Garden Walk Showcases Hidden Garden Gems
Garden Walk Showcases Hidden Garden Gems
I drove down a country road and arrived at my sunny destination to see an enchanting crabapple tree bursting with white flowers, alongside textured grasses interwoven with colorful purple perennials that created a sense of movement, as if waving back and forth to welcome me. I walked along meandering paths into an expanse of shade gardens with woodland and native plants in between wetlands bordered by majestic oak trees. Virginia Blue Bells, pink Azaleas and purple Ajuga glistened in the sunlight as birds and butterflies flitted by. The hummingbirds and orioles had arrived. I came upon a gentle waterfall softly flowing into a pond with orange and white Koi fish swimming, as rays of sunlight sparkled off the water with reflections of colorful flowers. It was a fanciful oasis, a place to escape and collect one's thoughts.
Seeing someone's garden is a personal experience that provides a window into a gardener's private sanctuary and a bit of their soul. We all yearn for a peaceful place in these chaotic times, and the five spectacular gardens on the June 26th Hidden Gems Garden Walk* offer the perfect respite and a rare glimpse of these secret garden treasures. See Towncountrygardenclub.com/events for details.
The gardens just off that country road surround the stately lannon stone home of landscape architects Sharon and Craig Anderson. Sharon graciously provided a walking tour of the four acre sanctuary she and her husband created.
The Anderson's gardens are a magnificent combination of old and new, a synergy of natural and created beauty. These lovely gardens attract a multitude of wildlife and are framed by mature oak and shagbark hickory trees, carefully preserved from the original property. There are flowers too numerous to name in the meadow and woodland gardens, each selected so that something blooms every season. Large rock outcrops are also a key design element. The inspiration for the tapestry of billowing grasses and perennials in their front yard was the natural style of design referred to as the "New American Garden," by landscape architects Oehme and Van Sweden.
Driving back into the western part of Libertyville, I came upon the tranquil and well-tended gardens of Kris Eick. Kris has created two Certified Monarch Gardens with native plants and over one hundred different perennials which attract not only butterflies, but also dragonflies and hummingbirds. Creating Monarch gardens helps increase the population of these endangered insects which pollinate our flowers. The Monarch Certification is given by the North American Butterfly Association (NABA) and requires growing caterpillar food and butterfly nectar sources and discourages the use of pesticides.
There is always something new happening in Kris's gardens. One day, she came upon a Black Swallowtail butterfly laying eggs, and another time found a chrysalis. Her beautiful Asian-themed backyard has raised garden beds and is bordered by mature trees. A Koi pond with two gorgeous waterfalls was designed and installed by her son Jason, and is home to eight Koi fish.
There are five beautiful and unique gardens on the Saturday June 26th Hidden Gems Garden Walk which runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The walk is sponsored by the Town and Country Garden Club of Libertyville and supports civic plantings, the Libertyville food pantry, local charities and a horticulture scholarship. Tickets can be purchased on-line at TowncountryGardenClub.com/events or in person at: the Libertyville Village Hall, How Impressive (gift shop) and one of the garden walk homes on the day of the walk (see web site for details) . Ticket price is $15 in advance/$20 day of walk.