Well, you said it was sponsored by the local newspaper? Harumph! Newspapers-there's your first clue. I could write reams about all the things I dislike about news "services" and the disservice they do in a community. One-sided reporting, politically skewed editorials, ignoring the good and sensationalizing tragedy, publishing photos of people in the initial thoes of agony of loss. How these "news" people go home and call themselves humans, beget children, and have the nerve to show their inhuman faces in a community, I really don't know. Well, ok, even snakes lay eggs, so I guess I can cut them some slack on the crack about begetting. Advertising a garden tour, then to not even have the courtesy to let you know that your particular garden didn't fit the criteria, or that what they were looking for just wasn't located in your neighborhood, or that this wasn't actually a Garden Tour hosted by the Beautification Committee, but a Contest to see who has the best gardener hosted by the beautiful people committee. So instead of serving the community, your newspaper serves those who have money. I'm sure your garden is very beautiful, and I understand that the gardens that get toured often suffer a lot of damage in the course of the tours. Those wealthy people won't care though, they'll get to hobnob with the other wealthy people in their town and then they'll have their gardener come in for a little overtime next week and put everything right again. Even though you truely wished to share the beauty of your garden with the people in your town, sometimes our greatest blessings are our unanswered prayers. Cheryl

You're all wonderful, ten times over! Melissa, boxwoods are a no (they're all over the place here). I did plant some 'Soft Touch' Ilex Compacta, desperately hoping my neutral pH won't kill them. I think they'll be like 3x3 balls of tiny leaves if they survive. The others you mention (rosemary & lavender) get so big here - not enough room, but definitely good suggestions. "1) the garden won't break; and 2) the gardener will have periods where gardening just doesn't have any appeal, but enthusiasm will return the first warm and sunny day." Excellent words! I planted some things today. Two double salmon hibiscus 'Jane Cowel' along the white fence near Anna Olivier & Perle d'Or even though they will get HUGE (hack, hack), a strawflower, two Marguerites - rose and yellow, some glad bulbs. None of which will add to the winter garden. :(( I fed the front and got about have of it composted. Just putting the dark compost down makes everything look better. Budeyes are swelling all over the place. Thank you, Gean my friend, you're always so positive - except for the hurricane part. lol That's such a big no-no here. Our insurance rates go up if you even whisper it - or the company drops you. :(( But you're so encouraging. Ingrid, I like reading your lists of excellent plants. I dearly wanted two 'Sky Pencil' Japanese Hollies, but I can't get my pH low enough in a million years. If these Soft Touches work, I'll be getting more of them. They're not unlike box except a deeper green & denser. You know, when I had my rosemary, it never bloomed, and I had it for a year and a half before it died. One day you'll have to gently ask your plants if they like 60% humidity and torrential downpours a couple of times a week. If they say yes, let me know! holleygarden, do you have Hermosa? Run go check it out if you do. Mine are loaded with buds, just starting to show dark pink/red. I have buds scattered around on other roses. It was a wonderful day - maybe 70. Cool enough to have long sleeves on and pants. A neighbor came to visit my next-door neighbor while I was out there. She told me I have a beautiful garden. I thanked her very much, but why do I want to argue with her? It occurs to me that others don't think it's as bad as I do - even the sticks, probably. And I guess they know what time of year it is. Thank you everyone. I feel much better for all your kind words. Sherry

Thanks to all who came out to see the gardens on our tour today. It seems we had a real good turnout. It started out cool and warmed up by the afternoon - a real nice day to look at gardens.

When the owner was asked by another visitor if she would be open again next year, she grimaced about the amount of work but I have a feeling her gardens are that spectacular every year (and weed free). She said she bought the property across the road and was planning an apple orchard. I feel lucky to have gone this year. She recommended Christopher Lloyd's book on succession gardening. Danielle's sister's garden in Nashua used to be on Open Days several years ago although I visited when it was on the local garden tour to raise money for the symphony. She was at Danielle's when I visited. Said her garden had a lot of vole and rabbit damage this year so she has lost a lot of plants. She had already started downsizing her tropical collection she planted in pots and next year when her husband retires, they plan to do a lot of traveling. I don't think her garden will ever be open to the public again which is a shame because she gardens on a small suburban neighborhood lot with a steep backyard slope that's shady. No professional landscape designer but she did need some gardening help. Lucky you to have visited the Epsom garden 10 years ago so to know how much it has changed. Funny thing, I didn't notice the pollinators but I did notice how well the red in the red and cream sunflowers along the side of the garage marched the paint color. Comments were made that the dark red was a great back drop for all the colors. It was painted three years ago ... I wonder how the painters dealt with all the plants? Maybe it was fall.