Hiding in Plain Sight
The Garden of Lois and Cynthia J.
For this mother-daughter duo, gardening is not simply a weekend hobby—it’s a way of life. Mixing Lois’ background as a Master Gardner and Cynthia’s avocation as a garden designer (she is also a UW-Parkside alumna and the university’s Director of Scholarships), here you’ll find a recipe for a sweet garden confection. Blessed with equal parts green-thumb-know-how, and a keen eye for the savvy use of architectural garden elements, there is an undeniable sense of unity that draws you in. Once in, it is the unexpected elements that make you want to stay.
Towering baskets of hybrid begonias surround a wrought iron gazebo floating among hydrangea, striated geraniums, iris, ajuga, hosta and nepeta--tethered to earth by trumpet creeper and climbing nasturtium. Flagstone walkways escort you in and around repeating elements of iron, stone and greenery, finally giving way to the 75-foot half-moon cottage garden anchored alternately by potting shed, covered bench, and arbor swing. The cottage garden holds an extraordinary blend of hundreds of perennials, annuals and small shrubs--but you are certain to also cross paths with the tropical and tender mandevilla, brugmansia, dahlia, fuchsia, colocasia and calibrachoa. But there is so much more yet to see…
Suddenly your eye catches site of an island of mixed textures. So well integrated into the landscape, it is not until you get closer that you realize you are overlooking a Koi pond encased in ten tons of limestone. Beyond that stands a raised perennial bed, awash with the color of sedums, daylilies, salvia, tamarix, miscanthus and campanula. A backdrop of a single, stunning honeysuckle of monstrous proportion creates its own secret garden—if you are clever enough to find the “door.” None of which is to be outdone by the hanging gardens and tea-cup water feature found deck-side, the 30-foot border of 70-year-old peonies, or the circular rock garden with bubbling stone fountain. Did we mention the vegetable and herb garden adjacent to the garden house just beyond the row of stately 40-year-old spruce?
Are you are looking for inspiration or relaxation? Either way, you won’t want to miss this garden!
Bonus: Local gardening expert, Jerry Nelson, and other The UW-Extension Racine/Kenosha Master Gardeners will be at this garden from 10:00am to 2:00pm to answer questions and offer advice on your own landscape and garden projects.
Tickets available at all Racine and Kenosha Educators Credit Union Offices or
Online until Thursday, June 12, 2008
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