CONTACT: Jen Martin, Marketing & Events Coordinator, Office of Special Events, 301-228-2844
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 24, 2006
GARDENS NAMED FOR SPRING GARDEN TOUR
The 2006 “Beyond the Garden Gates” Garden Tour features eleven of Frederick’s finest private gardens, and three spectacular public gardens, and is sure to inspire your green thumb! The tour will be held in Frederick, Maryland on Saturday, May 20th and Sunday, May 21st, from 1 to 5 p.m., rain or shine.
The event will appeal to everyone, from the novice gardener to the seasoned pro. This year’s tour showcases a variety of gardening styles, from cottage-style charm to Oriental-inspired elegance, to Southern-infused comfort.
The gardens for this year’s tour follow:
The Garden of Christina Lund
616 Trail Avenue
This cottage-style garden is a true gem not to be missed. A slate walkway winds through the garden and among the many varieties of plantings, including climbing hydrangea, nandina, oak leaf hydrangea and Dragon Lady Holly. A fishpond with a small waterfall adds a touch of whimsy, as does the pergola built off of the garage. Take a few moments to note the before and after photos of these two projects, both completed single-handedly by the owner.
The Market Street Garden & The Director’s Rose Garden
The Federated Charities of Frederick
22 South Market Street
Two distinctive gardens can be found at this location, one an original “postage stamp” style garden and the other a secluded niche tucked behind the building. The Market Street Garden, situated along the side of the building, is reminiscent of the Greek revival style of the residence itself. The Director’s Rose Garden can be found in the rear of the building. Volunteers will be available to help direct you to this space.
Heritage Garden
Historical Society of Frederick County
24 East Church Street
This garden draws upon a unique ambience and historical setting to create an urban oasis in the heart of downtown Frederick. Featuring elegant period flower gardens bordered by a handsome brick path, a large open grassy area, stately trellised arbor and a new catering shed, the garden doubles as a community-gathering place and outdoor classroom. This year’s theme for the demonstration garden is “the language of flowers” to complement the wedding exhibit “Down the Bridal Path.”
The Garden of Mike Winder
136 East Third Street
This casual hideaway allows the owner to enjoy the excitement of downtown living, without sacrificing the beauty and relaxation of suburbia. Not originally from Frederick, the owner has infused his garden with plants and trees that remind him of his home in Seattle. Lovely rhondodendreus and a Blue Atlas tree serve as daily reminders of his native state of Washington. Serving as focal point to the space is a towering birch tree, offering both shade and a touch of intimacy to this garden.
The Garden of Joe & Francina Baldi
134 East Third Street
A truly family-centered space, this elegant garden uses a variety of Japanese ornamental trees, grasses and rocks to create a particularly soothing atmosphere. The unique and simple plantings selected by the owners provide year-round interest and a peaceful blending of texture and shade. Visitors should look for the Blue Atlas Cedar, which has been trained into a curve, the Harry Lauder Walking Stick and the Japanese Stewartin while enjoying this peaceful space.
The Garden of Dave & Pat Franz
132 East Third Street
Relaxation and leisure is key to this casual garden situated along one of Frederick’s most historic downtown streets. Behind the gate bordering Austin Alley visitors will find a variety of treasures, including a Horse Chestnut tree approximately 100-years old. A weekend oasis for the owners who spend the majority of their time at their primary residence outside of downtown Frederick, this garden boasts a lovely Dogwood tree, red Canna, hostas, lilies and Stone Crop.
The Garden of Jim & Kathy Moloney
130 East Third Street
This functional garden is enjoyed year round by the owners, their family and friends. Spring and summer allow for outdoor dining and relaxation in this space that provides both ample shade and lovely sun. Fall and winter is ideal for taking advantage of the owners’ spa. Dominating the garden is a Northern Horse Chestnut that has resided in this space for over one hundred years and offers shade to four yards. Mature boxwood, acuba, magnolia, holly and spruce provide welcome privacy to this garden that lies just beyond one of downtown’s busiest streets.
The Garden of Cynthia Wilcox & John Borgersen
128 East Third Street
Originally a formal garden, the owners have since molded this intimate space to fit their own casual style. Espaliered fruit trees and magnolias provide welcome shade at the back entrance, as does the 25-year old wisteria growing over the arbor. While enjoyment can be found throughout this space, the owners find that their favorite spot is in the back of the yard where slate stepping-stones allow them to be a ‘part’ of the garden as opposed to a simple observer.
The Garden of Allen & Denise Flora
126 East Third Street
Sentimental touches abound in this garden that mixes the casual with the formal. Visitors will note the Flowering Almond that was a memorial gift for a member of the owners’ family. The post for the clematis also holds a special place in the owners’ hearts; it is the last remnant of their daughter’s playhouse. True garden enthusiasts, the owners have dedicated several areas as cutting gardens, allowing them to enjoy fresh flowers inside their home throughout the spring and summer.
The Garden of Betty Longenecker
124 East Third Street
Colonial Williamsburg is the inspiration for this casual garden filled with picturesque spaces. Visitors will step through the gate and be greeted by Wild Ginger in a raised bed and Forsythia trailing over a neighboring wall. Lovely pink Dogwood blossoms and fragrant Lilac are some of the owner’s favorite signs of spring in this orderly garden. A playful bird feeder and birdbath add a touch of whimsy to the garden, while the Climbing Hydrangea on the patio offers year round enjoyment for the owner.
The Garden of Tom & Karen Keller
404 West Second Street
A mix of the formal and the whimsical accent this backyard haven. Bordering the rear of the property is a formal rose garden surrounded by boxwoods. Contrasting the rose garden is a playful fishpond and waterfall, one of the owner’s favorite areas in the garden. Large rhododendron grow along the left side of this space, with beautiful Lady Jane magnolia stretching along the back wall of the home.
18th Century Heritage Garden
Schifferstadt Architectural Museum
1110 Rosemont Avenue
Step back to the 18th century in this heirloom garden highlighting traditional vegetation and herbs used by German settlers. Beautifully raised flowerbeds and local stone paths add to the nostalgic charm of this space. Take note of the many varieties of roses throughout the garden, including the Maiden Blush, Burgundian Rose and Apothecary Rose. The garden and attached museum host educational tours on composting, herbal remedies and culinary history throughout the year. Stop in for light refreshments as this is the Hospitality Center.
The Garden of Mary Ann & Bill Simmons
6620 Ashford Lane
Designed in 1989 by Landscape Architect William Gould, the space incorporates many pieces from the owners’ past. Two boxwood were first planted by the owner sixty years ago, and have been transplanted to each home he has lived in since. Both spacious and inviting, this half-acre garden boasts seven oak trees, one of which is a Wye Oak, a screened porch, multiple seating areas and a fish pond.
The Garden of James and Tamara Shoemaker
8219 Skipwith Drive
Southern infusions flourish in this family-friendly garden. Varieties of boxwood, magnolia, hydrangea and crepe myrtle can be found throughout the space, with a dawn redwood tree and a dwarf willow commanding attention at the rear of the yard. The owners particularly enjoy peaceful afternoons reading under the willow tree and watching their children explore and play in this truly remarkable space.
As you’re wandering through each garden, take a minute to watch the local artists who will be creating their own vision of the space.
Tickets for the tour, which is held rain or shine, cost $15 per person and are available May 1st at the following locations:
The Delaplaine Visual Arts Education Center, 40 South Carroll Street, 301-698-0656
Flights of Fancy, 20 East Street, 301-663-9295
The Grapevine, 117 East Patrick Street, 301-663-3920
The Schifferstadt Museum, 1110 Rosemont Ave., 301-663-3885
Tourism Council of Frederick County Inc, 19 East Church Street, 301-228-2888
Since all of the gardens featured on the tour are provided courtesy of the homeowners or business owners, proper garden tour etiquette is requested. This includes remaining on paths or following directions through the gardens as indicated by the hosts. In addition, please refrain from wearing high-heeled shoes or pushing strollers in grassy areas. This will help to preserve the beauty of the gardens that the owners have worked so diligently to provide for the tour. Parents are asked to prevent children from picking flowers.
The 2006 Garden Tour Committee of Celebrate Frederick and Taskers Chance Garden Club organized this year’s tour. This event would not be possible without the generous financial contributions made by the following community-minded businesses: Spires Sponsors - Bechtel Foundation, Cellular One, Drees Homes, Sandy Spring Bank, Spectrum Federal Credit Union and Weis Markets; Carillon Sponsors – Adelphia, COMSTAR Federal Credit Union, Roy Rogers-A Plamondon Co., and The Frederick News-Post; Bandshell Sponsors – BB&T and the Frederick Arts Council.
For more information, please call The City of Frederick Office of Special Events at
301-600-CITY (2489) or visit www.CelebrateFrederick.com.
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