Held on Saturday, July 13, the South Shore Natural Science Center’s 38th annual Martha B. Twigg “Through the Garden Gate” Garden Tour aided learners of all ages in experiencing nature through gardening and empowering the public to see their backyards as living classrooms. Throughout the day, tour-goers visited nine properties in all, including some of the prettiest and most imaginative private gardens across Norwell and Hanover.
One of the properties featured gardens surrounding an 18th century home with long perennial borders, a white garden, an extensive collection of hybrid daylilies, hostas, Japanese maples, unusual ornamental trees, and over 200 conifer varieties. The pool area featured a replica of a 17th century pilgrim house and a water feature designed by Warren Leach from Tranquil Gardens in Rehoboth.
A second stop boasted extensive gardens highlighted by water features, a plethora of unusual perennials, and multiple examples of garden art, while a third, bordering the North River, reveals long water views, rich perennial gardens, a large vegetable garden, potted herbs and a small goldfish pond. Several of these magnificent gardens have been included in many American Hosta Society and Northeast Regional Conifer Society Tours.
While at each site, visitors received tips from the homeowners on how they can enhance their own gardens with flowers, shade plants, fruit trees, vegetable gardens and unique water features.
“More than just a tour, the day served as an educational experience for attendees,” said Chris Jacobs, Executive Director, South Shore Natural Science Center. “Hands-on gardening experiences hold many benefits, from social and emotional growth to vocational training, but in the end, it comes down to getting into the soil and understanding how the natural world works, how with a seed, some soil, proper watering and sunlight, amazing things can happen.”
The 38th annual Martha B. Twigg “Through the Garden Gate” Garden Tour was held on Saturday, July 13. Proceeds generated by the Garden Tour support the Center’s environmental education programming. Special thanks to our lead event sponsors: Arbella Insurance Foundation, BlumShapiro, Eastern Benefits Group and Energy Services Group (ESG).
For more information on upcoming events by the South Shore Natural Science Center, visit www.ssnsc.org, or contact Chris Jacobs at (781) 659-2559 or cjacobs@ssymca.org.
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About the South Shore YMCA
The South Shore YMCA is a not-for-profit association of individuals dedicated to improving the quality of life for all through programs that promote healthy spirit, mind, and body. Serving the communities of Quincy, Randolph, Holbrook, Weymouth, Braintree, Milton, Hingham, Hull, Cohasset, Scituate, Norwell, Hanover and beyond, the South Shore Y provides the opportunity to grow, learn, and thrive through its services and programs. Financial Assistance is a Y community benefit available to all families in need, applicable to all Y programs and services. To learn more about the South Shore YMCA, visit www.ssymca.org. The South Shore YMCA. The Better You Belongs Here.
