In case you missed the first open garden event today, you still have two more chances.  Thinking of doing the “High Street Hustle” on August 15?  The garden will be open that day from 7:30 to 10:00 a.m.   Sunday, September 13th the garden will be open again from 2-5 p.m….so if you went today you might want to come back as the season begins to change.  (As one who has been in the garden in every season, I  know for sure it is always fascinating and always beautiful.)

Here’s what it looked like today:  Board member Susan Miller greeted people at the gate with information on the garden…

The day was perfect, warm and sunny, cool in the shade…perfect for strolling and straw hats…

and chatting…

Board members were scattered around the garden to give helpful information, and they had set up fantastic vintage photos of the garden so you could juxtapose what had been, what is, and what will be again…

These two plants by the front door are gone, but plans are to replant…

The west side fountain garden…and the allee north and south

the grape arbor…

and the parterres…

this year filled with zinnias…

and the new fence…

The very beautiful “hardscape” in this garden is, of course, wooden.  Things decay over time…

but luckily for Gaiety Hollow there is a crew of talented and dedicated volunteers who are willing and able to replicate these benches and fences…Woody Dukes rebuilt the bench last year, and Christopher Hackett and his crew of Tom McMullen and Jack Fisher rebuilt the fence this summer…with Don Roberts standing by to paint the items as cut and before being assembled…touch up still required.  HOURS of work and planning…for love of the garden.  Thank you so much.

So…mark your calendar and make a point of taking a walk through this peaceful place right in the heart of Salem.  We are so lucky here in Salem to have this “garden trifecta” within a half mile…Bush Gardens, Deepwood Gardens and Gaiety Hollow…maybe a visit to all three is in your near future??