'Color combinations are incredible' at Mattapoisett Garden Tour
When Susan and Graeme Keir moved to Mattapoisett full time, they brought most of their Southborough garden with them.
The Keir's were one of six stops on the Mattapoisett Woman's Club's Garden Tour on Saturday. The biennial event, this year in honor of the 75th diamond jubilee year, raises funds for the group's scholarships.
Susan Keir's house was a perfect spot for the tour since she doesn't mind people in her yard, and often finds curious gardeners talking a self-guided tour around her home in the Village.
"I love to share it with people," she said.
Keir takes an organic approach to gardening.
"I don't think you have to plan," she said of her "English style cottage garden" that features the bright red buds of the English running bean, a variety of foxgloves and an arbor of roses. "I move my plants like furniture."
The Keir's home was one of several in the center of town.
On Foster Street, Jim Nordquist's expansive lawn featured triangular garden beds filled with flowers and vegetables.
An outdoor kitchen and shower, both made of stone, were the focal point of Patricia and Kelley McLaughlin's Shipyard Lane yard overlooking the harbor.
On Beacon Street, Lucy and James Stellato's historical home, known as The Oakland House, features a large Chinese dogwood in the backyard along with a rock garden, a variety of flowers and "old-fashioned shrubs."
There was a Southern feel to the garden of Jilline Fearons at High Ridge Drive in the Bay Club. Wisteria twisted up a post in the front yard, a blooming dogwood tree drew visitors to the backyard where a magnolia tree, more dogwood and a mini putting green edged the pool.
A favorite stop on the tour was the home of Elvita and David Rocha of Main Street. The couple's elaborate garden has a secret garden feel with a lily pond, wild roses and a waterfall.
"We're always working on it," said Elvita, who waters the plans for 30 to 45 minutes every day.
Those on the tour appreciated the couple's hard work as well as their colorful Victorian home in hues of blue and purple.
"The color combinations are incredible," said one woman.
