By Aileen Petrozzi and photos by Ellen van Wageningen

Thank you, Brenda Taggart, Karen MacDougall and Peter Kathmann, and Megan Irwin and Roland Chaudat for hosting our first Garden Tour.  All 3 gardens were different and each of them beautiful. All gardeners stated it was work in progress. 

We started in the front yard of Brenda’s garden. Walking to the back of the property we were greeted by a canopy of beautiful trees including paw paw, hop, spicebush, redbud, and black cherry to name just a few. Some were hosts to many butterflies. There were many native plants in open spaces with ponds and a trellis that added a fairy garden feel to the area. This garden has been 25 years in the making and was just beautiful.  Brenda loves Hydrangeas and Hostas so they were intertwined in her garden.  Don’t have to stick with native or non native- put what you love in your garden.  You can definitely see the love in this garden.

Then down the road a bit was Karen and Peter’s garden.  As we walked to the back we were told about the struggles that they had with the property. We rounded the corner and there it was—the lake view to die for.  Walking towards the back there were many interesting stops including big, beautiful trees but the view drew you to the bluff.  You could take the 103 stairs straight down to Lake Erie or mix the stairs up with a path that meandered back and forth down the bluff, enjoying the plants, insects, and butterflies.  The garden on the bluff was mostly native.  Mid way down there was a spot to sit with a breeze from the lake where some of us sat and enjoyed a rest. At the bottom of the stairs there was a small beach and a little Bunkie or shed.  Karen and Peter said they come down to the beach to watch the beautiful sunsets or have dinner.   We brought our lunch and sat on the ground and benches soaking up the view and enjoying conversations.  Karen had her bird feeders out and we enjoyed the songs of many birds- cardinals, orioles, house wren and nuthatch. This garden is 10 years in the making, and they used as much recycled product as possible.  Very impressive garden and the work to restore the piece of property has taken a lot of hard work and hours.

In Harrow, was our next garden: Megan and Roland’s.  We were greeted by them both and welcomed with lemonade.  It was much appreciated with the day being very hot and sticky.  Their garden consists of 97% native plants, most of them labeled. We took the path in front with plants towering above.  This garden also had a canopy of trees: Elm, Hackberry, Hop, Hickory, Sycamore and red Cedars which were dug up from the side of road.  This garden was 3 years old, and it sure packed a lot into a small piece of property.

As you can see, 3 different properties- 25 yr old, 10yr old and a 3yr old.  All beautiful and very different.  

Great stewards of your property. We thank you again.