Garden Walk 2009

Up at 6:00am after getting to bed only 4 hours earlier, I was determined but tired. Plans were set in motion the day before to have teams of people putting up the tent, setting out the table, chairs, and complimentary water; hammering in the signs, and checking off the gardens that would be open for public view. Coffee in tow, we all did our part with overcast skies, and crossed fingers ... hoping that the rain would hold off until 3:05, the very minute we'd finish the self-guided tour.

We weren't so lucky. At 10:05 a thunderstorm bringing about 3" of rain came rumbling in with lightening as it's warm-up act. Still, it didn't deter garden enthusiasts from all over Western New York and even Canada, and with umbrellas and rain jackets they walked from garden to garden, smiles on their faces, with nothing but beautiful things to say. You can pick your guide up at the tent above, and let's get going.

Just across from where the tent was placed this year, a neighbor put together this wonderful "Welcome" Garden. A mix of plants that she purchased, and plants that neighbors split, bought, or gifted, this mall garden in the median of our parkway is a great first glance at the riot of color and myriad of beauty the rest of the street beholds.

This graciously curved bed is whimsical, and you've seen it before. Yes, this belongs to my very good friend Melisa, who is a fantastic gardener. We'll do a Share a Garden Sunday on her yard in the coming weeks, but if you open this photo up for a larger view and look to your right, you'll see the Labrador topiary Melisa got for her birthday, sporting all sorts of interesting ferns and succulents.

This two-family home is owned by a floral designer, and the profusion of pink is one that I've witnessed a few years in a row now. It's a great compliment to the greens in the rest of their yard, and one of the favorites among architecture and garden lovers that toured Saturday.

This backyard garden is the work of a Master Gardener and Landscape Designer who lives on our very block! A wonderful resource for garden and landscaping advice, she's the person who so graciously took all of the photos I've posted today! Her garden, if she'll allow - will be a SAGS feature as well.

Here, a taste of what lies beyond in this shaded front yard garden. This homeowner was the creator of our Welcome Garden at the front of the street, and hosted our prayer service the morning of the Walk. A great friend and neighbor, we'll explore more of her garden with SAGS, too.

The entrance to the backyard of my "almost" next door neighbor. So whimsical, with a great cottage feel. Love the white picket fence.

And of course - who could resist taking a picture of Earl?

My backyard garden.

The mayor of Niagara Falls lives on our very street, but believe it or not, this is NOT his house. Those flags sure would make you think differently, though! This garden was beautifully orchestrated last year, and the rooftop planter rounded with the same flow of the porch was an addition this year.

The porch where it all started! This is the beautiful home of our very own "Margaret" who we talk about sometimes here on Color Outside the Lines. Her children, along with neighborhood kids sold Lemonade to benefit Alex's Lemonade Stand to cure childhood cancer. I believe they raised about $130 this year, a wonderful contribution to a great cause. Of course "Margaret's" garden will be a SAGS feature, too.

This year we had another street play along, and this backyard garden is the work of a true artist. The homeowner (a High School Art Teacher, and artist) and his mother, a Master Gardener have been working so hard on this garden, and their artistic touch and hard work shows, doesn't it?

Here the house next door, known as "Higgin's House" has a beautiful backyard we'll get in a SAGS feature soon.

And the front yard and porch of my very good friend Dorothy who did so much work with her husband to get ready for the Garden Walk and make their already beautiful home a stand out on the street. The pathway to the right was a new addition, along with some backyard gardening we'll get to see this coming Sunday!

And finally, the home of another great pair of friends. This garden was made to order, and delivered just 2 days before the walk - just in time, and very beautiful, don't you think?

So there you have it, a pseudo tour of a few of the houses on this years walk. A full link of the houses on the walk will be posted on our Block Club website soon, and as soon as they're up, I'll link over. Hope you enjoyed the short walk ... I'll have a tour of our garden up on Wednesday, and Thursday.