times and apparently there has been little if any abuse of this privilege. Mr. Fuller wants the garden design revamped so that even more color can be seen from the road as you drive by." Leon H. Zach seems to have been responsible for the majority of the redesign of the front garden, as well as the work out at the Fuller residence.
Edward Brown was the Superintendent (Director) of the gardens from 1935-1943, when he joined the service and again from 1959-1971 when he died at the age of sixty-four. He worked for the Fuller family for forty years, starting in 1926. He was a ‘master gardener’ in the true sense, and his repeated words were, "Take your time and do a good job". With the assistance of his written daily diary and through careful instruction, a continuum was established, carrying on his high quality maintenance standards.
Today, thanks to the Fuller Foundation, the members and other supporters, the Fuller Gardens still represent one of the last working formal estate gardens of the early 20th century. Designed in the Colonial Revival style on a two and one half-acre plot, these Gardens remain a ‘seaside gem’ for the enjoyment of over ten thousand annual visitors. The Gardens are open from mid-May to mid October, seven days a week from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and also host a series of horticultural and educational event throughout the season.
The Gardens are in bloom throughout the season. Beginning with the extensive tulip display in early May, followed by the Japanese Garden and other late spring flowering shrubs and bulbs. The two thousand rose bushes start their season long bloom in late June-early July and continue through October. Unusual and eye-catching annual and perennial plantings, together with a Hosta display garden and Japanese garden are all with in the sculpted hedges.