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Locals open gates to gardens in Milton

Richard Siess and Steve Xander welcomed attendees to the Charleston Inn on Tilney Street. The home is nestled in the heart of Milton’s Historic District. Its gardens stand as a tribute to timeless elegance and old-world charm. DAN COOK PHOTOS
Dan Cook
September 26, 2025

Seven local homeowners open their gates and welcomed ticket holders for the 24th annual Milton Garden Tour Sept. 21.

Attendees strolled through a curated selection of private gardens, marveling at the creativity and gaining design inspiration for their own outdoor spaces. From charming cottage gardens bursting with color to serene retreats and a plant collector’s paradise, the tour had something for everyone. The variety included shade gardens, sun gardens, koi ponds, fern gardens, a bonsai garden, flowering trees and drought-resistant plants.

For more information, go to www.themiltongardenclub.org or find Milton Garden Club of Delaware on Facebook. 

 

Richard Siess welcomes visitors to the Charleston Inn.
The Charleston Inn on Tilney Street displays many types of gardens.
The Charleston Inn on Tilney Street displays a beautiful sitting area.
Beautiful Zinnia and coneflowers are prevalent at the Charleston Inn.
Artist Julia Allen Smith displays her award-winning Sailor’s Valentine raffled off at The Charleston Inn.
Fred and Alyssa Pepper welcome visitors to their Federal Street plant collector’s dream. The garden has hundreds of unusual and hard-to-find plants. Their garden featured more than 1,000 different species of plants, including many types of variegated shrubs and perennials.
A rock garden with many exotic plants highlight the Peppers’ yard.
A beautiful and serene sitting area highlights the natural beauty of the Peppers’ yard.
This fountain makes beautiful and relaxing sounds.
Beautiful and unique airplants grow in the Peppers’ sitting area.
A 1921 Model T is displayed at the Peppers’ Federal Street home.
Gourds from Gourdeous Gourds by Heather Koch are on sale during the tour.
Artist Cynthia Schmidt sells her unique handmade glass decor at the Peppers’ house on Federal Street.
Fred and Alyssa Pepper’s Federal Street clinker brick home.
A beautiful fireplace highlights a sitting area in Peppers’ garden.
Chris King’s beautiful bedding flowers highlight her home on Federal Street.
Many different types of plants beautify Chris KIng’s garden on Federal Street.
Unique bedding plants highlight Chris King’s garden on Federal Street.
Chris King’s garden on Federal Street.
Visitors enjoy Chris King’s garden on Federal Street.
John Kennedy welcomes visitors to his 1850s Union Street home and garden.
John Kennedy’s garden is a country-style, welcoming, serene place.
Unique birdhouses surround the Kennedy home and garden.
A quiet sitting area in the Kennedy yard is quiet for visitors to relax.
A beautiful walkway takes visitors to the Kennedy back yard.
Patrick the cat takes advantage of the sitting area to relax at the Kennedy garden.
Artist Liz Micili takes inspiration from the Kennedy garden to display and sell her work.
Karla and Joe Johnson welcome visitors to their Chandler Street garden.
Karla and Joe Johnson welcome visitors to their garden.
A beautiful fountain highlights Karla and Joe Johnson’s garden on Chandler Street.
Soothing sounds come from the wind chimes at Karla and Joe Johnson’s garden on Chandler Street.
A serene sitting area at Karla and Joe Johnson’s garden on Chandler Street.
Bees take advantage of the sweet nectar from the Plumbed Cockscomb flowers at Karla and Joe Johnson’s garden on Chandler Street.
Artist Geri Gaskill sells her artwork at Karla and Joe Johnson’s garden on Chandler Street.
Brian King relaxes in his garden on Union Street.
A beautiful hybrid tea rose highlights Brian King’s garden on Union Street.
Dahlias are in full bloom at Brian King’s garden on Union Street.
Artist Joann Sabato displays her work at Brian King’s garden on Union Street.
Carol Bell displays and sells her photography at Brian King’s garden on Union Street.
A peaceful sitting area welcomes visitors at Brian King’s garden on Union Street.
Showy stone crop graces the yard of Brian King on Union Street.
A beautiful lawn welcomes visitors at Brian King’s garden on Union Street.
Dr. Dean Abbott, right, and his husband Jeremi Bakner welcome visitors to their garden on Coulter Street.
A morning sitting area is perfect for reading the paper.
Fancy planters grace the out building at Dr. Dean Abbott and Jeremi Bakner’s garden.
Beautiful giant urns grace the garden of Dr. Dean Abbott and Jeremi Bakner.
A quiet fall mum sitting area graces the garden of Dr. Dean Abbott and Jeremi Bakner.
Dr. Dean Abbott is proud of the work he did in raising these Bonsai plants.
Artist Jeane Stenk sells her handmade wares at the garden of Dr. Dean Abbott and Jeremi Bakner.

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Dan has worked for the Cape Gazette for more than 30 years as a photographer and reporter, covering high school sports and happenings around eastern Sussex County. He won a photography award from the National Newspaper Association, and numerous awards from the Maryland, Delaware, D.C. Press Association. A Delaware native, Dan graduated from Cape in 1972 and returned as a teacher and coach in the 1980s. He retired from the classroom in 2016. He was inducted into Cape High’s Legends Stadium in 2016. In his spare time, Dan enjoys spending time with his wife, two sons, grandchildren and dogs. 

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