Garden Talk & Tour Of Whimsical Delights

BETHLEHEM — Garden author and Litchfield County resident Tovah Martin will amuse, delight and inspire gardeners and non-gardeners with her “Garden Whimsy” slide lecture on Sunday, June 25, beginning at 2 pm at Bethlehem Library. Following the lecture and a book signing session, three private gardens — including Ms Martin’s — will be open for touring.

Cost is $35 per person. To make reservations, contact The Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden at 203/266-7596. Directions to the private gardens will be distributed to attendees the afternoon of the lecture.

Garden Whimsy, a book written by Ms Martin and released last year, is an entertaining look at what innovative gardeners, experts and beginners have done to amuse themselves and the people who visit their gardens. As Ms Martin writes, “whimsy has its basis in creativity… it’s practiced by people who see things from a slightly different angle… Nothing is sacred, there are no rules, and the practice of gardening doesn’t present a problem that they can’t poke fun at.”

Seen in the slide lecture and garden tour will be whirligigs, odd-shaped topiary, creative garden gates, signs with tongue-in-cheek inspirational messages, kitchen utensils, contemporary sculpture, and animals of varying size, shape and medium.

The gardens that will be open include Ms Martin’s; Kit and Marty Sagendorf’s, described by Ms Martin as “partners in grime”; and Bob Keating’s. The Sagendorf garden reflects the couple’s interest in collecting all sorts of things, from antique electrical gadgets to garden-related miniatures and most of all their sense of humor.

Nearby, Mr Keating’s garden mirrors his garden interests as well as his artistic ability with making metal garden ornaments such as peony hoops, embracers and railings.