Conifer and Hosta Heaven
The Garden of Rick and Mary K.
Both UW-Parkside alumni, Rick is also UW-Parkside’s soccer coach, and Mary is an art teacher. Together, they’ve used their artistic and winning ways to create a meticulous garden with something joyful around every corner. As lovely as their front yard and garden may be, no amount of imagination could prepare you for what lies beyond.
A perennial-laden pathway draws you into a backyard of meandering beds and borders. You’ll find yourself stopping often along your stroll: you don’t want to miss anything! It’s not until you finally pause to take in the whole view that you see a completely integrated garden design with an undeniable sense of rhythm and repose.
Always experimenting with new ideas, Rick and Mary’s garden is a pleasing melange of architectural and artistic elements--from wood work, to glass work. Handcrafted water features, a dry river bed, a screened gazebo, a fire pit, and sitting areas for contemplation, all are perfectly-placed counterpoints to the drifts of delicate salvias, daisies and sea thrift, to name just a few. Unusual dwarf conifers are artfully woven into the fabric of luscious annuals, perennials and hostas, creating exciting combinations of texture and pattern with well-placed focal points. Want to see how it’s done right? Well, then you’ve got to see this garden!
Bonus: Dr. Irwin Johnson, President of the Wisconsin Hosta Society, will be on-hand at Rick and Mary’s from 10:00am to 1:00pm on the day of the tour to offer advice and information on creating and maintaining your own hosta collection.
Tickets available at all Racine and Kenosha Educators Credit Union Offices or
Online until Thursday, June 12, 2008
