More Secret Gardens

Historic Bethlehem Partnership Secret Garden Tour


I’ve watched this Center Street property transform over the last 9 years from an over-grown assisted living home to the elegant and formal residence. As it stands today, I find it hard to remember its nondescript appearance 10 years ago.

The antique fence with posts found in New Orleans replaced a privet hedge.

A front yard urn stands as a formal welcome.

A tiered fountain is surrounded by colorful caladium.

A young winterberry adds its color to the many hydrangeas, azaleas, mums and annuals that fill the yard. It is an elegant transformation.



Another recently redone home and garden on the busy corner of Center and Church Streets was originally built in 1890 and has been lovingly restored in the last 5 years.


From the front gate…

through the side yard…

down the shady garden path at the edge of the property…

to the formal fountain in the center of the large yard - this garden is perfection.

There is a lot to see in this Church Street home. At least 28 hydrangeas nestle with grasses, shrubs and evergreens. In the garden’s evolution since 2004, perennials, shrubs and trees were artfully placed to combine with original plantings. The garden looks mature.


A straw horse in the front yard sets the tone for a garden with a bit of whimsy.

The shady side entry with hosta and a large pot of passion flower at the back door make a soft and welcoming entrance to the garden.

Originally planned as a chicken coop, the garden shed is made of recycled material. The metal dog at the right totes a basket of eggs.

A small bubbling pond adds the sound of water to this exciting garden.

All the gardens hidden behind the charming homes in downtown Bethlehem presented an individual beauty. My personal thanks goes out to the homeowners for sharing that beauty. What a wonderful way to spend a fall day!

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The Secret Gardens

Ever peek through a fence and wonder what kind of garden is on the other side? I had a chance to find out on the Historic Bethlehem Partnership Secret Garden Tour. Seven beautiful gardens opened their gates on a sunny October day.

The wide inviting brick path on West Market leads through the side yard with old roses, ten foot tall hyacinth beans, trees and evergreens.

The back garden is neatly and fully packed with vegetables and herbs. The vegetable yield per square foot is amazing. Vertical gardening, succession gardening, companion planting fill the organic Italian garden from early spring to late fall.

A fig tree’s last fruit of the season is ripening. Soon the fig will be laid over and covered for the winter to be lifted again in spring.

Hidden behind a 1762 Colonial home on W. Market Street is an elegant and comfortable paradise.

Tall hydrangeas, mums, asters, anemone, roses, pine, spruce, hemlock and boxwood fill the garden with color and structure.

The tidy façade fronts this West Market Street home.

Vases of brightly colored dahlias dot the pocket gardens.

Tall dahlias shine in the sun.

A 200 year o

ld magnolia tree is a living testament to Bethlehem’s history. The garden creates a serene and restful place in the city

Open and airy, this West Market Street home could be a place in the country.

It reminds me of yards I played in as a child. Liriope and hosta surround a bench in the side garden under large old tree.

Filled with evergreens and flowers, it is a place that stirs the imagination for childhood games or a shady place to sit and read.

Next time I’ll continue my tour of Bethlehem’s secret gardens and travel down Center and Church Streets.

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Garden Tour

I’m on my way to Bethlehem Garden Club Garden Tour “Paradise Found”. The tour benefits the club’s community projects and scholarship fund. I had a short preview yesterday.

There are 8 gardens on the tour - from a small city garden with a koi pond to a rural oasis.

Some of the lush gardens on the tour will offer complimentary attractions such as a wine tasting, light refreshments, a raffle featuring gift cards to local garden centers and a plant sale.

There are some beautiful gardens in Bethlehem. It is "Paradise Found".

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Felicita Garden Resort & Spa

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Garden Resort AND Spa! Does it get any better than that?

When we visited with the Bethlehem Garden Club last week, azaleas and viburnum were in full bloom. The Rhododendrons were just coming into bloom. The property covers 800 acres including a golf course, California spa, lodges, dining and banquet facilities and the gardens.

Located 10 miles from Harrisburg, Felicita Garden is owned by PA Attorney and Mrs. Richard Angino. Mr. A, as he is known by the staff, marks plants to be moved or areas for a water feature and the staff takes care of making it happen. Mrs. Angino plans most of the gardens near the house. The gardens are not regularly open to the public, but tours can be arranged.

The Japanese garden near the house is a secluded and tranquil spot with a great views and spectacular plantings.

The Monet Pond’s design had the help of a professional designer as did several other areas on the property. But mostly, the unplanned look is the result of Mr. A’s eye for what looks good, quite a remarkable feat considering the expense of moving huge trees and shrubs and building large water features. Last year Felicita Gardens spent about $100,000 on new shrubs and trees.

Check out the gardens in the attached link. Picture 11 is a view of the formal Grecian Gardens. It is huge (7 acres) and quite amazing. This garden is used for parties, weddings and other formal affairs. http://www.felicitaresort.com/?View=Tour&Tour=Gardens

“From 2002 to 2005, the Anginos added five new gardens, including Butterfly, The Park, Perennial, The Secret Garden, and The Great Lawn. In 2006, two more gardens were added plus the new Nature Trail Gardens and par course opened, featuring 30 acres of mature hardwoods and pines underplanted with dogwood, red bud, hawthorn, birch, magnolia, rhododendron, azalea, mountain laurel, viburnum collections, ferns and mosses.”

A buffet lunch was served on the patio of the colonial style golf club. Perfect weather and good company completed an enjoyable tour.

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