Newly open to the public, this secret garden on the property of an Asian-inspired home-goods shop named WA in Provincetown is worth discovering.  You approach it from a long passage between a tall, bordering, cedar fence and a channel of spare, decorative grasses that line the edge of the shop.  Once out back, a red, Asian-style gate with heavy, pivot-hinge, wooden doors announces entry to the shaded oasis.  Stone pavers underfoot and stone-topped perimeter planters set the stage for a raised, goldfish pond and center, wooden platform outfitted with benches.  Potted plants, simple vessels, and elegant statuary complete the tableau 

You almost forget you’re in the middle of a retail environment; the garden ornaments are for sale after all.  Nonetheless, it’s a great example of the hidden potential in many shaded rear yards.  Follow WA’s lead.  Ditch the grass and bark mulch.  Get creative.

by Katie Hutchison for the House Enthusiast

This year’s South End Garden Tour in Boston is fast approaching. Last year I sampled the tour on a balmy summer afternoon with a friend. There will be different gardens to explore in the upcoming tour, but I thought revisiting last year’s highlights might inspire you to check out the event on Saturday, June 21.

I went on the tour in large part to get a better look at the pedestrian-friendly neighborhood of nineteenth century, brick, row houses, with their trademark stone stoops and wrought iron balustrades. I’d heard that it’s a diverse district populated by creative folks, so the varied and imaginative pocket gardens tucked within it, did not disappoint.

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Click on this photo to see it in the note cards/prints gallery.Recommended upcoming New England tours

Newburyport 29th Annual Garden Tour & Plant Sale (Newburyport, MA) Saturday, June 14, 2008 10:00 am -5:00 pm, and Sunday, June 15, 2008 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Guilford Secret Garden Tour (Guilford, CT) Saturday, June 14, 2008 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Newport Spring Secret Garden Tour (Newport, RI) Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, June 20-22, 2008 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

South End Garden Tour (Boston, MA) Saturday, June 21, 2008 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

The Garden Conservancy’s Boston Open Day (Middlesex/Norfolk County, MA) Saturday, June 21, 2008 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Hidden Treasures of the Berkshires Garden & House Tour (Great Barrington, MA) Saturday, July 12, 2008 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Provincetown Art Association and Museum Secret Garden Tour (Provincetown, MA) Sunday, July 13, 2008 10:00 am - 3:00 pm

Camden House & Garden Tour (Camden, ME) Thursday, July 17, 2008 9:30 am - 4:00 pm

Enchanted Gardens of Cotuit (Cape Cod, MA), July  17, 2008 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Private Gardens of the Kennebunks Tour (Kennebunk, ME) Saturday, July 19, 2008 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Mount Desert Island Open Garden Day Tour (Mount Desert Island, ME) Saturday, July 26, 2008 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Thanks to a lead from a garden design ONLINE listing, I recently visited the Berkshire Botanical Garden to see their special event titled “Garden Ornament: Completing the Picture” which is running there through August 31, 2007. Located in Stockbridge, Mass this 15-acre property features 25, residential-scale gardens. Many include buildings in their design, which, as you can imagine, I find appealing. Oh, and yes, there are antique garden ornaments discreetly incorporated into the mix and available for sale. Most are so well placed that I fear once they’re removed/sold at the end of the show, the gardens will be somewhat bereft. They’ll need to title the next event the “Incomplete Picture”.

Meanwhile as a first-time visitor, I began my tour with the display gardens and found several to be compelling.

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Since it’s prime gardening season, I thought I’d share some garden tidbits.

I recently discovered two gardening blogs that are not to be missed:

Garden Rant is primarily produced by and for avid gardeners who possess a healthy sense of fun. Even if you’re merely a garden fan, such as I am, you’re bound to find the site intriguing. Not long ago I was flattered to be invited to post a guest rant. I happily obliged, never one to be short on opinion. Take a look at my rant by clicking here.

garden design ONLINE is another web highlight. Published by a Jane Berger, a landscape designer and journalist, it’s a comprehensive resource for all things garden-related. Visit it once, and you’ll want to add it to your favorites.

Also, an additional up-coming New England garden tour to consider:

Salem Seashore Garden Tour, overlooking Salem Willows coastline (Salem, MA) July 14 & 15, 2007 www.salemgardenclub.com

by Katie Hutchison for the House Enthusiast