Fabulous flora flourishes on WSHPHS tour

| June 2, 2022 | 0 Comments

GARDEN TOUR CO-CHAIRS (left to right) Jane Gilman and Jolin Crofts with silent auction co-chair June Bilgore. (Co-chair Joanne Osinoff is not pictured).     Photo by Richard Battaglia

A home spans a brook surrounded by greenery. Drought-tolerant perennials bedazzle a driveway. Wisteria vines drape colorful blooms above a backyard fireplace. These are just three of the five beautiful gardens awaiting those who attend the Windsor Square-Hancock Park Historical Society’s Garden Tour on Sun., June 5 from 1 to 5 p.m.

The five inspiring gardens on view are in Windsor Square, Hancock Park and Brookside. As a special treat, the brook-spanning Bridge House, a modern architectural gem designed by owner Dan Brunn, will be open to tour, as well as its garden.

Historical Society President Richard Battaglia explains that this is the first garden tour of area backyards in 10 years, and the first to be officially organized by the WSHPHS, which only offered home tours prior to the pandemic. Home tours will return this October.

It wasn’t difficult to excite the executive committee about planning a garden tour. “People love gardens!” enthuses Battaglia. “We are fortunate to have some great ones in our own back yard.” Larchmont Chronicle co-founder Jane Gilman and Jolin Crofts are co-chairing the event. There will be music, snacks and a plant sale. June Bilgore and Joanne Osinoff are co-chairing a silent auction.

Crofts notes that she and Gilman visited each garden several times to prepare for the tour. “I’m always amazed at how gracious people are to open their homes to people. This is such a … kind neighborhood.” She continues, “We are really touched.”

Battaglia would like to use the tour proceeds as seed money to tackle greening for the concrete islands at Beverly Boulevard and Rossmore Avenue. “The islands of Wilton Place were done beautifully over 10 years ago, and if that could be done, Rossmore and Beverly certainly could get done,” Battaglia notes. “We are just starting to form that committee. Hopefully, we will be able to reach out to the Wilshire Country Club, the councilmember and area residents for help with the project.”

“Post-COVID, let’s get out there and bring energy to the community,” Crofts requests. “Each garden has its own personality. Let’s see these beautiful gardens!”

MANICURED BACKYARD leads to edible garden at Hudson Avenue home.                Photo by Richard Battaglia

Tickets are $40 for Historical Society members; $50 for non-members. Advance tickets can be ordered at wshphs.com. Same-day tickets can be purchased on June 5 at 166 S. Plymouth Blvd.

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