Stonington -- Martha Snyder Garden

The Colonial house dates to 1798, and with later additions there was only six-hundredth of an acre to garden. After purchasing the house in 1980 the owners replaced a dirt path between houses with a brick path and patio, raised beds inside the wooden back fence, and a pergola that shades the patio in summer. Most of the plants are in containers so they can be moved as needed, including the whiskey half-barrels that are set on platforms with casters. The entrance to the garden from the sidewalk is up two granite steps and through a gate on a shoulder-high fence. Shrubs grow in a narrow raised bed between the path and the neighbor's clapboard house. There are planted pots, a small grill, and a bench outside the kitchen. This kitchen was added to the house by the owners, with a small tool shed attached outside. The raised beds and containers are flush with annual flowers, herbs, and at least one cherry tomato plant. An enormous lavender Hidcote grows in a raised bed. Among the trees and shrubs are a Japanese maple, an espaliered apple, hollies, roses, smoke bush, clematis, winterberry, viburnum, shadblow and a topiary euonymous Manhattan. Perennials include ferns, hosta, hellebore, European ginger, astilbe, iris, and salvia. Annuals including nasturtium are underplanted to add color to the larger containers. The patio has two seating areas and a fountain. Persons associated with the garden's design: Juana M. G. Flagg (landscape designer, 1984).