Downers Grove Garden Walk 2012

Saturday, July 14, 2012

To benefit the DGFUMC Bridge Board program

providing transitional housing and mentoring
for formerly homeless families

The 7th Annual Downers Grove Garden Walk will give you an opportunity to view some of the most beautiful gardens in the area. All proceeds benefit the DGFUMC Bridge Board in providing transitional housing and mentoring for homeless families. Below are descriptions of the gardens that were included in the 2012 Garden Walk.

Click on photos to enlarge them

Vicky and Bill Frenz

3917 Venard Road

• A variety of shrubs and trees including an ‘Emerald Twister’ Douglas Fir, a ‘Burke’s Red Variegated’ Japanese Pine, and a ‘Black Lace’ Elderberry Shrub begin your tour of this amazing garden.
• A large pond with two waterfalls and a stream that winds its way to an island and yet another pond are framed with a variety of roses, daylilies and perennials including amsonia hubrichtii, blue false indigo and many more perennials.
• Be sure to note the waterlilies and purple pickerel among the Koi. The many variety of hostas, ranging from large to small, as well as the ornamental grasses and ferns make this both a peaceful and restful haven.

Karen and Mike Weleba

4145 Washington

• Mature maple trees, a “Black Lace” Elderberry Shrub, Oak Leaf Hydrangeas, and a variety of shade perennials including astilbe and hostas such as Fat Cat, Blue Dolphin and Praying Hands along with hakonechloa grasses and Toad Lilies welcome you to this picturesque and unique garden.
• The sunny section of this lovely garden includes Asiatic and Oriental Lilies, an array of echinacea, Bear’s Breach and Pasque, many grasses and native plants as well as a vegetable garden.
• A water feature surrounded by rose of sharon, Solomon’s Seal, Turtleheads and loose- strife welcome you to a peaceful view filled with unusual annuals in unlikely containers that will spark your imagination.

Shirley Hesslau

4803 Prince Street

• Trailing ivy geraniums on a picket fence welcome you to this enchanting mostly shaded garden which is home to many varieties of ferns, ligularia, as well as many sizes, shapes and colors of hostas.
• A woodland path entered through a vine-covered trellis lead to various vignettes throughout with a mixture of oriental art that enrich this tranquil paradise. Star Magnolias, hydrangeas, Japanese Variegated Willow and a Korean Spice Bush also adorn this peaceful garden.
• The pond-less waterfall surrounded by coral bells and grasses accent the Amish style deck containing gardenia bushes, Mandevilla and hanging artwork.

Nancy Fallon-Houle

5449 Bending Oaks Place

• This lovely shade garden begins with a sunny introduction featuring nine varieties of sedum, hens and chicks, phlox and roses. The front also includes fifteen varieties of coral bells, five varieties of ferns, variegated pachysandra, hydrangeas, azaleas, rhododendrons, and a star magnolia.
• The walkway to the back yard brick patio leads to a prolific ajuga mat, astilbes, coral bells, tatting ferns, and variegated sedum and ivy. Bright green moss and coral bells grow out of the retaining walls to enhance this peaceful retreat.
• The lush back yard of younger hardwood trees and a mature black walnut tree, create perfect conditions for this walk-through shade garden containing Japanese Painted Ferns, huge astilbes, ‘Jon Jon’ Magnolias, japonicas and many other shade- loving plants.

Judy and Larry Strain

5410 Lee Avenue

• A Little Leaf Linden tree welcomes you to a brick walk for a panoramic view of this spacious garden that begins with numerous container plantings and the sound of a 40-foot stream meandering through beds of evergreens shrubs and perennials to the Koi pond.
• An arbor room covered with roses, wisteria and clematis is a perfect spot to relax and enjoy the Koi. Be sure to admire the rare Sweet Gum Tree.
• The dry river bed spanning the yard is framed with a variety of perennials, roses, and shrubs. Tucked among the foliage throughout the yard are subtle garden art that enhance this place of soothing quiet.

Brian Helfrich

625 67th Street

• An artful patio framed with ferns, shrubs and annuals greet you at the front of this home and set the tone for this beautiful garden.
• A charming arbor welcomes you to a pebble beach at the base of a small waterfall framed with greenery and the peaceful sound of water. Mossy, craggy rocks create another waterfall that spills into a pond populated with water lillies and flowing under a floating gazebo.
• An array of potted annuals and perennials surround a stunning outdoor kitchen to complete this paradise.

Ada Bleecker

7S145 Vale Court

• An eclectic selection of perennials including ornamental grasses, knockout roses, spirea, Angel’s Trumpet and a mature Oak Leaf Hydrangea welcome you to this lovely garden.
• The charming clematis-covered arbor leads to a trickling pond surrounded by hosta, bleeding hearts, ferns and foam flowers all shaded by a large ‘Shade Master’ Locust Tree. Note the potted herb garden and containers of various annuals.
• Stone steps lead to a gazebo surrounded by ornamental zebra grasses, Dwarf Oak Leaf Hydrangea, Rose of Sharon, and bee balm -- a perfect place to enjoy a cup of tea and a book.

About the work of the Bridge Board

The Bridge Board of First United Methodist Church is a program partner with Bridge Communities effecting change for formerly homeless families — leading them to a better future. The Board provides housing, mentoring, direction, encouragement and a stable environment so that families may become self-sufficient and sustain their independence.