WESTMINSTER — The 18th annual Westminster Garden Tour will be held this weekend, featuring the gardens of Gordon and Mary Hayward, Cyndy Fine of Genius Loci, and the Laughlin Family Farm in Putney.
The Garden Tour is the major fundraising event for Westminster Cares and all proceeds go to supporting their healthy-aging programs and services for older adults and adults with disabilities.
Featured this year are the stone sculptures of Miles Chapin. “Dwelling in Stone - A collaboration of stone sculpture and landscape design” is a solo show of five new sculptures set throughout the Hayward Gardens.
The show is open during the Garden Tour weekend, or by appointment only. The artist will be on hand throughout Garden Tour Weekend to answer questions about his work and will give a personal tour Sunday at 1 p.m.
In addition to the sculpture tour, special events during Garden Tour weekend include a walking talk in her gardens by Caitlin Adair of the Living Earth Action Group titled, “How to be Kind to the Earth in Your Backyard.”
Adair will discuss ways homeowners and gardeners can apply principles that are kind to the earth by building topsoil, sequestering carbon, and helping restore health to local biosystems. This talk will be on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. and Sunday at 10:30 a.m.
Access to these special events is included with the purchase of a Garden Tour Ticket. Tickets may be used for either or both days of the Tour.
The Haywards will also offer a personal tour of their gardens. The tour starts at 3 p.m. on Saturday only and requires an additional fee. Space is limited; call the office to reserve your space.
There is also a Garden Tour Raffle with prizes including a handmade “garden and bee” themed quilt created and donated by Ann Ashcroft, garden supplies, and many gift certificates and items donated by local artisans and businesses.
Tour tickets may be purchased from board members or from the office in the Westminster Institute. Lunch and refreshments will be served all day in the “garden café” at the Haywards' along with unique plants for sale from Morning Star Perennials.