This is the eighth in a series of garden articles from the early 2000s about Walkerton Horticultural Society activities, which will be published several times over the next few months in loving memory of long standing society president, Nancy Bajurny ,who was always dedicated to beautifying our town.
“On April 17, 2004 the society hosted ‘Breakfast with Patrick and John,’ owners of Larkwhistle gardens at Dyers Bay. On a rainy Saturday morning, a packed audience came to the Bruce Room at the Hartley House to view a slide presentation of these spectacular gardens. Patrick told the story of how two city slickers in the summer of 1975, with a rake and shovel in hand, boarded a bus at Toronto and travelled to the Bruce Peninsula to check out some land in the country.
“On June 19, Edith Geffken conducted a tour of her ‘My Heart is In It’ gardens (Desboro area) which included a demo of planting in a trough planter and lunch by her pond.
“The society held their 10th annual Yellow Ribbon Garden Tour on Sunday, July 11, 2004 with nine gardens on tour. The first garden was that of Linda and John Finley. A garden arbour with a climbing honeysuckle and pathway with patches of soft moss led into a beautiful perennial garden. A gazebo surrounded by clematis is the perfect spot to sit and read a book while sipping a glass wine.
“The next stop was that of Ingrid and Jerry Gerlofsma. Beside the newly constructed garage is a desert garden with numerous potted cactus plants. The front yard is completely landscaped with ground cover, ornamental grasses, irises, and river stone. A sunken courtyard exudes a Mediterranean flavour. There are numerous garden ornaments throughout including an area called ‘frog hollow.’ A boardwalk beside the lily pond leads you to a peaceful sitting area under a stately arbour that provides support for a kiwi vine.
“Mac and Ann Bolton (Bolton Castle) are experts on growing roses. An old tree trunk carved into the shape of a huge bear looks onto the gardens in the backyard.
“One is greeted by a profusion of colour and textures at the home of Lynn and Ted Schaus. An open area decorated with a collection of wrought iron artwork and garden containers provides a Tuscan atmosphere and the pond and waterfalls add a tropical dimension. Privacy panels with a Japanese touch hold hanging containers, outside lighting and climbing plants.
“B.J. and Paul Guest have the perfect setting for a shade garden with Silver Creek rippling through their back yard and a huge walnut and beech tree. Lamium grows beneath mature spruce trees at the front of the house eliminating most of the grass.
“The gardens of Gertrude and Helmut Hoch were impeccable with splashes of colour everywhere and stunning roses and clematis. Helmut makes whimsical garden ornaments and beautiful birdhouses and his folk bench under a shady tree provided the perfect resting spot. A waterfall appears to empty into a dry riverbed that leads to a Japanese themed corner.
“Wendy and Steve Halk have a lovely patio area where one can sit by the arbour and admire roses and day lilies. A waterfall beside variegated grasses and a weeping willow adds to the beauty of this garden. Beneath the deck is a shade garden and a fountain.
“The gardens at the residence of Karen and RJ Creighton hold a lovely peacefulness. The many shades of silver in these gardens project a soothing feeling which bright colours cannot always provide. A spacious deck overlooking the gardens is a perfect place to relax.
“Patti and Mike Johnson gardens offer a large variety of plants and shrubs, a butterfly garden, a beautifully crafted deck, grandma’s rose garden and a veggie garden. A metal tree with three tiers is a very unusual focal point in the garden.
“On Sept. 15, a rep from Pickering nurseries did a presentation about roses.
“A wine tour of Rockway Glen and Kittling Ridge wineries in the Niagara is scheduled for Oct. 2.”
