For date day last week we bought tickets for the secret gardens of the Kennebunks tour which was a fundraiser for the Kennebunkport library.
Basically, 6 homeowners opened up their gardens to the public for the day. It was so much fun, I’m already looking forward to going again next year.
When we bought our tickets we had no idea where the homes would be, but were told we could pick up our maps to the properties at the elementary school at 10am on Saturday.
It was pouring rain that morning so I was a little worried the tour would be canceled. But by around 11:30 or so the rain had stopped and we were on our way.
The tour itself was lovely. I mean really, who wouldn’t love being able to take a peek into the backyards of 6 fabulous gardens?
2 of the gardens really stood out to me though and deserve a post of their own, so be on the lookout for those soon. One of the gardens had a ton of irises woven into their landscape. The HH loved it!
And the secret service was even at one of the gardens we visited! This garden tour was so much fun, I loved seeing all the different ways the various gardeners had their flower pots filled too.
I don’t know why, but I think that was one of my favorite parts. Container gardens and walkways, I just can’t get enough of them.
And borders. I love a good border of flowers too. Especially ones that are a mix of perennials and annuals.
Just look at the patina on that pot!
I should know the name of this plant… Help me out. Is it yarrow? I just LOVE the bright pink color.
After seeing so many different shades of butterfly bushes in peoples gardens, I’m beginning to wonder if maybe we should plant a few in ours.
I had totally forgotten about sedum plants and how well they do here in New England. I’m going to have to add those to my short list as well.
Does anyone know what this plant is? I know it starts with an “a” but I can’t remember the name. The lady in front of me told me the name but I totally forgot.
Other people’s gardens sure are a joy to look at. I may not be interested in weeding a giant yard anymore, but whoa Nellie, they are lovely to wander through.
~Mavis
P.S. What’s blooming in YOUR garden these days? Anyone try anything new this year? I’d love to hear about it.
Gardengoddess42 says
The plant beginning with ‘a’ is an astilbe.
Lovely gardens in this post.
I am currently in England and planning a visit to the Highclere Castle gardens at the beginning of August. Definitely looking forward to that!
Chris says
Astilbe. A lovely way to spend a day.
Nancy says
How perfectly lovely! Thank you for sharing. The flower is an astilbe.
Nancy Settel says
Yes the pink flower is yarrow (the first one you asked about) and the other is astilbe. Beautiful gardens, I adore big full pots of flowers and lots of garden walks.
Tisha says
The first bright pink plant you asked about is yarrow. Lovely gardens!
Christie says
I’m wondering how many of the gardens were actually cared for by the homeowners. It can be easy to have a beautiful garden when you have a landscaping team who cares for it. I prefer the homegrown version and the grit that goes with it.
Happy to see you are settling in and exploring around your new town. Congrats on the new house!
Brianna says
Be careful with butterfly bush! It is considered invasive here in northern VA, so check with the county extension office. The previous homeowners planted 3 of them and I am carefully ripping them out this fall, they are definitely not ‘sterile’ and I have pulled up many weeds that have been little butterfly bushes this year (2nd summer in the house). They are pretty, but will go to the landfill specifically to be burned and not put in the compost. Mine are between 3-6’ tall and 4-8’ wide and only a few years old as the house was built in 2020. Massive and overtaking everything and prolific seed droppers.
Peg says
I’ve read that butterfly bush can be invasive. I don’t know if that’s true, but maybe anything can be if conditions are right. We live in a part of the country where it’s incredibly dry (remember Wyoming, Mavis?) so I don’t think it’s an issue here.
Susan says
Lovely gardens!! My husband & I have tossed around the idea of getting rid of the front yard and landscaping it instead of grass. This post definitely gets my mind rolling on what we’d want to include!
My garden is berry heaven right now. Early raspberries and Tay berries are wrapping up. Blueberries and Goji berries are going strong. Boysenberry, black berries and a mystery berry are ripening now. Any my tiny alpine strawberries are still going. (I wouldn’t way strong, I get about 4 berries every 3 days and they’re the size of my pinky nail)
Teri says
Beautiful photography Mavis! Thanks for sharing!
debbie in alaska says
reminder if you have an iPhone you can take a photo of a flower or plant and then click the little icon on the bottom of the photo (i) and it will tell you what the plant is. I assume you are using your phone to take photos so you an do it on the spot. If you don’t have an iPhone I know there are free apps that do this as well
J in OH-IO says
So pretty, thank you for sharing! Love virtually taking a stroll through the gardens with you and HH.
After the sedum photo- does anyone know the name of the purple spikey flowers in the lower right side of the photo? Is it a type of hosta? This is the photo where there is a stone wall and gravel area and then in the lower right hand side green leafed plant with spikey purple flowers.
Yvonne says
Hi, I think that is a wood betony plant. I have two out front and took a pic for info..
Here is what I think you are referring to
https://www.uaex.uada.edu/yard-garden/resource-library/plant-week/wood-bentony-06-19-2015.aspx
Rebekah says
Liatrus
Yvonne says
I believe that is wood betony. If you look up that name it will show you the plant I think you are referring to.
J in OH-IO says
Yvonne, Thank you I have never heard of a wood betony! I appreciate the reference link, too.
PSUCHIC06 says
The pink is yarrow!
And wowza! So.mich love & time in those gardens…truly an oasis from the rat race for the property owners!
Nancy D says
Astilbe?
Julie says
Yes, the a one is astilbe
Linda Sand says
I had a friend who was a master gardener in Minnesota. Right after Christmas, when our grounds tend to have deep snow, she’d go around and collect Christmas trees left at the curb. She’d stick them in her snowbanks until the spring thaw then she’d haul them down to the nearby creek for the raccoons to enjoy.
One year a group of us went to the state fair. She never bought any food. She just kept pulling fresh fruits and vegetables from her pack and eating them.
I miss her.
Karen says
The “a” flower is astilbe.
Sue S. says
It’s astilbe and it’s a shade loving plant. I have lots growing in urns which I overwinter under my dryer vent. You can divide it too. You can’t really harm it. Mine are probably 10 years old now. And let me guess, the zsecret Service were at the Bush compound in Kennebunkport. What a spot isn’t it.
Gigi says
The weeding trick I’ve learned is to plant a lot of plants and put them close together. The less open space the fewer weeds will grow. There will always be some, but significantly less and take less time to weed.
Many of my neighbors went cheap on the quantity of plants and now they grow mostly weeds. Here’s your excuse to mow less grass and buy more plants.
Jeri says
Such beautiful gardens! I’m glad the rain stopped so you were able to enjoy them. Was one of the gardens at the Bush family compound? Just curious since you mentioned that the Secret Service was there, too!