Adventures Outside the Garden: Wickford, RI ~ Part 2

Good morning. Welcome to part 2 of my adventure in Wickford, RI, last week. Wednesday, I shared a bit of the history of the town along with photos of the coastline and some of the colonial-era homes there. (If you missed it, click here.) Today, I’m sharing photos of some of the beautiful gardens in backyards, alley ways, and along the sidewalks. Come take a look at a quintessential New England village.

Throughout the village of Wickford, you’ll find gardens of every type. Flower gardens, shade gardens, espaliered fruit trees, container gardens, window boxes, etc. Every year, the container gardens and window boxes display different plants and flowers. They’re always beautiful, and I usually find at least one flower or plant I’ve never seen before. (Last year, it was spiral begonias. I’ll save this year’s surprise for last.)

Between most homes and along alley ways are beautiful flower gardens. This spot is full of gigantic marigolds growing along a white picket fence. Have you ever seen them grow this big?

Giant marigolds in Wickford, RI

Beyond the marigolds are coleus and large dahlias. (The building to the side is a church.)

Dahlias in a side garden in Wickford, RI

Along the sidewalks are many shade-loving plants like pachysandra, coleus, and hostas.

Hosta, coleus, and pachysandra along a sidewalk in Wickford, RI

One of the homes we passed had the most beautiful hibiscus plants. Look at these gorgeous flowers! (Excuse my Garden Wilson’s thumb. He was trying to get leaves out of the way so I could take a better picture of the flowers.)

Hibiscus flowers in Wickford, RI

In an alleyway behind another home was a beautiful garden with a large Rose of Sharon bush, a relative of the hibiscus. (Across from the Rose of Sharon was a pear tree espaliered on the house.)

Rose of Sharon bush in Wickford, RI

Almost every home along the main street had containers full of beautiful foliage plants and flowers flanking their front doors.

Container “garden” in Wickford, RI

And now for the annual “surprise.” When I saw this flower in the window box, I was awestruck! I have never seen this before and didn’t know what it was. Upon researching this stunning black flower, I discovered it is a bat orchid. (It’s also called “Devil Flower” or “Cat Whiskers.”) This plant is so amazing, I couldn’t choose which picture to share, so I’m giving you all three of the pictures I took. The homeowner had two window boxes of these orchids.

See the “cat whiskers” cascading down?

Bat Orchid ~ Wickford, RI

Here are a couple of closeup pictures of the orchid in the second window box.

Bat Orchid ~ Wickford, RI

Absolutely stunning, don’t you think?

I hope you enjoyed my little adventure through the village of Wickford. The quaint streets, beautiful gardens, and coastal locale keep me returning year after year. If you ever visit Rhode Island, you have to stop in Wickford. Among the old homes there are always a few surprises.