Tour to feature Shimizu private garden in Lewes June 5
The old-town Lewes garden of Holly and Osamu Shimizu is one of three venues that will be featured in the Cape Farm and Garden Tour on Saturday, June 5. The tour also includes Mill Pond Garden and Lavender Fields at Warrington Manor LLC, with proceeds to local food banks and pantries. Tickets are available on the website of Mill Pond Garden, the hosting venue, at millpondgarden.com.
“We have been creating this garden since 2015. Everything has been done organically, and we are so lucky to have excellent soil. The design for the front garden takes its inspiration from a colonial dooryard garden. These were gardens in early America that were placed at the front of the house, and plants were placed to have easy access for harvesting herbs. Herbal plants were essential for health, flavoring, fragrance, dye, fiber and more,” said Holly Shimizu. “This particular garden is not a historic replica; the goal is for it to feel like it belongs to this historic Lewes house which was built around 1730. The crushed-shell walkways were a typical feature in early Lewes and other colonial gardens.”
Holly Shimizu said most of her plants fall into one of these categories: herbal plants for harvest, fragrant plants for scent, wildlife plants for attracting birds, butterflies, and supporting wildlife.
“In order to attract a variety of pollinators and for our own garden pleasure, there are plants blooming almost year-round,” she said.
There are six fountains, each carefully located, and with a pump that creates water pressure to encourage what the couple calls water music, said Osamu Shimizu.
“Along the side of the walkway, headed toward the Courtyard Garden you will see a Fairey Garden, done for children - it is much loved, and is a place where kids get involved in miniature and mysterious scenes,” Holly Shimizu said, adding the Courtyard Garden in the rear was inspired by courtyard gardens in Charleston, Savannah and New Orleans.
“The first step was to give this space a sense of enclosure with tall evergreens. Many hardy tropical plants are included to give a feeling of the southern courtyard as well as a rich variety of foliage textures. The fountain is a lovely greenish color and the stone used for the patio was selected for its greenish color. Notice the design of the stone arrangement on the patio,” she said.
Michael Zajic of Mill Pond Garden said the Shimizus are famous across America and worldwide in horticulture and public gardens, leaders of the field and in the greatest demand and highest regard from many institutions.
“Lewes is fortunate that they have chosen to make a second home here in Lewes and are willing to share their personal garden in the 2021 Cape Farm and Garden Tour. This is an opportunity for the public to look and learn from the best,” he said.
