Garden enthusiasts Marcia and George Chapman have transformed a very ordinary backyard into an enchanting world of wonder.

“It’s the largest half acre on Cape Cod,” George Chapman beams, with his inimitable blue eyes twinkling, in response to the question, “How big is your garden?” A meandering moment spent exploring the various rooms, destinations, moments and vignettes found in Chapman’s garden befuddles any understanding of geometry and mathematics, because it seems impossible that all of this could be accomplished in a mere 1/2 acre.

Chapman, who along with his wife Marcia, has spent his life learning, sharing, explaining, executing and teaching everything about gardening, is the landscape director at Highfield Hall & Gardens in Falmouth. Their personal garden which embraces a modest home in East Falmouth greets visitors from the curbside, along the driveway, curls around behind the detached garage and beckons visitors into each remote corner, and back to the center again. The use of paths, and pauses are two of the elements that make the garden so beguiling.