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It was perfect weather – sunny, but not too warm – for what proved to be a perfect garden tour in Hingham and Cohasset, Massachusetts. It was especially impressive given that this was the first garden tour given by a group of dedicated volunteers with the Glastonbury Abbey.
The garden tour included elements that I have found over the years go into a well-organized and executed tour:
- Professionally designed brochure that provides an overview of the gardens on the tour, a very clear and detailed map of the garden locations along with recommended routes, and a description of the organization and how it plans to use the funds raised by the tour.
- Signs at each of the garden sites indicating that it is part of the tour as well as volunteers to help with parking and greeting visitors. Signs along the route are also helpful, especially to those who are not familiar with the area.
- Refreshments, especially water, at each site. In the case of the Glastonbury Abbey tour, they served a lovely assortment of drinks and refreshments at the visitor center at the abbey. Each visitor received a gift bag, which I have never seen offered on a tour before; it included bottled water, sunscreen, discounts to a local shopping area and other assorted gifts in a lovely cloth bag.
- A reasonable number of gardens to be viewed in the time allotted. Sometimes more is not better when there is no time to stop to eat or have a restroom break! The Glastonbury Abbey tour included six gardens starting with the gardens at the abbey. This provided ample time to get to and view each garden as well as to stop at local restaurants and shops along the way.
This was my first time visiting Glastonbury Abbey, which is run by a community of Benedictine Monks and is a regional center for spiritual, educational, cultural, and social outreach activities. As one would expect, tranquility defines the layout of the grounds and the atmosphere of the buildings. The Japanese gardens provide a peaceful respite from the hectic outside world.
Many of the homes and estates in Hingham and Cohasset are a wonder to behold. Most of the older homes dating from Colonial times to the early twentieth century have been lovingly restored and maintained. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen so many estates in such a small area. So driving between garden sites on the tour was a real treat for the eyes.
All of the gardens, estates, and homes were a delight, but two in particular were the highlights of the tour for me:
- The Rizzotto home and garden in Hingham created by a local artist and her
husband. Unlike many of the gardens in the area, theirs is truly their own creation and not that of a professional landscaper. This labor of love started as a 12′ by 12′ garden that has grown considerably over the past 35 years. A profusion of poppies lures you in for a closer look at a garden that is a mix of vegetables and flowers. The artist offers classes to the local community at their home using the gardens as inspiration for their artistic creations. - The Abbruzzese home and garden on the Gulf River in Cohasset. It is a truly
romantic estate with a Tuscan style villa complete with a round balcony in the back overlooking the river and a boat launch. Interesting architectural features defined intimate family spaces both inside and outside. A variety of shade and sunny gardens complemented outdoor cooking and eating areas. This estate was designed for entertaining family and friends, so clearly important to the owners. It was hard to leave the tranquil setting and warm atmosphere of this house and property.
Glastonbury Abbey plans to make this garden tour a biennial event. So be sure to check out this garden tour in 2013!