Visitors' Comments
Comments
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Thanks so much for the incredible tour. I hope we can remember just a fraction of what we learned.
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5-Star Review on Google
Very Nice! -
5-Star
Tour of the garden was informative and fascinating! Tour guide was knowledgeable and friendly. Highly recommend! -
Dear Lesley and Tom,
This is the most beautiful 3 acres in Virginia! Lesley and Tom are charming and exceedingly patient! The gardens are the glorious product of 30 yrs of loving, artist, savvy work. They are available to visit, for picnics, engagements, so much more. All fees are donated to Virginia Land Conservancy. -
Lesley,
We so enjoyed your beautiful gardens and meeting you and Tom.
We are taking home a delightful memory. Thank you! -
I was looking for things to do with my 94 year old dad in Luray and came across your gardens. So glad that we called you, my Dad really enjoyed talking to you both and your gardens are beautiful!!
(Sorry it took me so long to write.) -
Thanks so much Lesley.
You and Tom made the field trip so much fun for the kids.
Also, I got to remember how awesome gardening is and felt inspired not only to take care of my indoor plants but my outdoor plants.
Gardening is such a lovely practice. My hope is that maybe, not now but somewhere along the future, these kids can remember the trip and the place and head back to your garden with their families. They can experience it at different seasons and learn to cultivate.
Perhaps, that will put into perspective that they are part of a bigger environment. They are learning so many things now but one day it will all click.
A few people were already connecting the dots as to how the subjects they are learning in school work together. All this to say that they are learning how things work :) -
Dear Lesley,
We loved our tour of your impressive garden. The collections and placement of material throughout the three acres was gorgeous. Clearly it has been and continues to be a labor of love and benefits so many creatures, critters and people too.
Thanks for the photos. They are a reminder of the beauty of your property:)) -
You may recall, that our friend, David arranged a lovely day at your garden for Ben and our son, Michael, and grandson, Cole. You very kindly gave me a ginkgo tree. I am pleased to report that the “tree” is thriving and it now 18 inches. Should you and your husband ever be planning a trip to Browntown way, we should be delighted if you would visit us. We spend a great deal of time working in the gardens but they cannot compete with your beautiful gardens!
John -
5.0 star rating 11/8/2020
This an absolute must-see if you're in the area! Not only is the garden absolutely amazing, but the owners are so very kind and full of knowledge about all plants and flowers! I was shocked to learn that they owners do all of the work plus the tours.
Long story short, this garden is gorgeous and I highly recommend checking it out. Also, reserve a spot for a picnic, we booked in advance and enjoyed lunch with a gorgeous view! -
5.0 star rating 4/17/2021
What a fantastic garden tour done by people who clearly love gardening and flowers. A beautiful 3+ acres to stroll through. -
Steve and I just wanted to say it was a pleasure meeting you both and really enjoyed our time spent with you. I wish we could have stayed longer. We're heading home tomorrow but will keep in touch. Please keep doing what you are doing because you do it well!
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Lesley,
Great meeting both of you. I grew up farming and gardening and I have a great appreciation for the beautiful work you two have created over time. Thank you for the wonderful hospitality. See you in the spring. -
Thank you soooo much for the tour, the peppers and all the information! We enjoyed ourselves thoroughly!!! My husband thought YOU were absolutely delightful!
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5 Stars!!!
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Hi there!
This is Mikaela with Mikaela Heck Photography. I had a session at your garden on Wednesday! I just wanted to send some pics! And tell you thanks again for letting us take pictures at Birdsong!
Thank you!
Mikaela -
Lesley and Tom,
What a pleasure it was to tour your Birdsong Pleasure
Garden ~
What love, dedication and vision is shown at every turn. I might have to make this a seasonal venture to enjoy all your garden has to offer. It is truly "a Designated Virginia Treasure site." Thank you for sharing it with the world. My best to you both ~ Anne -
Hi Lesley, just a note of appreciation to you and Tom for the garden tour yesterday. I was amazed at the work you’ve done there and the beautiful retreat you’ve created. A wonderfully designed garden, with interesting plants and thoughtful plant combinations. Every garden is different, but yours is outstanding. I’d like to come back, and take the tour again.
Thanks for such a thoroughly enjoyable visit. -
Yesterday we decided to take a break and go enjoy the local scenery since the day was absolutely beautiful. We visited a place I have wanted to go to for over a year and it was so rewarding! Thank you Birdsong Pleasure Garden for letting us tour your beautiful gardens and spending so much time educating us on plants, trees, flowers and horticulture. We learned so much and you have reignited our passion for gardening!! It was truly amazing. Your gardens and you both are truly beautiful. We are so happy and grateful there are folks like you that have so much passion for nature! For anyone who has not visited Birdsong Pleasure Gardens you are missing out!
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Thank you for having us today. We had an amazing time in your beautiful garden ♥️♥️♥️
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Beautiful gardens.
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Very beautiful gardens!
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Dear Lesley and Tom,
We wish to express our sincere appreciation for your kindness and generosity of spirit in guiding our visit to your lovely home and gardens yesterday.
P.S. You are both so cool!
We wish we had had more teachers like you two!! -
Thank you Lesley for sending the pictures of us at Birdsong Gardens! We so loved our time there!
Most Sincerely,
Sue Glover
Centreville Garden Club -
Dear Lesley and Tom,
Thank you for welcoming us to your little piece of heaven last weekend. Your gardens are lovely, educational, and inspiring, a testament to what three decades, a great vision, and a lot of hard work can accomplish. As I look out at all the tasks that await me in my garden, I'm especially overwhelmed by your generosity in opening it for visitors and giving such an interesting and comprehensive tour. We enjoyed it immensley.
Sincerely,
Lesley Bell -
Thank you for a great afternoon.
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I visited Birdsong Pleasure Garden today with friends while off from work. It was a wonderful getaway that we all appreciated. I enjoyed seeing all the plants and landscaping with the mountains nearby. Tom gave us a tour and did a wonderful job explaining everything. My friends and I all said after leaving that he was exceptionally kind. I would definitely recommend making a stop here.
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Great place to visit. Really enjoyed the tour and the property!
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Dear Lesley,
Thank you so much for the enchanting tour. It feels like heaven to be in your garden. I only wish I had more time to have seen the cutting garden.
Next time.
Take care,
Elaine and Andy -
Tom & Lesley!
Thank you very much for the extremely interesting tour! -
Dear Lesley,
Lovely views, thank you again for your personal tour. What a transformation to your property from when you first moved in! -
Hi Lesley,
Thanks so much for the lovely tour that you provided for Centreville Garden Club.
Your landscape is absolutely stunning and a joy to walk through.
We can tell that both you and your husband are passionate about nature and gardening.
All your hard work shows!
I loved seeing the frogs, butterflies, bees and hearing all the birds who clearly love sharing
Your beautiful land. -
We are Keith and Susan from McLean in Fairfax County, Virginia. We visited and toured on May 30. Thank you so much for the experience that was one of the highlights of our Shenandoah River trip.
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Very lovely, pristine place.
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Lesley,
What a pleasure to meet you and Tom yesterday! Your gardens are stunning. You have inspired me so I guess you won't be surprised when I tell you I weeded three raised gardens yesterday afternoon. -
Darrell Walters
My wife, friend, and I enjoyed visiting this quaint garden. The homeowners have worked hard for the last 30 years creating this tranquil garden paradise. We enjoyed seeing all the beautiful perennials, shrubs, and trees that they have decorated with. We especially loved the pond at the entrance and enjoyed the swing looking out over the beautiful Massanutten Mountains. After the tour, we enjoyed a picnic lunch while swinging on the swing and looking at the mountain range. We enjoyed a charcuterie board and some delicious sangria. It was a perfect day to tour this beautiful garden. We gave a donation at the end and Lesley told me that all donations go to land conservation in Virginia. How wonderful! If you enjoy nature and love plants, this would be a great place to visit! -
Tom and Lesley:
I so enjoyed the tour you gave Del and me Friday. Your gardens are truly outstanding and Tom couldn’t have been more gracious, answering every question, accommodating my dog, and sharing such a wealth of information.
While on the golf cart, I mentioned a book about plants that I am enjoying so much. It is Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer. It is not about plants so much as looking at plants, and our relationship to them. The author draws upon her Native American heritage as well as her scientific training, all interspersed with moments of her own life. It is so well- written, and If you’re into audible books, she reads it herself, ( on Chirp app) in a beautiful, soothing voice. Given the time thetwo of you have devoted to plants, I think you would enjoy it.
Again, thank you, and I hope I have a chance to visit again some time.
Patricia Brady -
Tom,
Bob, Steven, and I want to thank you for the wonderful time that we had at your gardens yesterday. Your tour was so informative, and we learned so much. I hope we didn’t overstay our welcome, but we were enjoying ourselves immensely. I hope you and your wife are feeling better today. We hope to return to your gardens sometime soon, and we will recommend your gardens as a must-see destination to our friends.
Again, thank you for sharing your beautiful creations with us.
Fondly,
Susan Mears -
Lesley and Tom,
Thank you so much for hosting the Narrow Passage Chapter, NSDAR, meeting and allowing us to tour Birdsong Pleasure Garden. We appreciate all of your work and contributions to preservation and conservation. -
Simply can't imagine a more delightful and enjoyable place to make a new friend. Lesley was a wonderful tour guide and thoroughly knowledgeable docent and gardener. Such beautiful gardens! Such variety. So artistic.
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Dear Tom and Lesley,
Thank you for a wonderful day on Tuesday. It was a real joy to see all the wonderful flowers, trees and fish pond.
The ride on the golf cart was an added bonus.
I hope you will enjoy the kitchen towel. I crochet the top and hope you will think of me whenever you use it.
The whole da was great and enjoyed a great deal.
Sincerely, Vera Flint -
Dear Lesley & Tom,
Thanks so much for the wonderful tour of your wonderful garden. It was such a pleasurable event for me. I can't say enough wonderful things about it. I am so impressed with all aspects, the beauty, the hard work, the planning, etc.
Best Regards,
Nisi -
Hi Lesley,
Thank you for the wonderful tour. I love, love your garden.
It was nice meeting you and Tom. You two have created a little piece of heaven in your 3 acres of land!
Thank you for the picture.
Best Regards,
Violeta and Chris -
Dear Lesley,
Mom and I had such a good time! I am still in awe of all the work you've have to put in to make your gardens so gorgeous, and you fully deserved all those awards I saw. Mom was very touched by your kindness in providing the golf cart, and thoroughly enjoyed the extended tour. Thanks so much, and we absolutely hope to come back. -
Tom & Lesley,
Thank you so much for your hospitality during my visit at Birdsong Pleasure Garden. What a special treat!
JMU owes so much credit to you for your passion and support to help grow the university. I'm looking forward to seeing you again in the spring.
Stay well,
Jacqueline Painter
Beekeeper and owner of
Anchor Ridge Farm
Timberville, Virginia -
Lesley and Tom -
Thank you for creating such a lovely garden and sharing it with us all! You two are still great teachers...now regarding the environment, ecology and plants. Stay safe and enjoy the quieter, cooler season in peace!
All the best, -
Mr. and Mrs. Mack,
Thank you so much for giving Leanne and I a tour of your wonderful garden and spending you time with us. I could not have imagined how amazing it would look; your efforts really show in the tidy and well-tended arrangements. We would absolutely love to come back to visit in the future, if you'll have us. Best wishes, -
Hi Lesley,
We so enjoyed our visit today, please thank Tom for the tour and the patience with our son who likes to make all the possible mistakes 😂
Thank you both for creating such a gorgeous garden and the fresh produce!
I'll be writing Yelp and Trip Advisor reviews this week. We hope to return later with our parents and/ or friends.
Thanks again!
Natalie, Corinne & Ethan -
Wow. What a treat!
Not only is this an amazing personal garden, but you get to share with Tom and Lesley their story over their 25 years at this home. This was a highlight of our trip and we strongly recommend this. Did I mention he donates the entrance fee to a local preservation group? As you are walking around, keep in mind the two of them do this with no tractor or outside help. -
Dear Leslie and Tom,
Thank you, thank you, thank you for the beautiful day Saturday August 8 that Rachel and I were able to share with you. Your garden is amazing: a labor of love, a great work of art, and truly a lifetime achievement. Your graciousness and generosity in sharing your space, especially during the pandemic, has given us courage and inspiration.
When I drove past the strip malls outside of Luray proper, I was struck by the enormous contrast: crowds of people frequenting Wal-mart and fast food establishments, and the three of us strolling through the beauty of nature as you have envisioned it. I was greatly saddened by the poverty of our culture, and also inspired by the ability of two people - the two of you - to make such a contribution to the well-being of the entire community.
We leave you with the hope, prayer, and blessing that your generosity will be returned to you many times over.
Sincerely,
Katherine and Rachel
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