Gardens By The Sea Field Trip-June 9th
Gardens By The Sea, a walking tour of a hand-picked selection of private gardens in the village of Stonington, Connecticut is planned for Friday, June 9th. Hosted every three years by The Stonington Garden Club, this popular event continues to attract close to 3,000 visitors throughout New England.
The featured gardens on the tour offer a surprising variety of sizes and styles. They range from a small, intimate “hidden” garden with espaliered plantings along its enclosing fence to a professionally designed garden with wonderful views of the harbor. One garden takes the visitor through a transition from deep shade to full sun. Another is entirely open and flooded with sunlight. And one of the most personal and unusual gardens features a variety of groundcovers, stepping stones and brick work as well as an area for contemplation and mediation.
All of the gardens showcase the owners’ personal taste and flair through the use of decorative stone, fountains, pools and sculpture. Seasonal accents are provided by lush annuals, containers and hanging baskets. Several gardens incorporate pergolas, pavilions, and artfully sited seating areas for the relaxed enjoyment of the rich beauty that Stonington has to offer.
New this year, Artists in the Garden! Visitors to the 2017 Gardens by The Seas Tour will have the unique opportunity to experience gardens as artistic inspiration. Visitors will see a broad representation of local, plein air artists who will be painting in select gardens, weather permitting, to enhance your enjoyment of the tour.
Our tented Marketplace located on the village square will have a variety of vendors and will feature garden accessories, plants, crafts, clothing, jewelry, and home decorating and gift items.
Surrounded by water on three sides, Stonington’s charm began with settlement in the eighteenth century. It is one of the few surviving New England seaside towns that has retained much of its 17th and 18th century flavor. Classic examples of Colonial, Greek Revival and Federal architecture can be enjoyed on a stroll down any of its quiet, tree-lined streets. Today, Stonington is the home of Connecticut’s last surviving fishing fleet, and its lobstermen, fishermen, and yachtsmen can be seen all year entering and leaving its protected harbor.