Chestnut Hill Garden Tour

A couple of weeks ago, I attended the Chestnut Hill Musical Gardens Tour (to support the Mann Center for the Performing Arts here in Philadelphia).  I went with two of my neighbors and we all had the BEST time.  Set up as a casual walking tour (with lunch included), we explored six different residential gardens.  There was such a lovely variety between properties-- styles ranged from modern to traditional, and organic/rustic to extremely manicured.  Some of the gardens even had musicians playing (which made us feel so chic!).  It was really fun and I tried to absorb as much knowledge as possible.  I snapped a bunch of pictures to keep for my own inspiration, and I thought I would share some of them here with you...

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bleeding Heart (Lamprocapnos spectabilis)

 

 

Anyone know what kind of fern this is with the beautiful overlapping leaves? 

Soloman's Seal (Polygonatum)

 

 

Japanese Snowball (Viburnum plicatum)

 

Azalea

White Triumphator tulips

White Triumphator tulips

Pink tulips

 

Of all six properties, my absolute favorite was this gorgeous Tudor home built in 1910.  The estate included 16 private acres in the middle of Chestnut Hill (amazing!).  The exterior of the home was stunning and the gardens were formal and impeccably manicured.  I took as many pictures as I was allowed...

front of the house

 

 

and, the back of the house (love all the windows and that built in sun dial above the doors!)

 

the amazing view from the backyard!

(there were herbs growing all along this pathway to the kitchen/dining room)

(loved that weathervane!)

(we spotted this among the plantings-- how sweet is this?)

 

 

It was a terrific tour and I would love to make it a tradition by attending every year.  It's always fun to see other gardens up close and personal.  I left with a new sense of inspiration for our own garden (I'm already thinking of planting those White Triumphator tulips in the fall-- loved those!).  If you live the in the Philadelphia area, I highly recommend getting tickets for next year.  I'll see you there!

 

xoxo

Kelly

 

 

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