Beyond the Garden Gates - 2015

♫Bird Song♫

It's that time of year again....The Frederick Garden Tour. . . .

To enlarge photos, click on them

The weather was threatening rain, but I did not mind because I think that is the best way to see a garden, when it is wet, and the best time to take photographs, when it is cloudy.  When we arrive at the first garden it has started to sprinkle.  We are greeted by this unassuming house in a quiet neighborhood six blocks north of the downtown area where the other gardens we'll be touring are located. . . .

We follow the brick walk off to the left.   There are plantings along the side of the house.  I think this orange flower is particularly interesting. . . .

The gate to the back yard is open.   I can already get a glimpse of the surprises that lie ahead. . . .

This brick archway and cobblestone path invites me to follow it. . . .

Along the way I peek into the rest of the garden. . . .

But the weeping tree over the path with its wet leaves encourages me to turn around and take a different path.  I head back the way I've come. . . .

I cross the bricked terrace and walk down the center path and look back to where I've been. . . .

I hear the water splashing from the fountain.  I'm surprised that the path is not yellow because it leads to the Land of Oz where Dorothy's red slippers await her next to Toto. . . .

I continue down the center path toward the garage at the rear of the garden . . .

I take one last look back at the Land of Oz. . . .

I come closer to the garage and hear the water cascading from another foundtain. . . .

I notice the weathervane on the cupola. . . .

Above my head is a gas-lit lantern. . . .

I head down the path to the right. . . .

And come upon this lovely corner. . . .

I head back to see what is on the other side of the garage and spy this mermaid amongst the flowers on my right. . . .

On my left is a table set for tea. . . .

As I come around the corner I see this topiary horse and notice there is an industrial building across the alley and the garden takes on an even greater presence to me. . . .

I step out into the alley to take a photo of the archway I've just passed through. . . .

Ken asks about the arch and discovers it is a dry stone arch and only the pressure from the other stones is holding it together. . . .

These are the beautiful flowers along the garage. . . .

I must go back to see the table set for tea. . . .

I follow the garden along the fence and find this little treasure. . . .

There are more flower borders tucked along this side of the house. . . .

I see steps leading to another hidden space. . . .

I make my way up the center pathway, not wanting to leave, but there are eight gardens to visit!  This espaliered tree stands against the house next to the back porch. . . .

Even the hand railing up to the porch is whimsical. . . .

As I leave I look around to see if I've missed anything and spy this be-hatted lady. . . .

One last sweet surprise tucked behind the gate. . . .

The next two gardens are side-by-side in a row of townhouses in the historic district.  We begin with the house on the right. . . .

We enter from the back alley.  These owners have lived here 34 years. . . .

From the back you can see just how narrow these two houses are.   There is a boulder fountain on the left.  The deck/arbor has a 20-year-old Wisteria climbing over it.  You can see the twisted trunk along the brick path. .. . .

The fountain is coming out of the boulder. . . .

This is the back corner behind me. . . .

Then we go through the open gate to the neighboring garden. . . .

Very fragrant. . . .

Honeysuckle that has grown into a tree-like structure. . . .

 I like this idea for a border between the paving stones and the brick. . . .

We exit back out into the alley. . . .

This 1859 townhouse is on the next street over where the townhouses are much larger.  We enter the garden through the front gate on the side. . . .

The rack holding the plants on the side porch is a French riddling rack. . . .

One of the volunteer guides enthusiastically brings my attention to this black petunia.  I cannot get enthusiastic over a black flower in a garden. . . .

This is Gia, the owners' Boston Terrier.  She is calmly watching the strangers in her garden.  Her lady-like behavior is accentuated by the pearl necklace she is wearing. . . .

I've only just realized I did not take a photo of the back of the garden.  It was rather uninspiring, but my attention is caught by this lovely basket of flowers tucked in a corner on our way out. . . .

The sun has come out and it is getting hot and humid, so we head in the direction of the Hospitality table at City Hall where water and cookies/brownies await.  But first, there are several stops along the way like these gardens of the Evangelical Lutheran Church.  The church has been a part of the community for 275 years.  Here is a small replica of the church in the garden. . . .

Rose Garden. . . .

Memorial Garden. . . .

Children's Garden. . . .

Garden of Angels. . . .

The tombstones along the wall are originally from a 1700's/early 1800's cemetery. . . .

The next garden is tucked behind this house belonging to the Powells.  You can read a news article about their garden here.  You are only seeing a portion of the house as you will see once you see the garden.   This is the house on the Holiday House tour that I mentioned in my Out and About post for December that has the oldest Gingko tree (214 years old) in the United States. . . .

I walk along the side porch. . . .

The down a path in the middle of the yard towards the garage. . . .

On my left. . . .

Along the back fence. . . .

The other side of the garden looking at the back fence.  The garage is to the right. . . .

The neighbor's garden is across the fence. . . .

Looking back at the house and the Gingko tree. . . .

Several of the houses have artists in the garden. . . .

This next townhouse sits on a very busy corner across from the city park. . . .

We enter the garden from the side and are told this garden was made for the owner's grandchildren. . . .

The statues represent her grandchildren. . . .

I love the periscope perched on the fence spying on the garden. . . .

We leave through the back gate.  You can see the path for the park across the street. . . .

We have two more gardens to see.  One garden is on our way back to the car and the last we'll stop at on the way out of town.  But first, I want to show this "public art space" attached to the door of the 1800's stables that is used as garages now. . . .

The next garden is behind this delightful tea room I featured in January's Out and About post. . . .

We enter through a long corridor between the townhouses. . . .

Until we arrive here where you wait to be seated, but we will come another day when the garden is not being toured. . . .

A Wisteria grows up the neighboring wall. . . .

The last house is in a very tony neighborhood near Hood College, close to downtown and the city park. . . .

I love side gardens!  The only concession, in my opinion, to living in town. . . .

Once through the gate we are greeted by over 10,000 spring bulbs--mostly Spanish Bluebells. . . .

This beautiful rhododendron is along the garage at the back of the garden. . . .

I love the windows in this house. . . .

On the side porch the Master Gardeners Club has their brochures available for interested gardeners.  Since I am a wing-it kind of gardener I am more interested in the calico cat. . . .

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Take Joy!