Hidden Gardens of Beacon Hill to Feature Sunflower Castle and More This Year

One of Beacon Hill's signature events, the Hidden Gardens tour draws up to 3,000 visitors ever year. But this year's tour – tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. – offers some special attractions.

The famous , at 130 Mt. Vernon St., is opening its garden walls as is the only freestanding house on the Hill, at 85 Mount Vernon St. That house's garden will be accessed by a walk through the house. 

The tour has already sold more advance tickets than last year, partly because the weather promises to be sunny and bright, and expects to sell a good deal tomorrow as well. But today is the last to get $30 tickets to the tour. Buy them online or at these retailers. Tickets are $40 tomorrow and can be bought at one of the three hosts booths (at Charles and Chestnut streets, Charles and Mt. Vernon street, and in the Church of the Advent, accessed from Mt. Vernon Street).

"I think this year is going to be perfect," said Amy Wilson, a Beacon Hill Garden Club member whose garden at 105 Mt. Vernon St. is featured in this year's tour. The unusually warm winter and early spring have made her climbing hydrangea go wild. "Things are pretty full," she said.

Although the warmer weather may have caused some flowers to bloom early, there are still plenty of flowers in the gardens. "I actually think the weather has been favorable," Wilson said.

Another bonus for this year's tour is that the 11 hidden gardens and four ribbon gardens are all fairly well-clustered. They are:

• 130 Mt. Vernon St.
• 12 Brimmer St.
• 81 Revere St.
• 77 Pinckney St.
• 85 Mt. Vernon St.
• 90 Mt. Vernon St.
• 24 Chestnut St.
• 64 Chestnut St.
• 74 Chestnut St.
• 3 W. Cedar St.
• 105 Mt. Vernon St.
• 4 W. Cedar St. (ribbon garden, cannot enter)
• 24 W. Cedar St. (ribbon garden)
• 68 W. Cedar St. (ribbon garden)
• 58 Chestnut St. (ribbon garden)

Wilson's advice for tour-goers is to come later in the day or around lunchtime. "Everybody likes to come at 9 a.m. in the morning. I think the best time to come is in the afternoon. If I could leave work early and come at 4 p.m. I could cruise through and see five gardens in an hour," she said, adding that some of the gardens show better in the afternoon sun.

Tea and cookies will be provided in the Church of the Advent, and guest can pack a lunch and eat it in the church's garden or inside. The public may use the church's restrooms tomorrow as well.