Downers Grove Garden Walk 2010

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Gardens: 9:30am–3:30pm

To benefit the DGFUMC Bridge Board program

providing transitional housing and mentoring
for formerly homeless families

Muehlhaus Garden

1868 Grant St.

• Multiple unique gardens (woodland, butterfly, natural and a vegetable herb plot) contain more than 250 varieties of plants
• Relaxing gazebo connected to pergola surrounded by hydrangeas, climbing vines, containers and hanging baskets
• Certified from the Conservation Foundation's Conservation at Home program

Kupisch Garden

1801 Grant St.

• Flagstone walkway leads you through a Dropmore Honeysuckle covered trellis that ends at the front porch that is surrounded by a variety of hydrangeas, hardy geraniums, hucheras and hostas
• Back and side yards have seven different sitting areas nestled among spectacular flower beds filled with Summer Sweet Clethra, Cardinal Flowers, Shasta Daisies, Black-Eyed Susans and five varieties of sunflowers
• A gated secret garden with a Koi pond and waterfall amidst pines, yews, honeysuckle and cranberry bushes

Weil Garden

4520 Stanley

• Lush parkway full of sun-loving perennials announces your arrival to this naturalistic style garden
• Front shade garden filled with trilliums, epimediums, ferns and tiarellas lead past container grown tomatoes to the backyard oasis
• Reading nooks, patios and lounging areas provide comfortable areas to enjoy the calm sounds of a waterfall while enjoying this nature escape

Burgeson Garden

5118 Mackie Place

• A small, compact, multi-tiered garden offers the comic whimsy of a flying pig on the garden shed cupola that will welcome you to a bubbling pond near tranquil patio seating
• Clematis and climbing roses scramble over a vertical trellis and fencing, while scattered artistic pots of flowers invite visitors to linger and enjoy a peaceful moment
• Multiple varieties of perennials and annuals accent outcropping rocks along a winding stone path

Zaremski Garden

708 Plainfield Road

• Ironwood, Ash, Sweet Gum, Buckeye and Blue Beech trees anchor a 53-year-old Crab tree. Spruce, firs, arborvitae and yews add year round privacy and background color
• West garden is awash with native sun-loving perennials, Sweet Sprie, Ninebark, Dogwood, Smokebush, Forthergilla Spicebush and Holly, and six varieties of viburnum
• Walk up the brick path past an east shade garden and into the garden patio with a stunning outdoor kitchen

Dultsman Garden

435 86^th Street

• Mature pines surrounded by groundcover and various groupings of colorful perennials greet you as you enter this garden consisting of hydrangeas, larches and roses - some changing their color palette throughout each season on this expansive destination
• A terraced cutting garden with numerous varieties of flowers, such as asters, zinnias, daisies, foxgloves and sunflowers provide continual bouquets for the homeowner to enjoy
• A vegetable garden featuring raised beds, espaliered trees and raspberry plantings is filled with potatoes, tomatoes, pumpkins, squash and green beans

Ruthardt Garden

722 80^th Street

• Pristine park-like backyard retreat offers multiple beds of perennials, an emphasis on hostas, with over 25 varieties shown, accented with colorful annuals and mature trees
• Thoughtfully placed accessories enhance and enrich this tranquil paradise
• A gentle stream, quiet waterfall and colorful Koi pond offer a serene and restful spot that invites you to enjoy this garden

William (Bill) Aldrich

We are excited to announce that William (Bill) Aldrich will be sitting at one of the gardens for this year's garden walk and will sign books for anyone who has one of his many books.

Bill Aldrich is the seminar manager for the Chicago Flower & Garden Show. He recently retired as publisher and executive editor of Chicagoland Gardening, a magazine he founded in 1995. He is the co-author of six books by Lone Pine Publishing: Perennials for Illinois, Container Gardening for the Midwest, Best Garden Plants for Illinois, Annuals for Illinois, Tree and Shrub Gardening for Illinois, and Gardening Month-by-Month in Illinois.

At the Chicago Tribune, he wrote more than 200 feature articles for all sections of the paper over a 20-year span.

The Garden Writers Association, a professional society of nearly 2,000 members, has honored Aldrich as a Fellow. He has been a member since 1981 and served as the group's president from 1998-99. He served on the Executive Director Search Committee, as chair of the Long-Range Planning Committee and on the Honors Committee. He served as a judge for the Quill & Trowel Awards in photography and has won three Q&T awards for his writing.

Aldrich was a master gardener with the University of Illinois Extension for 14 years. He also has been a volunteer in the Idea Garden at Cantigny Gardens in Wheaton. He helps judge the Sheffield Garden Walk in Chicago. He holds a Bachelor of Journalism degree from the University of Missouri. He gardens at his home in Downers Grove and is the curator of two memorial gardens at the First Congregational United Church of Christ.

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.

Garden Walk information updated on July 3, 2010.