I spent Sunday touring OPG (other people's gardens) in Annapolis on the Secret Garden Tour sponsored by the Hammond-Harwood House.

I wondered two things: Who would pay $25 to walk around my yard? And, would they mind paying in cash?

These gardens were located in the prosperous Murray Hill section of the City, not far from Church Circle and West Street. Annapolis is such a small town that I actually ran into people that I knew as we visited the 14 secret gardens.

Secret? Because they were located behind and beside this dignified and in some cases historic homes. Places you wouldn't be able to inspect unless you were willing to explain yourself to the local police.

Many of the houses we passed had gardens that were certainly worthy of being on the tour. But you have to have some nerve to allow "serious gardeners" pass through your yard and make judgments. I admire their courage.

I am a better gardener than I am a photographer - and I am a rank amateur gardener. But I chose four detail shots that I thought you might like.

And I saved you $25.

Asiatic lilies in a vibrant red.

Coral roses at the home of Dr. Stephen Faust, a noted Annapolis orthopedic surgeon. Several people on the tour were overheard taking credit for the purchase of the extraordinary roses in his garden.

A modest collection of pots on the deck of the home of Gary and Janice Jobson. It seems I never get these kinds of combinations right.

(As a side note, I covered Gary Jobson, the noted sailor, during a pair of America's Cup campaigns in the 1980s, in my days as a sportswriter.)

His front lawn was on display because, as he told the landscape designer responsible for it, he didn't want to mow grass ever again.

Someone was completely unimpressed by the passing parade.