Site 1 Sylvia and Karl Hansen
“Calling all nature”
The sound of the trickling stream teases the senses as the forest embraces the backyard landscape. The natural water feature attracts all kinds of wildlife which signals its healthy nature- crawfish, frogs, toads, birds and deer. The Hansen’s plant native plants to preserve the natural ecosystem and foster a rich bird and butterfly garden. As an artist, Sylvia regards her garden as a 3-D canvas and tries to apply design principles or rhythm, unity, and repetition to the elements of line, shape, texture, scale and color. Sylvia is always experimenting and changing, but regards the plants as the greatest design feature. Sylvia says that she is more sparing of garden art using it as a way to draw attention to the plants and to make the viewer pause and enjoy each garden area as an integration of the whole garden. Visitors often remark how peaceful it is to sit and enjoy the sound of the water.
The sound of the trickling stream teases the senses as the forest embraces the backyard landscape. The natural water feature attracts all kinds of wildlife which signals its healthy nature- crawfish, frogs, toads, birds and deer. The Hansen’s plant native plants to preserve the natural ecosystem and foster a rich bird and butterfly garden. As an artist, Sylvia regards her garden as a 3-D canvas and tries to apply design principles or rhythm, unity, and repetition to the elements of line, shape, texture, scale and color. Sylvia is always experimenting and changing, but regards the plants as the greatest design feature. Sylvia says that she is more sparing of garden art using it as a way to draw attention to the plants and to make the viewer pause and enjoy each garden area as an integration of the whole garden. Visitors often remark how peaceful it is to sit and enjoy the sound of the water.
Site 2 Lori and Roy Peterson
Blue Ribbon Winner
The Peterson gardens have produced many plants and vegetables that have won 4-H blue ribbons. Maybe it has something to do with their homemade compost. When they moved in five years ago, the gardens were all overgrown and neglected. Since then, they have moved trees and brought many generational plants from prior homes, parents and grandparents. They have added raised box gardens, bird houses and baths, statues, barrels, benches and pumps for interest and accents. Butterfly bushes, lavender, hyacinths, tulips, daylilies, clematis, honeysuckle, provide flashes of color throughout the landscape. The Petersons will never go hungry with their plum, apple, pear, and peach trees. They also grow raspberries, blackberry, strawberry, horseradish, asparagus, garlic and onions. Roy says that his garden feels like a serene country garden in the middle of the city.
This garden was selected because of the wow factor when driving by. The vegetable gardens are neatly tucked in places most people would not expect with flashes of colorful flowers intermingled.
The Peterson gardens have produced many plants and vegetables that have won 4-H blue ribbons. Maybe it has something to do with their homemade compost. When they moved in five years ago, the gardens were all overgrown and neglected. Since then, they have moved trees and brought many generational plants from prior homes, parents and grandparents. They have added raised box gardens, bird houses and baths, statues, barrels, benches and pumps for interest and accents. Butterfly bushes, lavender, hyacinths, tulips, daylilies, clematis, honeysuckle, provide flashes of color throughout the landscape. The Petersons will never go hungry with their plum, apple, pear, and peach trees. They also grow raspberries, blackberry, strawberry, horseradish, asparagus, garlic and onions. Roy says that his garden feels like a serene country garden in the middle of the city.
This garden was selected because of the wow factor when driving by. The vegetable gardens are neatly tucked in places most people would not expect with flashes of colorful flowers intermingled.
Site 3 Cheryl And Ed Borkowski
Mesmerizing Pond
Visitors will find themselves staring at the ornamental pond which the homeowner swear keeps the noise down. The homeowner will answer many questions about the various plants decorating the pond. If the visitors enjoy unique trees, the ginko, shagbark hickory, paperback maple, pagoda dogwood, or river bark birch may catch attention. Some guests will want to know how the Borkowski’s kept their three ash trees alive when so many have lost theirs. Some people may be drawn to the variety of shrubs – beautyberry viburnum, hydrangea, bush clover, rose of Sharon, and mini evergreens. Cheryl says, “I love different flowers, colors and textures.”
Visitors will find themselves staring at the ornamental pond which the homeowner swear keeps the noise down. The homeowner will answer many questions about the various plants decorating the pond. If the visitors enjoy unique trees, the ginko, shagbark hickory, paperback maple, pagoda dogwood, or river bark birch may catch attention. Some guests will want to know how the Borkowski’s kept their three ash trees alive when so many have lost theirs. Some people may be drawn to the variety of shrubs – beautyberry viburnum, hydrangea, bush clover, rose of Sharon, and mini evergreens. Cheryl says, “I love different flowers, colors and textures.”
Site 4 Mike and Connie Stanton
Curve Appeal
When Connie first moved in twenty years ago, the yard was nothing but barren yellow clay. Connie was determined to make it bloom and she did. Every plant has been meticulously planned and placed in curved mulched beds. A paved path leads visitors past the herb garden with lavender accents. This same path branches out to a tea rose garden surrounding an ornate table. The boulder wall surrounding the deck is covered with various thymes. The perimeter of the landscape boasts a plethora of cheerful white and yellow daisies. This yard exudes elegance through the use of curves, repetition, and tasteful art pieces.
They also have an organically maintained vegetable garden.
When Connie first moved in twenty years ago, the yard was nothing but barren yellow clay. Connie was determined to make it bloom and she did. Every plant has been meticulously planned and placed in curved mulched beds. A paved path leads visitors past the herb garden with lavender accents. This same path branches out to a tea rose garden surrounding an ornate table. The boulder wall surrounding the deck is covered with various thymes. The perimeter of the landscape boasts a plethora of cheerful white and yellow daisies. This yard exudes elegance through the use of curves, repetition, and tasteful art pieces.
They also have an organically maintained vegetable garden.
Site 5 Denise and Dave Jones
Whimsical Wonderland
The garden features many unique plants. One is the basket flower plant which looks just like a basket and then opens up into a sunny yellow puff. Other outstanding features are the purple smoke tree, weigela, red twig dogwood, burning bush, nine bark diablo, hydrangeas, pussy willow and bridal wreath spirea to name a few. The homeowner is very proud of her hidden fairy garden and enchanted forest pathway. “I love my garden and consider it and all of creation a gift from God. It doesn’t matter if I am pulling weeds in 80 to 90 degree heat or just smelling the roses. I love gardening.”
The garden features many unique plants. One is the basket flower plant which looks just like a basket and then opens up into a sunny yellow puff. Other outstanding features are the purple smoke tree, weigela, red twig dogwood, burning bush, nine bark diablo, hydrangeas, pussy willow and bridal wreath spirea to name a few. The homeowner is very proud of her hidden fairy garden and enchanted forest pathway. “I love my garden and consider it and all of creation a gift from God. It doesn’t matter if I am pulling weeds in 80 to 90 degree heat or just smelling the roses. I love gardening.”
Site 6 Rick & Corinna Graham
Back to Basics
“Heirloom plants, seed collection, seedling room, cold frame planting, rain barrel water collection, oh my!” The Grahams have a “Green garden.” They recycle newspapers for weed barrier and mulch with grass clippings, and compost year-round. The garden features three varieties of hydrangea, butterfly bush, honeysuckle, Miscantus, sweet pea, morning glory and more. The kaleidoscope of blooming flowers is beautiful, but the vegetable garden is astounding. Corinna says, “ Our garden is special because it is a shared passion between my husband and me. It is hard work, but it is healthy work. We spend our quality time creating beauty.”
“Heirloom plants, seed collection, seedling room, cold frame planting, rain barrel water collection, oh my!” The Grahams have a “Green garden.” They recycle newspapers for weed barrier and mulch with grass clippings, and compost year-round. The garden features three varieties of hydrangea, butterfly bush, honeysuckle, Miscantus, sweet pea, morning glory and more. The kaleidoscope of blooming flowers is beautiful, but the vegetable garden is astounding. Corinna says, “ Our garden is special because it is a shared passion between my husband and me. It is hard work, but it is healthy work. We spend our quality time creating beauty.”
Site 7 Julietta and Sherman Chevalier
Serenity
“Welcome to ‘Serenity’ a place to rest awhile as you gaze upon our garden.” The curb appeal garden focal point says, “Welcome.” Julietta creates garden interest by contrasting textures and colors. A soothing sound can be heard as a tall angel statue pours water from an ewer into a pond. Four copper colored gated arches guide viewer through meandering flagstone paths in the backyard garden and café. Guests will want to pause frequently to view the plethora butterfly and bird enticing perennials, grasses, vines and bushes (Tri-colored althea, tri-colored butterfly bush, multi-colored coneflower, fire blanket, snow fountain weeping cherry, corkscrew Australian Black Pine, and more.) Julietta has selected unique plants, not just for the flow, but the interesting leaf color. As Julietta relaxes in her hanging yoga chair, she enjoys the backyard waterfall that flows into the ornamental pond.
“Welcome to ‘Serenity’ a place to rest awhile as you gaze upon our garden.” The curb appeal garden focal point says, “Welcome.” Julietta creates garden interest by contrasting textures and colors. A soothing sound can be heard as a tall angel statue pours water from an ewer into a pond. Four copper colored gated arches guide viewer through meandering flagstone paths in the backyard garden and café. Guests will want to pause frequently to view the plethora butterfly and bird enticing perennials, grasses, vines and bushes (Tri-colored althea, tri-colored butterfly bush, multi-colored coneflower, fire blanket, snow fountain weeping cherry, corkscrew Australian Black Pine, and more.) Julietta has selected unique plants, not just for the flow, but the interesting leaf color. As Julietta relaxes in her hanging yoga chair, she enjoys the backyard waterfall that flows into the ornamental pond.
Site 8 Over the Moon Ice Cream Saloon
Beth Rodger
Ice Cream and Flowers
How much closer can you get to heaven than eating ice cream while sitting in a garden? Beth’s garden in progress has provided a garden patio for customers to enjoy while eating ice cream. She grows hydrangea hibiscus, Cantonese iris, lilies, columbine, lavender, butterfly bush, black-eyed- Susan, water iris, mandevilla, and calla lily.
This is a business, but if a person is going to purchase ice cream, he might as well enjoy the view as well.
How much closer can you get to heaven than eating ice cream while sitting in a garden? Beth’s garden in progress has provided a garden patio for customers to enjoy while eating ice cream. She grows hydrangea hibiscus, Cantonese iris, lilies, columbine, lavender, butterfly bush, black-eyed- Susan, water iris, mandevilla, and calla lily.
This is a business, but if a person is going to purchase ice cream, he might as well enjoy the view as well.
Site 9 Shirley Smela
Passion for Gardening
“I love getting up in the morning and seeing all of my children ‘plants’ frolicking in the sun. It makes me feel alive.” When Shirley first moved to the property in 1981, it only had two small garden beds. Since then she has added twenty-three beds, a large pond and a babbling waterfall on the 1 ½ acre property. Her plant known as sensitive plant because it curls when touched is her most prized garden possession. Other unique plants are her black pussy willow and meadowsweet. It took a lot of muscle and hard work which is never ending. She makes her own compost and collects water into water barrels. Shirley says that after she became a Master Gardener, she has not been able to go by a plant without wanting it for her garden.
“I love getting up in the morning and seeing all of my children ‘plants’ frolicking in the sun. It makes me feel alive.” When Shirley first moved to the property in 1981, it only had two small garden beds. Since then she has added twenty-three beds, a large pond and a babbling waterfall on the 1 ½ acre property. Her plant known as sensitive plant because it curls when touched is her most prized garden possession. Other unique plants are her black pussy willow and meadowsweet. It took a lot of muscle and hard work which is never ending. She makes her own compost and collects water into water barrels. Shirley says that after she became a Master Gardener, she has not been able to go by a plant without wanting it for her garden.
Note: "Serenity" poem was written by Julietta Chevalier the owner of site 7. The garden background is part of her garden.
