On The Market: Building a scientist’s garden oasis in Wilmington
Renovations included the addition, which became a greenhouse with a glass wall separating it from a conservatory, as well as a brand new kitchen, refurbished dining room and a new four-stall garage with room for a tractor and golf cart.
When Eve and Per Thyrum bought their Wilmington home in 1979, the property was an overgrown orchard.
"I was looking for a place with a big-sized piece of property that was not developed," Eve said. "I wanted to develop and create my own style of gardens."
More than 35 years later, the gardens at Frog Hollow regularly appear on tours and have been an annual highlight of Wilmington Garden Day. They estimate that more than 12,000 people have visited the two-acre grounds.
Thyrum said she began gardening in earnest around 1980, with an original plan to restore the orchard.
"After probably eight years I got sick and tired of spraying – and the trees weren't that beautiful and the peaches were eaten by raccoons," she said.
She turned her interest and her background as a research biochemist to academic coursework at Longwood Gardens on ornamental horticulture.
"I knew I needed to understand all I could know about gardening in this area," she said. "Since I was a scientist, I sort of switched to botany from biochemistry. It was the same kind of learning, just different things."
The grounds now include landscaped gardens featuring fountains and ponds, a gazebo and a large pavilion, designed by Mr. Thyrum.
"I love sitting in the pavilion," Thyrum said. "We have lots of sitting spaces, lots of picnic areas."
She said the couple focused on renovating the land before they moved their attention inside the four-bedroom home. An addition in 1999 kicked off a series of interior upgrades.
Thyrum said her husband – a doctor who spent his career in pharmacology – designed most of the custom renovations, which were later implemented by professional builders.
"He's a frustrated architect," Thyrum said. "He never became an architect but he certainly did contribute to the house in a wonderful way."
Renovations included the addition, which became a greenhouse with a glass wall separating it from a conservatory, as well as a brand new kitchen, refurbished dining room and a new four-stall garage with room for a tractor and golf cart.
Today the couple lives in the Kendal community, which abuts Longwood Gardens. They have already added a terrace and a garden to their new home and Thyrum is working at the arboretum on the grounds there to label species of plants.
"I guess if I had to live all over again, I'd probably major in horticulture," she said.
Having moved more fully into the Kendal home they purchased in 2012, the couple has decided now is the time to list their home.
"We're both scientists and we're realistic," she said. "We can't stay here forever."
Frog Hollow has been listed by Holly Henderson-Smith and Dennis Mellor at Berkshire Hathaway Fox & Roach for $1,180,000.