The Hidden Gardens of Marblehead

By Chester Stentiford

The Hidden Gardens of Marblehead Chester Stentiford

Copyright 2011 All rights reserved by Chester Stentiford

Last night, there came a frost, which has done great damage to my garden.... It is sad that Nature will play such tricks on us poor mortals, inviting us with sunny smiles to confide in her, and then, when we are entirely within her power, striking us to the heart. ~Nathaniel Hawthorne, The American Notebooks

The Hidden Gardens of Marblehead

All text and images by Chet Stentiford A garden awakens in spring, and when the wind blows, and the spring rains fall upon it, leaving it littered with all of natures refuse, yet it appears still beautiful in its natural state, those gardens created by passionate and gifted gardening enthusiasts. Herein is their testimony

Old Town House Built 1727 This project began as an endeavor to share with others a part of this little big town of Marblehead that is often unseen by the passer-by or countless tourists who visit the seaside community each seasonthese are the hidden gardens of Marblehead, Massachusetts. To many of us locals, Marblehead is known as The town you cant get to from here. This community is dappled in history, and a treasured part of the lifestyle of those that live within its limits. It is a town comprised of 19.6 square miles, of which only 4.5 are land and 15.1 are water. Thus it has a special ambiance that remains unseen by the everyday visitors who traverse the twisting lanes and streets of this wonderful community. I began my quest to discover that part of Marblehead secretly tucked away in the private yards and courtyards of what I came to discover are some of the most ardent and devoted gardeners I have ever had the pleasure of meeting during my 30 years as a horticulturist. What follows is a brief synopsis of these special gardens that flourish with charmcreated by the hands of these extraordinary gardening enthusiastsand an individual interpretation of their love of floral display. In the middle of June, I arranged my first Marblehead garden visit and had the great pleasure of touring what I have come to call The home within a garden.

*** The Gardens of Peggy & Michael Schrage I spent nearly three and a half delightful hours at the home of Michael and Peggy Schrage. Their expansive garden overlooks a breathtaking view of Salem Harbors glistening waters and a scenic vista, across the harbor, of Beverly and much of the Cape Ann coastline. From the time I entered their drive, I was immediately taken by some of the most beautiful plant species that filled every nook and cranny of their yard. This garden is a work of art in the making, fashioned over more than 35 years. A continuous work in progress, featuring numerous specimens, of which many are uncommonly found in the average home landscape, this is certainly a labor of love. The garden that the Schrage family has created is truly a magnificent display of beautiful floral expression and texture, and naturalized in such a way that the viewer meanders through never-ending displays of interest from the time one enters, until the time one completes the tour. The Schranges have left no stone unturned. As a designer, I am personally one who follows the concepts of the well-known architect Frank Lloyd Wright, who was not only an architect in his own right, but an imaginative landscape designer as well. Wright was of the belief that architecture and landscape design complete one organic whole, both creating a natural setting where each are necessary to complete and compliment the other. Hence, his classic creation Falling Waters is a home nestled within the lush, wooded Bear Run Nature Reserve, and is a timeless monument to organic architecture and landscaping at its very best. I would add that the Schrages residence is a wonderful expression of the Wright concept of landscape gardening in its entire form and layout, a landscape garden designed to feature a totally different concept at each turn of the path.

Front entrance courtyard front yard garden

An exceptional view of Salem Harbor from the ...

Japanese Umbrella Pine, verticillata

Elderberry, Sambucus nigra, Black Laceciadopitys

I for one gained a great appreciation for what the Schrages have worked at for so many years, a true garden delight. This is a garden that greets each year with new growth and an abundance of color and fragrance worthy to note. With each new day, as the sun rises high above Salem Harbor, you can expect to see Peggy outside removing faded blooms or checking for spaces to fill with new additions to an already beautiful garden.

corner: Fastigiata

Note far right Michael & Peggy Schrage One of Peggys David pinus strobus Austin hybrid Roses

*** The Gardens of Gail Michaud Nearby in Old Town Marblehead, nestled among a lovely splash of textured greenery and a colorful bloom, lies a quaint hidden courtyard garden so inviting I almost expected a waiter to seat me for lunch and offer me a wine list to choose from.

Never have I seen a garden like this that serves for both beauty and functionality so well. With her talent for design and artistic achievement, Gail Michaud has blended every detail to accommodate her familys need for an outdoor room of relaxation and family living, while introducing some extraordinary plant selections that draw the eye to every aspect.

The well laid out brink walk to the front entry

The front entry brick walkway provides for easy access to her home, while plants line the path with shade and color. I love the layout and effect of the stairway, plenty of space proportional to the entry and accessible from all directions. Its perfect for its inviting and welcoming feel.

Since the home is situated within the closeness of Old Townwhere homes are still arranged as they were in the early days when Marblehead was a fishing villageshe has brilliantly selected higher growing evergreens to create privacy from the town sidewalk that lies just outside. This is a perfect use of hardscaping combined with plant material to give that natural feel to the landscape. I like it.

Wild Ginger, Asarum canadense & Golden Japanese forect grass, Hakonechloa macra aureola

No garden is complete without the use of ground covers to bring it together. Here, under the canopy of a four-leader Birch, of such magnitude that one needs only to look skyward to view this gorgeous specimen tree, we find a perfect use of wild ginger, Asarum canadense, a North American native with medium, green downy leaves. It requires regular moisture to look its best. It has better heat tolerance than European wild ginger. As a ground cover it is an excellent substitute for the commonly used Vinca minor or Pachysandra terminallis, ground covers that fills so many gardens today. Though Vinca and Pachysandra are a perfect and hardy choice, one cannot ignore the use of something different and unusual to compliment a garden of such unique design. For Gail, wild ginger is it.

View of Gail's yard from the west

Viewing the yard looking east, one can appreciate this naturalized garden setting, its flowing stonewall and well integrated space for family living. The small shed provides space for storage of garden tools as well as winter storage of garden furniture and the outdoor grill. On the sidewall of the shed nearest the flagpole is an espaliered pear that combines three varietiesBosc, Bartlett, and DAnjouproviding for perfect cross-pollination, a lovely compliment to the space. As this specimen matures, it will provide the family with excellent edible fruit during the late summer months.

Espaliered pear

Note the bird house perfectly situated among the tree line While taking in everything that captured my eye, I couldnt pass up this photo. What bird wouldnt want to call this home? Here along the back border, a birdhouse perched among the tree line is an inviting place to attract wildlife into this small sanctuary of peace and solitude. The tranquility of this tastefully executed courtyard garden captures the essence of fine garden design at its best. I tip my hat to you, Gail!

The yard looking west from the shed area. Note the Arctic Beauty Kiwi, Actinidia kolomikta draping the side yard fence for privacy

Close up of Arctic Beauty kiwi

Lobster traps and buoys add a whimsical touch After spending quite a bit of time walking through this quaint little garden, I cant resist sharing this photo of what Marblehead was once all about, and in some cases still is: Today, people in Marblehead still go down to the sea in boats and make a livelihood from the quiet blue waters of this bustling yet serene little village. Gails son makes a part-time living from lobstering, and what better place to store his traps and buoys than on this beautiful brick drive? I think this captures the nature of Marblehead from its yesteryear magnificence. I have discovered that Marbleheaders to this day still realize and appreciate the history of their town, and continue to keep the traditional appeal of what it has been for so many years. How can you change something so beautiful? Personally, I wouldnt change a thing.

***

The Gardens of Betsy & Gary Spiess I've been told that charm and beauty in garden design come from the minds eye. Someone who can visualize and bring to life a sense of natural balance and intrigue sets aside all sense of logic and allows the imagination to recreate what nature intended. The home landscape of Betsy and Gary Spiess is just such a garden. This is a garden of natural balance and rare creativity that expresses natures course, almost as if it happened on its own. Though we know it is the hard work of the Spiess family, this seaside garden seems to grab you the instant you view the magnificent weeping blue atlas cedar, Cedrus atlantica 'Glauca pendula, that forms a natural arch leading you to the front entry of the home. I am amazed at the thought of the dazzling effect this mature specimen might have on anyone visiting the Spiesss home. This is truly a very special feature in a landscape that abounds from every slope, valley, and flatland within its parameters. I spent a delightful afternoons visit with Betsy and Gary and basked in the magnitude of such mature specimens that appeared from every angle of their yard, from their weeping blue atlas cedar to their amazing Cryptomeria, Cryptomeria japonica 'Yoshino.' Cryptomeria is native to Japan and is somewhat tender in our northeastern climate, yet in this garden, the plants survive with hardly a blemish on their graceful foliage.

Built in 1880 by Benjamin Crownenshield, the home of Betsy and Gary Spiess is such a perfect seaside home with the grandest of views.Betsy and Gary Spiess admiring the blue atlas cedar, Cedrus Atlantica, 'Glauca Pendula,' that crowns the entrance to their home

Common thorn-less locust, Gleditsia tricanthos

One of the largest Jack-in-thePulpit I have ever seen

Seasonal perennial border designed for color throughout the year Perennials make their debut each spring soon after the last of the winter snow has disappeared. Betsy has combined numerous colors and textures to add variation to this wonderful, perennial border. Such an extensive variety of plant material captures the eye perfectly.

Cryptomeria, Cryptomeria japonica, Yoshino

Picea pungens glauca Fat Albert & Oxydendron arboretum Sour Wood

Native to Japan and India as well, the Cryptomeria is a most graceful specimen used most commonly in Japanese gardening. Part of the Cypress family, Cryptomeria includes only one species, that of Cryptomeria japonica. Under ideal conditions, this tree can reach a height of 230 feet and a trunk diameter of 13 feet. Though quite a specimen, it is doubtful we will see this one reach its largest mature state in this climate. Just to the left of the Fat Albert Spruce is one of the finest, mature specimens of Oxydendrum arboretum, or Sour Wood, I have seen. Covered in the most gorgeous panicles of florets, this tree stands out among the best ever. It truly is a rare find at this maturity level. After visiting with the Spiess family, I left with a sense of pride in choosing the field of my career. The past thirty years has given me some of the greatest challenges I have ever undertaken and accomplished with success.

*** The Gardens of Dorothy Creamer Heading westward out of town, I visited one of the most charming cottage gardens tended by a delightful lady, a native of Marblehead for over fifty years. The garden of Dorothy Creamer was simple and charming to say the least. To me, this is a garden that reflects a Marblehead of old. My time spent with Dorothy was not only a time of viewing a garden, tucked away from the busyness of town, but an escape from the happenings of everyday life, of business, recreation, and the usual running around we do to get things done. I spent such a wonderful time sharing a part of her lifes story and a tender part of this womans life. The richness of our conversation was astounding as she reminisced and shared with me how she was originally a native of New York City, living in a home built by her grandfather. From New York, she and her husband moved to Connecticut, eventually coming to reside in Marblehead in a home built by the late Thomas Peach in 1740. Dorothy has been an active member of the Marblehead Garden Club since 1965, and has served as president, vice president, and a liaison between the garden club and the historical societyquite an accomplishment from such a creative lady. Dorothys garden evokes a sense of nostalgia of gardens of old with its use of espalier, an ancient technique for training fruit trees and ornamental shrubs along frames and lattices. With the Euonymus Euonymus fortunei espalier that overhangs the fence along the street side of her yard, and the espaliered yew Taxus densiformis trained to the inward wall of her garage, Dorothy has applied a tradition that reaches back to gardens of old Europe and elsewhere.

Dorothy tending her Euonymus espalier

This espaliered Euonymus serves as a means of privacy and ornamentation. This is quite an old specimenthe main leader gives me the impression that we are looking at a plant of at least 30-40 years of growthand has taken much love and attention to develop its lush greenery. Euonymus is a rapid grower and can be invasive if allowed to go unattended, but here, as you can see, Dorothy has taken careful measures to keep it in check.

A well-trained espaliered yew holds fast to the wall of the garage.

The grand view of Dorothy's beautiful garden design Here is a grand view of the inner garden taken from the patio area just outside of the kitchen entryway.

Dorothys sense of style and balance results in a design of simple elegance and charm giving one a sense of solitude and creative appeal so perfectly maintained and cozy.

Here Dorothy has used her creative style to use an otherwise dead space to add yet another espaliered Euonymus filling the void perfectly.

*** The Jeremiah Lee Mansion Gardens Maintained by the Marblehead Garden Club, the Jeremiah Lee Mansion Gardens are beautifully set in an elegant display using period plants and species of a bygone era.

A future gardener clears debris from the early species of the Boxwood hedgerow

Herbaceous Peony

Moss Rose, a true period species

Of special interest is the Moss Rose, Rosa centifolia foliacea , developed by Dutch breeders between the seventeenth and nineteenth centuries, or possibly earlier. It is a complex hybrid derived from Rosa gallica, Rosa moschata, Rosa canina, and Rosa damascene. Its exact hereditary history, however, is not well documented (Huxley 1992).

Traditional formal Boxwood center focal point This boxwood hedge is maintained in the formal style of gardens of early Europe and America during the eighteenth century. Note the design technique and careful pruning that makes this a splendid centerpiece, so perfectly set as a focal point of this marvelous estate

Original cornerstone marker located where Pleasant & Washington Streets once met.

Opium poppy, Corydalis lutea, Fumariaceae (fumitory) graces the steps leading to the upper yard bringing color to the period stonewall. Native primarily to northern China, Corydalis possesses numerous medicinal properties and was used as a sedative or tranquilizer by early herbalists to treat various ailments. Though not in their original design layout, the Lee Mansion gardens have quite a story to tell. Having been maintained and nurtured by the Marblehead Garden Club since 1936, the garden today gives visitors an authentic sense of how gardens were used and appreciated in eighteenth-century New England. Heirloom species are incorporated throughout the gardens to keep with the period. Visitors are drawn through numerous themed rooms planted in a historical layout, not only for beauty, but for medicinal and environmentally functional purposes as well. Note the lack of plantings close to the house, deliberately done to discourage water and moisture from entering the structurea rather ingenious solution to a common problem in its time, I would say. Personally I enjoyed these expansive gardens, not just for their beauty, but also for their focus on detail and tradition. As history is one of my many interests, at the gardens I found myself whisked back in time where I envisioned people scurrying down cobblestone streets, men in the parlor smoking their clay pipes filled with aromatic tobaccos, discussing the turn of political and cultural events. Many such thoughts came to me, of re-entering those times when life was simpler, yet in many ways hard and harsh on early American settlers. To this end, I feel the Garden Club has preserved the integrity of an era, as well as introduced numerous plant varieties that otherwise would not be found in the typical home landscapes today.

In speaking with Elise Tuve, a delightful and spirited woman, as she toured me around the highlights of the Lee Mansion gardens, I learned that the upper perennial border along the western wall was designed by landscape architect Ann Leighton Smith in 1970. Other gardens of interest surrounding the mansion are the Sundial Garden, perfectly and symmetrically laid out in Boxwood Buxus sempervirens where it is believed the Lee barn once stood. I simply love this artful and formal masterwork, the central focus of the upper yard. In keeping with history, the Lee Mansion Gardens maintain a diverse herb garden. The lower garden is planted as a woodland garden with native trees, shrubs, and native wildflowers. Especially notable here is the Corydalis lutea that amass along the wall highlighting the granite stairway to the upper gardens. Incorporating plants into stone crevasses and along stonework was common, as it is today. When visiting the Lee Mansion it is difficult for one not to feel a part of the history preserved in this unique home and the surrounding grounds. It is by far a true historical masterpiece so well executed and maintained by a dedicated group of gardeners, too many to mention. It was indeed a special moment for me to share the enthusiasm of the Garden Club members I met during my visita day I shall not forget.

*** The Gardens of Elise Tuve I travel across town once again, as I had been invited into the garden of a fun and delightful person who shared with me an abundance of information as well as a few laughs during my visit at the Lee Mansion. Today Elise Tuve is dressed rather casual, not in her typical gardening attire as she was on the day I visited the mansion. My visit was more of a social event, discussing numerous bits and pieces about the garden club and her love for gardening not to mention a few bits of what makes Marblehead such an interesting community to live in. During my visit, I learned of her achievement in transforming a somewhat ordinary small village yard into what today is a perfect and colorful display of perennials and specimen plants that demand attention by anyone who visits her home. Elise has an eye for the use of available space and has filled it with some of the loveliest hues of color and texture in a very unique and special way. This private garden is right up there in creativity and excellent use of interesting plant material, some of which has been shared with her by other friends in the Garden Club.

Front entry walk so inviting to the eye The front entry is accented by a brick walkway quite common in gardens of old and current-day Marblehead, not just for its beautiful effect, but also for its durability and capacity to withstand some of the harshest weather in the Northeast. Lined with common Boxwood of the Buxus semperverins species and back planted with colorful azaleas, the formal entry to the home is lined with ferns and hosta which make wonderful use of a rather shady area and add a naturally warm and inviting feel to the space while the use of ferns adds a bold and dramatic statement to the entrance of such a lovely home. The brick walkway in and of itself is an eye-catcher that draws focus to the front door, a perfect focal point of period landscape design. I love the use of brick, as its qualities of usefulness and eye appeal are outstanding and will compliment any garden in a most fashionable way. After all, this is what gardening is all about: creativity, functionality, and a statement of style and interest. With a subtle touch, Elise has accomplished it all in this embodiment of what a front entry is suppose to represent: invitation. As we walk to the street front face of the house, this extraordinary hydrangea captivated me.

Hydrangea macrophylla Isnt this one of the most perfect specimens ever? The common use of Hydrangea by homeowners is often overdone by clustering many in an area simply to fill space. Elise, however, has planted this special plant of glorious color in the perfect spot. Not only does it bring out vivid flare after most of the springtime color has passed, it also serves as a functional plant as well, as it leads one to the front entry of the house. This is a perfect use of plant material and arrangement to truly be appreciated. Perfect

Clump Birch sets the perfect setting for this lovely shade garden

The clear white leaders of the clump birch Betula paperifera accent this garden by drawing together the gorgeous undergrowth. Perfectly situated to add dimension and texture, this specimen adds to the overall design, too. The clump birch is one of the most widely used and notable tree specimens planted today. With its clean white bark, and its graceful foliage canopy above, this tree is outstanding for its versatility. Elise has planned and planted this grand tree to highlight its diverse characteristics. Note the shade created by this handsome plant and how gracefully it spills downward to envelop the garden bed below. This is an excellent area for shade-loving perennials such as ferns, hosta, Jack-in-the-pulpit, Solomons seal, Columbine, certain varieties of Bee Balm, Virginia Blue Bells, and countless other beauties. Ever-so-humble Elise should be proud of the accomplishment she has achieved with a yard of this size and layout. She has filled the areas so well they blend all aspects of her home and personality into a work of art in the making

Standard Dappled Willow, Crimson Glory Salix integra, Hybrid Tea hanura nishiki Jackson & Perkins

Lavender, Lavendula angustifolia/officinalis

White variety of Astilbe arendsii

Perennial border along eastern fence

Scented Geranium, Geranium pelargonium

*** The Gardens of Claudette Taylor Id like to share with you a garden so naturally set to spread far beyond the boundaries of what one could possibly imagine, an accomplishment by an individual person of such magnificent talent: this is the creation of Claudette Taylor. Many gardens are created through trial and error, planting and replanting to achieve the perfect affect. but this is not what I discovered at the home of Claudette. Upon arrival a floral vista captured the essence of beauty one only reads about in gardening books and magazines. Every view of Claudette's yard was a perfect picture of creative garden design one only dreams about. As Claudette toured me through expansive lush lawns, bordered by exquisite shrub and perennial borders, I was taken by the extraordinary talent and artistic qualities of a garden perfectionist. Below are but a few images I captured of this gardens grandeur; however, they do little justice to what lies along this seaside vista. As I hope to show in these images, Claudette has designed what every gardener wishes to achieve: serenity, solitude, natural aesthetics, and a monumental design that could only be achieved at the hand of a talented and visionary person.

A private room for evening socializing This is the first garden I came upon when arriving at Claudettes home. I was immediately captivated by the attractive setting created as a leisure area for family and friends to gather over a glass of wine and friendly conversation. What a wonderful and cozy place to dwell on a warm summers eve. The garden comes alive with numerous water features thriving with goldfish that scurry to nibble bits of food sprinkled on the waters surface. These are interesting little creatures that lie in wait for a handout of fish cuisine. Surrounded by a traditional white country fence, this little segment of the whole picture is really quite nicely pulled together.

Exceptional perennial mixed border of perennials and dwarf shrubs Beginning my entry into the world of Claudettes garden, I come upon this perennial compliment to the back entry. This is a perfect spot for cutting flowers and the specimen plant material she combines to make a well balance mixture of the natural process one could hope to achieve. There is another water feature here, as well as dwarf specimen conifers and a bed of variegated Euonymus gaiety that splendidly compliments the forefront of this natural area right at the back door. Claudette certainly has an eye for color and texture

The frontal view of the expansive lawn area and perennial borders Now here is a vista shot well worth noting for its spring color and summer foliage. So well balanced, this frontal view is set for regal wedding or banquet. What young couple wouldnt enjoy the scenic view of the ocean off to the left and the grand arrangement of flourishing

plants? It is filled with rhododendrons of numerous varieties and species, let alone the large hostas and viburnums that bring spring into full color and fragrance. To walk these grounds creates a feeling of settlement and a sense of another world. I really loved this spot to say the least.

Close up photos of the far end of the frontal garden to give a clearer view of the layout. Here is a view of the far end of the same exposure. Note the contrast between the evergreens and perennials; the size in proximity to the surrounding area is perfectly set and arranged.

Claudette shows great pride in her accomplishment. The artist herself, walking the path downward to the back yard and, another interesting aspect of her garden tour. Note the large Hosta to the left. Im sure most any plant Claudette places here would thrive and grow to its fullest potential. Claudette's yard is a wonderful display of so many aspects of landscape design, all put together

so well and so befitting of the home that lies within its surroundings. I was impressed by the knowledge Claudette has, a comprehensive understanding of proper techniques for refined landscape gardening. Claudette certainly has achieved a masterpiece in a yard that one day must have been ungraded gravel and rocky ledge. This garden truly stands out among many of the finest. I love it in all its splendor. *** Some Final Thoughts As I left Marblehead that afternoon to return to my office, I reflected upon all that I had seen over the past three weeks of touring Marblehead and felt a great sense of excitement to have had the privilege to experience these hidden gardens. I left Marblehead to record the details of my three weeks of walking through some of the most enchanting gardens and getting to know the wonderful people who create them. As I began my drive home through heavy traffic, I pondered thoughts in reflection of all that had taken place over those days and felt an emptiness inside that my project was over and completed with all I had wanted to achieve. Yet, I had this nagging feeling that seemed to linger on as I drove. I had realized how eager these people were to share their accomplishments with someone. It felt as if this could have gone on forever. I have found in my thirty years of professional landscape design that all gardeners seem to have a deep sense of self-expression masterfully laid out in the work they do. Each and every garden from the simplest of design to expansive garden layouts that many gardens display creates a luster of color that gladdens the hearts of many. What I have worked to accomplish in this article is to plant a seed in peoples creative minds so all may enjoy what I have found to be a magical world of peace and respite in a very busy world. The possibilities are endless for anyone who enjoys working with natures creation. I have chosen these special gardens as a testimony of not only my own love of gardening, but also for what lies beyond the garden walls of so many homes in Marblehead. Here in New England gardening has consistently changed from the time when early settlers set foot upon these soils to our gardens today that I hope will thrive for generations to come. While Massachusetts has an abundance of public botanical gardens for people to see and enjoy, from the Horticultural Society in Wellesley, to Tower Hill Botanic Garden near Worcester, and Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University near Boston, many garden clubs throughout Massachusetts arrange garden tours of these hidden gardens to wander through and enjoy the creativity of special people who enjoy the art of garden design and floral displays of seasonal color and texture, a world far beyond the ordinary.

Sadly, this tour had to end. I have visited so many gardens that so few ever have the opportunity to experience; these indeed are the hidden gardens of Marblehead, Massachusetts. At this point, Id like to express my gratefulness to the Marblehead Garden Club for all their efforts to help make this article a wonderful experience. I would like to mention a special thanks to the people who warmly accepted me into their lives and shared with me an experience I had never expected. The list is long and though I had not the opportunity to visit with everyone in the garden club, I tip my hat to you all for the magnificent job you are doing for your community to keep the art of gardening alive and thriving in Marblehead. First of all, let me thank the Schrages, Michael and Peggy; Gail Michaud; the Spiess family; Dorothy Creamer; those present at the Lee Mansion on the day I visited, I was so impressed with your dedication to keeping the tradition alive and well in Marblehead; and Elise Tuve, with whom I would have never discovered a plant with a funny leaf that no one seems to be able to identify. I will work hard to find its true nature and identification for you. And finally, Id like to thank Claudette Taylor whose patience and willingness to go along with the rather funny little obstacles that arose during my visit. *** Kim Maxwell Lastly, a special thank you to a wonderful and gracious lady, Kim Maxwell, President of the Marblehead Garden Club, for her help in providing me with contacts, and spending time acquainting me with the club members. I had an opportunity to share a few brief moments with Kim at her beautiful home to finalize this article and would like to take this opportunity to thank her for all she has done in helping make this a most pleasant and growing experience for me.

The front entry into Kim's home

The back stonewall and wrought iron gate that leads to the back yard I only wish I had had an extra roll of film to better capture some other lovely features in her garden, such as one of the nicest garden walls and formal gateway into her backyard. Absolutely perfect. With gratefulness, I thank you Kim. To you all, I cannot express my gratitude and how this experience can make even a thirsty-year experienced horticulturist humble. The work you do is a rare find in many of our local communities and your dedication to the preservation of this tradition is duly noted within these pages. Thank you all. A very humbled horticulturist, Chet Stentiford Chet Stentiford is an award-winning horticulturist and landscape designer, consultant, and contractor located in Saugus, Massachusetts. As a past corporate member of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, he has been awarded Design Excellence, Bronze, and Silver medals of achievement, a Vote of Thanks from the President, and other merits of achievement within the Societys annual flower show programs. He can be reached at 781-520-9821 or by e-mail at: schester9@comcast.net.