August Garden Walk
There will be a tour of at least three gardens in August which will include the homes of; Darya Cotter, Sandy Bishop and Amy Morse. More to come at a later date.

Wednesday, March 28th was a really pretty day- sunny and a little breezy.  Arlene, Cindy, Leslie, and I started off for the Roger Williams Botanical Park.  A short 45 minutes and we were there.  Perhaps I was a little premature in scheduling a garden walk to a brand spankin' new botanical gardens.  After all, one cannot plant a lot of trees, shrubs, and perennials one day and expect them to look like a mature garden.  Well, sorry to say I didn't think of this.  The botanical park is currently more like a rather large but confused double greenhouse.  Two of the greenhouses are still under construction.  Cindy and I were both agreeing that it felt somewhat unsettled with plants in a space together that would ordinarily not want the same conditions.  We learned that labels for plant materials had not yet arrived, and so plants were inadequately identified.  We covered the greenhouse area in maybe 40 minutes.   The time line of completion for the garden is 2011.  It is certainly close enough to drive to, so it might be interesting to check this area out regularly to see how a botanical garden develops.  All was not lost, however.  Cindy and Arlene rode the big carousel, and then we headed for the zoo.  It was a beautiful day for a walk in the zoo (which by the way is ½ price admission until 3/31).  By now the giraffes have probably had their babies.  On returning, we stopped at a little sandwich place Arlene knew of in Mansfield, called Mangia Bene.  A great place, but share the sandwiches because they are very big (and the cannolis are not pre-filled).

We enjoyed visiting the homes of Cindy Lemish, Linda Beal and Mr. and Mrs. Ken Woods last Saturday.   The weather was perfect, and we had a great turn-out.  

All three homes are a result of the homeowners own hard work, and love for gardening.

Linda's gardens with many many varieties of hosta and other unusual shade plants is an absolute must see.  She and her husband started working on her yard once her kids were grown and moved out.  I think they have been gone a while!  Some varieties of hosta she and her husband have actually created.   One called confused.  It doesn't know whether it wants to be variegated or solid or curly or straight.  Did you all know there is a hosta variety called Strip Tease?  Linda's got it, and rumour is she sells this wonderful variety on Saturdays at the Farmers Market.  Those of you who have not seen Linda's yard will need to cross your fingers that she will invite us back! 

Cindy's been hiding from us her beautifully manicured yard and perennial gardens with many many different plants and the most creative garden ornaments.  One beautiful garden after another....  What a motivator for those of us who also have large yards.  It can be done, you just need to invite Cindy over to help with design!  My mom thanks Cindy for showing her how to keep the bunnies away from her most adored plants.   She will no longer be chasing them and throwing rocks while in her nightie.   We enjoyed this wonderful yard, and would love to be invited back when her lilacs, peonies and irises are in bloom next year. 

The Wood's yard started at the curb with beautiful roses, perennials edging the entire side yard (he was bragging that all of his plants have come from the Garden Club plant sales) and a veggie garden just steps from the kitchen.  It didn't stop here.  He led us into a secret hideaway in the back, where we found the sounds of a running koi pond with koi that are 18 y.o. and the largest I've ever seen.  Mr. Wood proudly pointed out 30+yo evergeen trees brought home in dixie cups from New Hampshire and Vermont.   We all admired a kids log cabin play-house built for his kids years ago. Although these proud home-owners obviously spend a lot of time working in the yard, they showed off a little outdoor hot-tub room they have tucked under their deck......   The freshly baked breads and drinks were a bonus.

I hope those of you who couldn't make it last week, will be able to join us on our future walks.