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Lewes' hidden gardens open for tours
In the middle of her Savannah Road garden, artist and floral designer Pamela Rankin sets up a dining table for a Downton Abbey dinner party. BY RON MACARTHUR
June 24, 2013
Mary Ann Etu fills every spot possible with flowers and plants at her Beebe Avenue home. She says has 76 different plants and is aiming at 100 before she stops. BY RON MACARTHUR
A squirrel keeps an eye on visitors in the garden of Mac and Joanne McNaught on Madison Avenue. BY RON MACARTHUR
Sonia Hunt, a member of Cape Artists, works plein air at the home of Pamela Rankin. Members of the art group stationed themselves at locations throughout the tour. BY RON MACARTHUR
A purple clematis adds deep color to Mary Ann Etu's whimsical garden. BY RON MACARTHUR
Anne Taylor shows off recycled plastic rugs to admiring customers attending the garden market in Zwaanendael Park. BY RON MACARTHUR
Gerilyn Gaskill, a member of Cape Artists, sketches the backyard of the McNaught home. BY RON MACARTHUR
One of the most unusual gardens on the tour is the backyard creation of William Roeder and John Overton on Dewey Avenue. A Tom Torrance bell serves as the centerpiece of the garden. BY RON MACARTHUR
Garden tour visitors prepare to walk down the sidewalk to the backyard garden of William Roeder and John Overton on Dewey Avenue. BY RON MACARTHUR
A mix of color and green fills the backyard garden of Mac and Joanne McNaught on Madison Avenue. The home dates to around 1919 and is an authentic Sears and Roebuck house ordered through the catalog. BY RON MACARTHUR
The Fisher-Martin Herb Garden dates back to 1984, but has much deeper roots. All of the plants were used by colonists and Native Americans who lived in the area during the 1700s. BY RON MACARTHUR
Twenty-three years ago, the late Mary Vessels, her brother Jack and sister-in-law Mickey conceived the idea of sharing some of the hidden gardens of Lewes with neighbors and visitors. The idea took hold and the Lewes Garden Tour – originally called the Zwaanendael Heritage Garden Tour – has taken place every year since.
Sponsored by the Lewes Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau, this year's event featured eight gardens, the Fisher-Martin Herb Garden and a large garden market in Zwaanendael Park. Carolyn Marshall was chairperson of the 2013 tour.
Free shuttle service was provided by Lewes Senior Center, Irish Eyes, Jolly Trolley, Beebe Medical Center and Prudential Gallo, Realtors.
