The Westport Historical Society‘s annual Hidden Garden Tour is always great fun. The properties — when they’re revealed — are spectacular, and well worth the (secret) wait.
In honor of this year’s 25th annual event (Sunday, June 12, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.), organizers have chosen 6 extra-special gardens. Several are “back by popular demand” — both because of their beauty, and so tour-goers can see how they’ve evolved.
One small portion of one amazing garden.
There are 2 properties on historic Compo Mill Cove — accessible only by footbridge, closed to visitors all year long. What the owners have done by the shore — and after Hurricanes Irene and Sandy — must be seen to be believed.
Another garden wraps around an Adirondack-style home. A 4th features over 140 varieties of trees, shrubs, perennials and 5,000 bulbs.
Other gardens are in Greenfield Hill and Southport. The 6-home tour also includes a rose garden of 4 distinct colors; an apple orchard; a squatter’s garden; an abundant raspberry patch, and greenhouse.
But wait! There’s more!
Two days before the Hidden Garden Tour, the WHS hosts a kickoff Garden Party (Friday, June 10, 6 to 9 p.m., Westport Woman’s Club). There’s live jazz, a prosecco, martini and wine bar — and psychic readings.
Hey! Maybe the psychic will tell you which houses are on the garden tour.
Nah. Much better to wait till Sunday, and be surprised.
(Hidden Garden tour tickets are $60 in advance, $70 the day of the tour. Garden Party tickets are $100 in advance, $125 after today [June 8]. All proceeds benefit the Historical Society’s educational and cultural programs. For tickets and more information, click here.)
A festive scene from last year’s Garden Party.
A collage of gardens on tap for Sunday.