Lisle gardeners open up their little slices of heaven for return of annual walk
Gardening gurus know the allure of being outdoors and planting a garden. With sun, water and a positive attitude, anyone can make their bit of terra firma lovely.
For an outdoor activity that is sure to inspire and delight, the Lisle Woman's Club Garden Gait walk is just what a pandemic-weary public could crave. The Garden Gait tour takes place from 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Sunday, June 13. It begins at the Museums at Lisle Station Park, 921 School St., Lisle. A craft fair and basket raffle will take place at the park. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 the day of the walk.
After taking last year off, club members have added more gardens to enhance this year's lineup.
Butterfly garden
Lisle Brownie Girl Scout Troop 55759, under the direction of leader Tamara Rotelli, has worked for several years to raise and save enough money to plan and plant a butterfly garden. The Lisle Park District helped by offering the troop a spot in Leask Lane Park, and showed the Scouts how to plant their eight flats of host plants, including an assortment of milkweed, coneflowers, phlox, coreopsis and liatris. The park is insect-friendly with no pesticides used in its maintenance. As part of the project, the Scouts learned all about the four stages of the metamorphosis of butterflies - moth eggs, larva, pupa, and adult. They are currently caring for pupas at their homes. They plan to release the butterflies in the park during the Garden Gait. For all their efforts, the Scouts earned an official Monarch Butterfly Waystation No. 31925 recognition.
Sheila and Ron Liss
Sheila and Ron Liss have been tending their garden for roughly 25 years. Two buckeye trees on the front corner of their property the couple grew from buckeye seeds. A row of peonies in front of the trees were divided originally from shrubs that belonged to Sheila's grandmother. On the side yard is the couple's "Blue garden" that highlights grape hyacinth, dwarf iris, blue hyacinth, wood hyacinth, and Siberian squill. The couple's vegetable garden in the backyard has peppers and tomatoes protected in water-filled covers. To new gardeners, Sheila offers this advice. "If someone is dividing up some plants, it is a low risk to take some and try them. Gardening does not need to be expensive, start small."
Charlene and Raymond Cebulski
Charlene and Raymond Cebulski know that gardening is always a work in progress. Central to their yard is a two-level pond surrounded by plants tucked into rock formations. The couple has an affinity for unique trees, bushes and evergreens. Included in the landscaping are a Japanese white pine, a little Nordmann fir, a Ginkgo tree, a Wiethorst hybrid pine, and a Lemony Lace elderberry that will grow to 4 feet wide and 6 feet tall, in a lime green color. They even have an oak tree that gets a fur-like growth on it and a Picea omorika "Nana," commonly called a Serbian spruce. The couple had to redo some of their landscaping when they lost a few trees and their yard went from all shade to full sun over one year.
Sharon and Daniel Helderle
Sharon and Daniel Helderle only kept three original pine trees when they redid their almost one-acre yard and added square footage to the house, patio and pergola since they purchased the house 13 years ago. A mix of hanging pots, roses, dianthus and statuary flank a winding flagstone path on the side yard along with 23 different kinds of hostas. A raised vegetable garden includes tomatoes, zucchini, peppers, pumpkins, cucumbers and herbs. Five peonies that were from a friend of Sharon's mother are now home in their garden along with irises from family members. On a lovely metal arbor, both orange and yellow honeysuckle vines grow. A one-of-a kind garden gate that leads visitors to the side yard was created for the family using the metal soundboard of two baby grand pianos.
Alpa and Trushar Patel
Alpa and Trushar Patel love gardening and it shows. During the 30 years the couple have lived in their home, they completely replaced the landscaping, starting with a large fountain in the front yard. Twelve different rose bushes showcase Alpa's fascination with roses. A metal gate gives entrance to the rear yard that is anchored by a large pool, three large seating areas, countless flowering pots of annuals, a sea of white hydrangeas, and a fantasy Gingerbread play house made for small visitors. Five different peonies bring color near the house, whereas metal and stone accents are spaced throughout. A complete outdoor kitchen is the newest addition to the backyard complete with a special pizza oven.
Lisa and Roger Leone
Lisa and Roger Leone's front yard is home to a patch of purple smoke bushes, "Forever" rose bushes, a pink dogwood, and a huge oak tree. The rear yard has brick paths meandering through the mostly shade garden of coral bells, bleeding hearts, ferns, irises, and bluebells among the hostas of all kinds for a lovely combination. A white peony tree is an eye catcher. The couple has tended their half-acre lot for 42 years and plant what they like, said Roger. The couple also has a hot tub, gazebo and brick patio for their fire pit. Bird feeders and houses encourage nature to stay awhile, such as a visiting hummingbird. A viburnum reminds Lisa of her father's favorite bush. Near the front door hangs a sign that reads "Happiness." It says it all.
Lisle Woman’s Club Garden Gait
Where: Starts at Lisle Station Park, 921 School St.
Why: Proceeds support scholarship and philanthropic programs. The Growing Place will have annuals and perennials for sale at the museum.
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 13
Cost: $15 presale at local businesses or $20 on day of event. Tickets for sale in Lisle at Bicycles Etc, 6460 College Road; Crème de la Crème, 4710-3 Main St.; The Collective and Makery, 4724 Main St.; The Stone Center, 2127 Ogden Ave.; Tina’s Closet, 4745 Main St., Unit 105; Yarns Untold, 6476 College Drive; UPS Store, 1042 Maple Ave.; and Wild Birds Unlimited, 1601 Ogden Ave. In Downers Grove, Anderson Bookstore, 5112 Main St. In Naperville, The Growing Place Garden Center, 25W471 Plank Road.
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