For Immediate Release
CONTACT:
Deborah Dodds
Stonington Garden Club
[email protected]
914-260-0017
GARDENS BY THE SEA
A Walking Tour of Stonington Village Gardens, June 9-10
STONINGTON, CT (March 2017) -- 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 and Saturday, June 10th. Hosted every three years by The Stonington Garden Club, this
popular event continues to attract close to 3,000 of 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 garden 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 owner’s 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 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.
This year we have a very special addition to the tour-a Celebrity Lecture and Luncheon: “If It's
Worth Doing, It's Worth Overdoing.” Nationally renowned floral designers Kathy Rainer and
Tricky Wolfes will charm and inspire you as they create extravagant masterpieces with flowers in
ways you have never seen before. Join us on Friday, June 9 from 12:30 to 1:30 at the lovely
Stonington Harbor Yacht Club for a light luncheon with wine as this high-energy duo share their
secrets.
Luncheon tickets are $65 each and may be purchased with a Tour Ticket or separately. Seating is
limited, and luncheon ticket orders will be accepted on a first-come, first served basis.
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.
Gardens By The Sea will be open to the public each day from 10 am-4 pm, rain or shine. Tickets
are $35 in advance, and $40 if purchased after June 1 and day of the tour, and are valid both
days. Entrance to the Marketplace does not require a ticket. Free parking is available.
For information and to order tickets visit www.stoningtongardenclub.org or call
860-531-TOUR or email [email protected]. The Stonington Garden Club is a
member of Garden Club of America. The GPS street location for the tour headquarters is 20 High
Street Stonington, CT.
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