Cape Cod Hydrangea Society Garden Tour - July 13

Garden#1 Location: West Yarmouth
Linda Coven, owner of Strictly Hydrangeas! is one of the Cape’s leading experts on hydrangeas.  Bursting with blooms, pollinators and whimsy, her oasis it is a sheer delight for the senses. A meticulously maintained emerald carpet of turf welcomes you as perennials dance between the pinks, blues, whites, reds, and purple bloom-laden hydrangeas. Divided into rooms, the various inspiring areas showcase statuary, water features, trellising, hardscaping and slope plantings. Enjoy the terraced garden, a hidden workspace tucked behind a classic Cape Cod shed and this year’s new garden expansion.  Many lovely containers of hydrangeas with underplanted perennials will also be on display; at 11 am and 2 pm each day, Linda will be giving a “Pot-n-Pot” container gardening demonstration. Open: Sunday July 9 & Thursday July 13

Garden #2 Location: Yarmouth
This 1.2 acre property features a stunning planting of 100 H. arborescens ‘Annabelle’ along its 150 foot north border. A variety of other hydrangeas including H. macrophylla, H. quercifolia, H. paniculata, and H. serrata lines the southern border. A 60-foot berm in front of the property contains more than 50 varieties of hosta, fern and other shade-loving plants. A granite staircase and stone walkway from the driveway to the front entrance of the house is planted with a variety of dwarf conifers, creeping juniper, Japanese maples, a weeping Atlas cedar, a larch, various ground covers and other specimen plants. The back of the property is a park-like setting which features a variety of wind sculptures by Lyman Whitaker whose work is represented in galleries throughout the U.S. and abroad. Ample parking is available on Keveney Lane.
Open: Sunday July 9 & Thursday July 13 

Garden #3 Location: Yarmouth Port
Mal “The Hydrangea Guy” and Mary Kay Condon were commercial hydrangea propagators and growers for 40 years and, as one might suspect, this is a very hydrangea-centric site. They continue to tweak their expansive collection of in-ground hydrangeas with container specimens to emphasize this increasingly popular growing technique. H. macrophylla is the dominant species in their gardens, along with H. paniculata and H. quercifolia cultivars. More recently H. serrata and H. arborescens plantings have been added to the mix. The Condons also have a lovely installation of raised beds for growing vegetables and rhubarb as well as a commitment to dahlias. At 11 am and 2 pm each day, they will be detailing their most recent experiences with pinch pruning, container growing and the winter vulnerable H. macrophylla species. Each session will last about 45 minutes.  Parking is good but the road is narrow; please park on the south side of the road, along the conservation property. Open: Sunday July 9 & Thursday July 13

Garden #4 Location: Centerville
Pat McDonald is an avid reader, a retired teacher, a proud mom, and a grandmother of seven, whose extensive and ever-changing gardens reflect these life experiences.   Throughout her property she magically illustrates many children’s literature themes through her choice of plantings and garden art.  Her Snow White moon garden features both Annabelle and Nikko Blue hydrangeas and her shady Harry Potter firebox gathering area is home to hosta, astilbe, ladies’ mantle and more.  Watch out for surprises in her mature perennial beds as they Make Way for Ducklings, Mary's little lambs’ ears, and even the Three Little Pigs.  A sensory rainbow garden, next to a rose garden, boasts colorful lilies, tasty nasturtiums, and other fragrant plants to delight the senses.   Lower-level gardens include annuals for cutting; native flowers grown from seedlings; four raised beds of organic vegetables and herbs; blueberry bushes; pumpkins and Jack's beanstalks. Open: Thursday, July 13

Garden #5 Location: Barnstable
If you embrace the beauty inherent in imperfection, you will enjoy this garden.  The owners built their home over 40 years ago and the gardens have evolved in both areas of bright sun and deep shade.  Newer rock retaining walls provide structure to a previously difficult hill. A red maple offers a shady canopy for a serene palate of hostas while astilbes add contrast when their wispy stalks bloom. The bright, rich colors of the sun loving plantings keep surprising as daylily, coneflower, phlox, daisy, hibiscus, and liatris burst with vivid colors combinations.  Stands of heirloom hydrangeas have been augmented through the years by newer varieties with wonderful colors, shapes and sizes which have proven easier to maintain.  Glowing Embers, Tuff Stuff, Let’s Dance and Bobo varieties are favorites with young Pinky Winky trees and white flowering Fairytrail Bride cascading hydrangeas showing promise after surviving their first winter. Open: Thursday, July 13 & Friday, July 14

 The proceeds from this garden tour will benefit the Cape Cod Hydrangea Society. Admission: $5 per garden. Rain or Shine. Pay cash at the door.