Flora to Feast in Norfolk June 23

On Saturday, June 23 from 11 am to 4 pm there will be a garden tour in Norfolk of five unique northwest Connecticut gardens followed by a cocktail hour, dinner and silent auction all to benefit the Norfolk Curling Club.  The Garden Tour is $30, the dinner is $30, a combo ticket is $50 and available from  www.norfolkcurlingclub.org.

Gardens featured include:

Garden at Fernwood (Norfolk) The gardens of this Arts and Crafts-style house built in 1908 have been restored based on original plans. Featured are a formal parterre and magnificent large double border below the west side of the house. Still under development is a half moon of dwarf and semi-dwarf evergreens, created to take advantage of a serendipitous gift of many specimens.

Wood Creek (Norfolk) Classic lines and materials define this 18th century farmhouse garden. Lush grass fills the mowed lawns, the rough-cut apple orchard and the meadows surrounding the property. Ferns and shrubs (notably lilacs) frame the house; the main garden area consists of two stone squares with colorful perennials and herbs. Two large groups of peonies accent a stone wall below the orchard. A new row of apple trees creates an allée leading from the main garden through a pair of granite posts and continues down the hill towards the woods and the beaver pond beyond.

Blueberry Hill (Norfolk) Deceptively simple, this garden is built around existing natural features. A sweep of lawn is defined by a stream on one side and by the house and low stone walls on the other. In the distance lies a fenced vegetable garden with raised beds and a stone barn. A strip of rough grass hosts ferns, a halesia and shrubs. Beds of flowering plants are complemented by a natural area of highbush blueberries interspersed with amelanchier, wild pear, pink azaleas and wildflowers.

The Terraces (Norfolk) Cottage and garden merge into a beautiful setting for entertaining. A small orchard of apples and peaches combine with hedged borders and endless pockets of interesting plants and specimen trees. An arched stone passageway climbs past borders of hellebores and other shade lovers leading to a colorful herb garden at the top.

Garden in the Woods (Southfield) A work in progress, this garden is planted with many interesting perennials, mostly natives. A long, curving bed of wildflowers and a variety of perennials line a stone retaining wall. At the end of the house nearer the road, are two beds planted with shrubs and perennials by Project Native. A plant-lined path provides an impressive view below of the Whiting River rushing along to Campbell Falls.