Feature article published
in the East Bay Papers
Behind the Garden Gate -
The Making of a Garden Tour
~~~
| “...it is an exercise
in juggling a vast array of logistical activities...” |
|
It’s not rocket science, but it’s
not far off. For those who take on the task of designing
a private garden tour, and making it special, it is an exercise
in juggling a vast array of logistical activities, calling
on resources of horticultural knowledge and maintaining
a sense of humor. Such a venture requires a rare ability
to organize an infinite number of details ranging from attending
to the needs of those homeowners whose gardens are the focus
of the tour, whizzing e-mails back and forth to those colleagues
who are handling logistics, public relations, poster and
ticket printing and of course, facilities. But two who have
taken on such a task, Virginia Purviance and Marty Halyburton,
seem to handle it all with grace and aplomb. In fact, they’ve
done it twice. These two women, both successful landscape
gardeners, devote a vast amount of time to bolstering the
success of Blithewold’s newborn management team, Save
Blithewold, Inc. (SBI). And this is their latest donation
to Blithewold’s increasing success.
Purviance and Halyburton have long been staunch
and committed supporters of Blithewold Mansion, Gardens
& Arboretum. Both were instrumental in the birth of
SBI, and now sit on the board. Their energy seems boundless
and immensely creative as evidenced by the outstanding success
of their first fundraising Gala in 1999. “Inside Outside,
Upstairs Downstairs” was a spectacular evening of
dining and dancing under an elegant tented canopy on Blithewold’s
great lawn. They are a unique combination of creative talents.
| When asked why do a garden
tour? Purviance replied “because of the
sheer pleasure of looking at gardens that are
beautiful and well maintained.” |
|
Purviance and Halyburton were the principal
players in the launch of last year’s series of private
garden tours. This was a first for Blithewold and proved
very successful not only as a fund raiser, but also as a
public relations coup. The 1999 three-series tour took place
over the summer, on three separate dates and in three separate
locations: the first in the East Bay and Providence, the
second in South County, and the third in Newport County.
This series of garden tours proved to be so successful it
was decided to go for it again and create a series for 2000,
but in different locales - in Watch Hill and Weekapaug,
RI and Westport, MA.
When asked why a garden tour? Purviance replied
“because of the sheer pleasure of looking at gardens
that are beautiful and well-maintained. We can learn so
much from other people’s gardens. Even if it’s
a fantasy garden, like a huge estate, it’s just so
dreamy...” Of course the dreaminess goes hand in hand
with the problems of scheduling, and of scanning the weather
stations for any potential weather disasters. Hurricanes
and drought are not a plus on a garden tour. “We also
want to spread the word about Blithewold, of course,”
added Purviance. “Introducing people to this treasure
is just so rewarding.”
| “Introducing people
to a treasure is just so rewarding.” |
|
For Halyburton much of the rewards
come also from “the people part of it - people who
share a common interest in and love of gardens and of Blithewold.”
She finds their enthusiasm truly inspirational. The headaches,
however, come in the form of minor details and last minute
chnges. “One of the hardest aspects of organizing
something like this,” says Halyburton, “is finding
enough volunteers to ‘sit’ the gardens. We want
to take care of the gardens and so it’s essential
to have someone on hand to look after them.” She was
very quick to add that anyone reading this article who is
interested in gardening and in Blithewold might find this
an excellent opportunity to both see some lovely gardens
and at the same time donate a little time to a “good
gardening cause.”
Then of course there’s always the painful
problem of culling through so many choices to find only
eight gorgeous gardens out of the many gorgeous gardens
in the area. But both Purviance and Halyburton agreed that
doing the research was not too much of a hardship. Visiting
prospective gardens is important, even in the dead of winter,
and neither wind nor hail has stopped these two intrepid
gardeners from doing this serious research.
| “When else can
one drive into a private home?” |
|
Louis Raymond of Renaissance Gardening, has
also been a tremendous friend to and advocate of Blithewold
for many years, and took equal pleasure in doing a great
deal of the up front research to find the gardens. Raymond
lives in nearby Hopkinton and designs a number of the gardens
in Watch Hill and Weekapaug. In fact, one of the gardens
on the tour is an example of his work. “Doing this
helps me as well,” says Raymond. “I love this
area and I get to drive around and peek into people’s
gardens.” The work gives validity to his driving nonchalantly
up an enticing driveway. “I can always say I’m
looking for the owner. When else can one drive into a private
home uninvited?”
The gardens for Series I, Watch Hill and Weekapaug,
will be open both June 23 and 24, and for Series II in Westport,
MA on August 18 and 19.
Watch Hill and Weekapaug at the southern-most
tip of Rhode Island, in Westerly, are two of the most stunning
areas in an already beautiful state. Those ambitious enough
to make the journey to these gorgeous coastal spots will
be well rewarded as they make their way around the eight
gardens highlighted for this very special private garden
tour. The gardens range from small but abundantly planted
to large and lavishly landscaped. Almost all boast dramatic
water views. Coastal plantings and deer proof plantings
are high on the list of many of the gardens featured.
Many of these ocean-side gardens are designed
to peak in the summer months when the owners are in residence.
Whether it be for the heaths and heathers, the cottage gardens,
or the ocean vistas, visitors will delight at this rare
glimpse of some of Rhode Island’s most sumptuous private
gardens.
Westport, Massachusetts. a beautiful small harbor town in
the southern part of the state that borders Rhode Island
is the location for Series II, later in the summer. These
Massachusetts gardens will be open August 18 and 19. Water
views also play a prominent part in the varied scenic make
up of this area. Gardening and horticulture are primary
past times in this area and visitors are often heard to
comment on the gardens viewed from the road. A private garden
tour, however, gives you the opportunity to peek behind
those garden gates.
Two months can make such a difference in a
garden and the height of summer is a perfect time to see
some of Westport’s most gorgeous gardens as they reach
their peak. The stunning backdrop to many of these gardens
is the beautiful Westport River and surrounding marshlands,
ponds and ocean. A charming moss garden, an iron-fenced
village garden, and glorious rose and vegetable gardens
will inspire all who visit this idyllic part of Massachusetts.
An added bonus for gardeners on the Westport
tour will be the opportunity to visit Quansett Nurseries
in nearby South Dartmouth. Quansett is a wholesale nursery
of New England grown plant material and is not normally
open to the public. Visitors will be able to purchase plants
at wholesale prices.
All gardens on both Series will be open from
10 am to 4 pm. Tickets are limited and advance purchase
is highly recommended. A joint ticket for both Series is
$40 for members of Blithewold and $50 for non-members. Tickets
for a single Series in advance are $20 for members, $25
for non-members, and for a single Series on the day of the
tour the price is $30. Box lunches will be available at
two of the gardens, with a reservation only.
You can set your own pace, leisurely or otherwise,
as the tours are self guided with the help of a detailed
map, which is also your ticket.
For more information on membership, or to
purchase tickets, contact Blithewold at 401-253-2707 or
visit the website at: www.Blithewold.org.
