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Musings: to meditate, think, contemplate, deliberate, ponder, reflect, ruminate, reverie, daydream, introspection, dream, preoccupation, brood, cogitate.

Monday, May 18, 2015

Beyond the Garden Gates - 2015


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. . . .

•*¨`*•. ☆ .•*¨`*•
Take Joy!

16 comments:

  1. I enjoyed going on this garden tour with you. To think of all the long hours and hard work that it took to create theses lovely gardens is amazing. I'm sure you had a wonderful day. My best to you.

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    1. Some of the owners have professional help, but some maintain their gardens themselves.

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  2. Oh what a lovely tour of all of those gardens. I love the green arch with picket fence, I would like an arch like that as our arch that holds a rose & honeysuckle is falling down.
    I would be watching the cat too. How do you keep Poetry in, I am opening our windows just a crack but am worried about George going out. The one time he got out, he froze bless him to the door step & then shot in to the garage which was the nearest open door.
    Enjoy this beautiful day.
    Fondly Michelle

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    1. Hi Michelle, your question about keeping Poetry in made me realize that like European houses you don't have screens either! Here in America screens are the norm because of all the flying insects we have. We even screened in our front porch so Poetry can at least be "outside" in this way. I see her eyeing the door when I let Gabriel out, but she only ran past me once and I caught her. We got her from a rescue organization that had paid for her broken leg to be fixed. She'd come to them as a stray that'd been hit by a car. I had to agree to keep her indoors, but I would have any way because my last cat got attacked by a neighbor's cat in our front yard and been bitten badly. As for George, I don't know what to suggest. If it means never opening your windows you may have to let him be an outdoors cat and hope for the best.....although, after getting frozen to the door step may have cured from going out??

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  3. Wow, what a great tour you took us on. Truly beautiful gardens, in fact quite inspirational.

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    1. That's why I like to go on these tours--to get ideas. I really liked those little cobblestones and am thinking where I might put them!

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  4. That was fun! I love the dry-stacked stone arch and the iron railing twisting in a vine. The Tea room, simply charming.The weather seemed perfect for such a lovely inspiring garden walk. I am having a garden tour here in July, my gardens won't look nearly as tidy as these.

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    1. But, Jeri, yours will give people lots of doable ideas and they won't feel so bad about how untidy their gardens are once they see how yours looks charming.

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  5. "She plants kindness, cultivates family, then gathers love" That is the perfect sentiment for your own gardens, Cathy.
    Thank you for the lovely tour!

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    1. Thank you, Elaine! I thought the same thing.....at least that is my intention. It's hard sometimes to cultivate family when you only have sons, as the adage goes, "a son's a son until he takes a wife".....

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  6. Oh, Cathy, I love when we get to go along with you on a garden tour, especially in the Spring. I just can't get over how creative people are in a garden, maybe even more than they are with home interiors. So much fun to plan out, but obviously a lot of hard work to achieve. I wonder how many hours a week each homeowner spends? I was going to write about what we did landscaping-wise when we moved to our 9 country acres in 1966, but I think I already did. So all I can say is that I can truly appreciate all the effort that goes into a beautiful garden, even a relatively-simple one. And the gardens on your tour were seriously well-planned gardens. My favorites bits were the hostas - I heart hostas - the dry stone arch, the little red wagon and the front porch steps lined with potted plants. This last is so easy to do, yet so appealing. It's just says "Come in and visit a bit..." Oh, I forgot the kitty, and the cafe! Gotta have those too! If I had a house of my own, I would be stealing some major ideas from this post! Thanks again, take care and talk to you soon... :>)

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    1. Janet, I figured you'd be adding something to your file. ☺

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  7. Thank you for taking us along on the garden tour. That was a lot of photos to upload (and take). Some very pretty gardens and good ideas to think about. Wasn't the grandma's garden so special!

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    1. Hi Dotisie. I would have taken the photos no matter what, so being able to share them with everyone "justifies" it. ☺ Actually, knowing I plan to do a post about something forces me to be more present and really see everything in a way that I can tell a story about it. Plus when I do the post I get to experience the afternoon again. So I really appreciate all of YOU for visiting and commenting which adds even more enjoyment! And a little secret.....sometimes I only go places so I can Web Journal (blog) about it. Without you all I'd become a hermit.

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  8. Your Garden tour was amazing, the gardens are so lovely and so unique! Sarah x

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    1. I'm glad you enjoyed the tour! There WERE some wonderful things to see!

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