Six private gardens will open to the public on Pottawatomie Garden Club's walk
"Garden Lifestyles" is the theme of the Pottawatomie Garden Club's walk, which will take place Saturday, June 24, and feature six beautiful gardens in St. Charles.
For the last 16 years the garden club has held a garden walk every other year highlighting local residences in the community. The gardens that will be open to the public this year display a variety of garden lifestyles, highlighting a little free library in one of the gardens, a miniature train that runs through another garden and other gardens that are retreats for entertaining or just enjoying relaxing in a beautiful space. A bonus to the garden walk is a Garden Boutique filled with garden related items for sale and this year perennial plants from member's gardens will be available for purchase.
Tickets for the garden walk, which takes place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., are $20 in advance or $25 the day of the event. Purchase tickets at the following locations: Heinz Bros. Greenhouse, Townhouse Books and Cafe, Trellis Farm and Garden, Wasco Nursery and SG Too, all in St. Charles. In Elburn tickets can be purchased at Countryside Nursery, and in Geneva; Scentimental Gardens and Grow Geneva. Also, tickets can be purchased at the garden club's website, pottagardenclub.org.
Proceeds from the garden walk are used to support community beautification and educational projects in St. Charles. Additionally, the garden club awards two scholarships to local students graduating from St. Charles Unit District 303 who will be studying horticulture or environmental studies in college.
The gardens to be featured include:
David and Molly Zacker, 506 Timbers Trail
The charming front yard features a Little Free Library. The Zackers battled garlic mustard and won when they moved into their home in 2000. It has been replaced with a wide variety of both sun- and shade-loving plants such as hostas, hydrangeas, and other perennials. The garden shed is decorated with beautiful pots and a unique fountain. Stone paths wind through the garden, and the stone terrace provides a place to sit, relax and enjoy the view.
Deborah Foote, 71 McKinley St.
Foote calls her garden her "happy place." The berm along the north side of her yard contains a wildly beautiful mix of perennials and annuals, including coneflowers, delphinium, Asiatic lilies, hostas and hydrangeas. The berm not only serves as a focal point for the garden, it also provides privacy for her flagstone patio and deck. As you leave you will see a well-tended vegetable garden growing along the south side of her home.
Tom and Cris Anderson, 712 Horne St.
The Andersons moved into their home in 1976 and over time have turned it into a shady oasis enjoyed by family and friends. The 0.7 acre lot started as open prairie. Today it is a shady retreat with lots of privacy. The centerpiece of their garden design is the large pond just off the deck. Adding another layer of interest, Tom installed an outdoor model railroad train. For a bit of whimsy, there is a row of numbered rubber duckies just waiting to race down the flowing water. For additional visual interest, glass and kinetic sculptures are placed throughout the Anderson's garden space. The Anderson home also features the Garden Gate Boutique filled with beautiful garden accents and other garden-related items for purchase.
Frank and Heather Lauria, 414 S. 4th Ave.
The Laurias have turned their corner lot into a beautiful entertainment space for family and friends. The bluestone patio makes the perfect setting for a table meant for entertaining. The east side of the backyard has a rock retaining wall that creates a raised garden above the lower yard's grass. In this raised garden you will find a variety of shrubs, trees and perennials. There are butterfly and bird houses full of whimsical charm tucked into the garden areas. Don't miss the stone fountain near the patio area.
Jeff and Joanna Parrin, 1006 Keim Trail
When the Parrins moved to their home in 2015, they set about creating a garden that would be kid-friendly and a great space to entertain. By working with the mature planting in the yard, they designed places for their children to play and family and friends to gather and relax together. A walkover bridge over a pond-less water feature draws you to the stone patio area. Here you can visualize the many gatherings the family has throughout the year. As you wind your way through the garden, look for the children's picnic glade. Color and interest are achieved by combining an assortment of shrubs and trees like red buds, Japanese maple, American hornbeam, hemlock and arborvitae. Bright splashes of color are provided by the knockout roses, hydrangeas, coralbells, allium and coreopsis. It is evident they have achieved their goal of creating a space for family and friends to gather.
Jeff and Kelly Deckrow, 2902 King James Ave.
The centerpiece of the Deckrow garden is a beautiful koi pond fed by a multistep waterfall stream. The wooded lot features shade-loving plants like hostas, ferns, and impatiens. A lovely wooden arbor invites you into the area of the yard featuring the pond. The large koi provide a mesmerizing pattern as they swim back and forth. Be sure to check out the surprise garden located under the stairs from the upper deck. Tucked into the foliage you will find interesting statuary and gazing balls. The fire pit area invites you to come and sit or maybe even roast a marshmallow or two.