Cedarcrest - 68 Noyes Neck Road, Westerly RI

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Inspired by more than a decade of living in Mexico, the owner has created a festive garden with views of Quonochontaug Pond and the ocean, where family and friends enjoy the many birds and colorful flowers. Originally, this garden in the 1950s was “the woods” beside the owner’s childhood Spicer home at 64 Noyes Neck Road. At that time, there were paths with cedar and fruit trees alongside of wild blueberry bushes. Her father built a swing for her in an apple tree at the southeast corner of the property, which became her quiet place of refuge. In 1982, her parents sold half their land (the “woods”) to her young family so they could build a summer home in Weekapaug. The house was newly renovated last year with many more windows, some porches, and garden lights at night so that the family and guests can more fully appreciate the delights of the garden!

Intense warm hues contrasted with blues and purples give the garden its Mexican feel, which is reflected in the containers on the front porch and back deck as well as the New Guinea impatiens in the beds. Highlights of the garden are the majestic cedar tree in front of the house and the spectacular white flowering viburnum bush in the East Garden that blooms around Memorial Day. The flowering plants of intense warm colors are the red and pink rhododendrons and peonies, the salmon orange daylilies coming in late June, as well as the yellow gold coreopsis, iris and “Happy Returns” lilies. The smokebush, barberries, hostas, and junipers bring out the various foliage hues of deep red, chartreuse and blue-green. The blues and purples of iris, nepeta (catmint), salvia, and hydrangeas circle the palate back to warm colors with the addition of the magenta flowers of cranesbill geranium, lamium, liatris, phlox, and rose of Sharon. With a “punch” of white seen in the flowers of oakleaf hydrangea, the rainbow is complete!

Since the age of 10, the owner has created her own garden. In more recent years, she and Ann Mitchell of “Gardens by the Sea” have collaborated in that effort. The garden is a feast for the senses!