Design, In the Garden

The Endearing Gardens of Little Compton

June 22, 2023 by Bettie Bearden Pardee
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Seemingly a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of our City by the Sea, lies the quiet enclave of Little Compton. Last Saturday I joined my dear friend, Lynne White, to visit some of their dreamy gardens, sponsored by members of the Little Compton Garden Club, who are soon to celebrate their centennial. 

And here are vignettes, stunning details, and creativity in a special part of Rhode Island just 45 minutes across the Sakonnet River from Newport.

A Japanese statue, exported to the US in the mid-twentieth century for a Mississippi property, now to be found in a Little Compton garden. So representative of the public men, “he studied much and read books even while he was walking.” His statue was erected in the compound of every elementary school throughout Japan.

Of course, just the day after the Little Compton garden tour, the poppies popped…

And today I salute the Newport Flower Show, a beloved tradition which opens tomorrow, June 23rd. Hope to see many of you there!

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About Bettie Bearden Pardee

Author of Private Newport and Living Newport, garden furniture designer (The Parterre Bench), national lecturer, and entertaining expert. An honoree for the second year on "The Salonniere 100 America's Best Party Hosts", she was also the host and creative producer of "The Presidential Palate: Entertaining at the White House".

8 thoughts on “The Endearing Gardens of Little Compton”

  1. Hello!
    I so enjoyed the gardens too!
    The roses were spectacular and I took the same picture of the roses climbing the shed.
    Despite the dreary day, the gardens did not disappoint as you so beautifully captured lovely moments .

  2. I love going to Little Compton. Groundswell is one of my favorite stops. Their boulangerie is tops. Their gardens are magical. And, I couldn’t leave their garden shop without two massive terra cotta urns. Little Compton draws me to its open fields and quiet pace.

  3. Thank you once again for sharing the beautiful places we may never know!!! I for one cannot wait to see your photos from the flower show, assuming you will be sharing!

  5. Thank you for such beautiful pictures of that property. What is the plant in #4, growing up the lattice on the side of the little house: green leaves that turn pink? suellen

  6. LOVELY LADY,
    IT ALWAYS AMAZES ME THAT THE RATIO OF MALE TO FEMALE ‘COMMENTS’ ARE:
    9 TO 1 (OR CLOSE TO IT).
    AS TO ‘LITTLE COMPTON’ – ONCE AGAIN, SOMETIMES …
    ‘NATURE’ – LEFT TO ITS OWN CHOICE OF DISPLAY; EASILY OUTDOES HUMANS.
    BUT THEN:
    “A MAN’S (WOMAN’S) REACH SHOULD ALWAYS BE SHORT OF ITS GOAL, OR WHAT’S A HEAVEN FOR?”
    MANY THANKS (AGAIN).
    TOM

  8. Can one just “take a bite” out of a garden? These gardens are like precious grandchildren!

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