Garden Tour 2019 Sponsored by Sedgwick County Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Program 

Elements of Tranquility

Hardscape and Rocks

8113 W. Meadow Pass Ct. 

 

The use of stone on this property will generate plenty of ideas for utilizing hardscaping in your landscape design.  Upon entering the backyard there is a majestic stone water wall with cast bronze statues of an eagle, river otter and blue heron that almost seem alive.

 

The garden beds throughout the property are complemented with colors from flowers such as begonias and pansies.

 

A Zen garden with Asian statuaries is situated in the corner of the yard along with rounded stones cleverly arranged to give the appearance of a flowing stream of water.

 

Look for the green, artistic, custom-made metal privacy wall on the side of the back deck.  It is an undulating, multi-panel design with a tree silhouette cut into each of the panels.  

Shady Oasis by the River 

Hostas and Shade Plants

5709 Sullivan Rd.

 

Kathy and Bill Ethridge describe their backyard garden as a shady paradise (oasis). Their large backyard gently slopes toward the river. Tall deciduous trees provide shade for many shade-loving plants, including hostas, hellebores, ferns, heucheras, and toad lilies. More than 250 hostas grace the area, some of them close to three feet tall.

 

A sunnier corner of the yard features a variety of colorful flowers, a butterfly garden, and a vegetable garden. Many of these plants, such as the butterfly weed, Joe Pye Weed, cardinal flower, and several varieties of milkweed, were selected to attract butterflies and other wildlife. It should come as no surprise, then, that their property is a Certified Wildlife Habitat, as well as a registered Monarch Waystation.

 

 

Living Work of Art 

Annuals

1311 Whitetail Ct.

 

 This garden began 20 years ago with the intent of giving it a natural Colorado look. Stand by the Koi pond and look up at the cascading waterfall that appears from among the trees, with the statues of the children playing alongside it, and you might agree that it feels like you are there.

 

Flagstone walkways lead to a circular patio sitting area that is surrounded by an assortment of colorful plants. Sit on a bench and listen to the sound of the waterfall and watch the ducks in the nearby lake.

 

So many vivid and contrasting colors of pottery and artwork, along with the annuals and perennials, will indulge your senses where they are arranged among the landscaping boulders and shrubs. Shade gardens exist on both sides of the house featuring hostas and English ivy.

 

 

Victorian Whimsy 

Plant Selection

7602 Foster St.

 

This garden began developing over 20 years ago and blends well with the charm of the Victorian-style home. Both the inviting stone patio with a water garden nearby and the enclosed sunroom on the house provide ideal locations for sipping morning coffee and enjoying the variety of surrounding plants.

 

A spacious backyard provides the setting for plenty of raised bed gardens to grow vegetables and blackberries. Near the back corner area stand peach trees with their ripening fruit.

 

Different mixes of plant combinations such as coneflowers and black-eyed susans, provide a nice blending of colors. The abundant selection of diverse plants surrounds the entire house. Flowering vines and shade trees also provide a luxuriant and cool feel during the summer months.

 

Treasures in a Small Space 

Perennials 

250 N. Terrace Dr.

 

 When they moved into their College Hill home 20 years ago, Paula and Travis Cunningham set about transforming their small backyard into a veritable English cottage garden. They describe their garden as organized chaos, typical of the abundant mix of plants found in a cottage garden.

 

The home itself became another garden surface, ideal for an overflowing window box of annuals that differ from year to year and trellises for flowering clematis vines. A curving garden pathway of old brick leads from a covered deck into the garden, making its way past potted plants of herbs and ornamental lilac trees, bird feeders, and statuary to a rustic swing set next to a beautiful koi fish pond bordered with natural stone and plants.

 

Growing Food, Growing People 

Youth Vegetable Gardening 

945 S. Wichita St.

 

 Thanks to the hard work of many staff and high school students, Legacy GardenWorks provides fresh, organically grown vegetables to over 30 families a week. This youth employment program hires 30-40 urban high school students to grow vegetable gardens in formerly vacant lots, while also teaching life skills that help the students find and keep future employment. Supported by Legacy Ministries, the program supplies the community with fresh produce, including spinach, arugula, kale, beets, carrots, mustard greens, eggplant, zucchini, and sweet potatoes.

 

The gardens include raised beds and an unheated greenhouse, called a high tunnel, to maximize production of cold-hardy vegetables. The reclaimed urban land has been nurtured over the years with applications of compost, organic and low-till farming methods, cover crops, and beneficial insect habitat.