Vernon Garden Club presents "Garden Reflections," a tour of 8 varied local gardens-in full summer bloom-on Saturday, July 9, 2011, 10 am to 4 pm, rain or shine.....save the date!!

Tour 8 lovely home gardens in the Vernon area in full summer bloom; lots of ideas from successful gardeners dealing with the same local issues as you have. Get great ideas for additions, or a complete redesign for your own garden!

There are a variety of gardening styles and adaptations included; tour gardens in full sun, stone tiered and a variety of shapes, shade gardens and gardens overlooking lovely vistas. There will be something for all gardening enthusiasts!

At Tolland Agriculture Center, there will be tickets available on the day of the tour, as well as free soil analysis, Master Gardeners to answer your questions, and a plant sale.

Tickets are available in advance for $15, after June 15, at Garden Barn, Ellington Agway, Michelle's Florals, Woodland Gardens, and Garden Sales in Manchester.

Tickets are also available on the day of the tour at TAC, $20.

For more information, call 860-872-3511, or email your questions to: vernongardenclub@comcast.net

Proceeds from the sale help us continue to maintain our public gardens and offer scholarships to local residents.

Garden Descriptions

1. "The B-K Resort" Owners are beginning their fourth year of gardening here, with tiered gardens and hand-built stone planting areas. The gardens feature Oakes Daylilies, mophead and lacecap hydrangeas, a panicula hydrangea, butterfly bushes, knockout roses, many varieties of grasses, and a creeping wisteria.

2. "Sweet Seclusions" A nostalgic move into a grandparent/gardener's home gave these owners a great start. Hard work, and tiral and error, created a picket fence backdrop for plantings--as well as a paver patio and water feature all blooming with lovely perennials.

3. "Five Gardens, so far" An evolving garden with a Mediterranean influence. Removal of overgrown trees and shrubs 10 years ago fostered a winding brick walkway and front gardens. A dry laid stone wall turns into a wall garden. Various "hardscapes," and a sentimental bench compliment the plantings throughout.

4. "A Backyard Park" A soothing garden environment with an eclectic design that highlights views of trees, flowers and plantings in a parklike setting. A special feature of this garden is a magnificent hand carved Alaskan totem pole.

5. "Gardening Comes from the Heart" This creative garden started with a heartshaped flower bed and has grown into a vibrant and colorful garden that includes raised flower beds, shade gardens, and perennial displays complete with birdbaths, waterfall, and fountains to encourage native songbirds.

6. "Tranquility" An experienced gardener who started 20 years ago with hostas because of her shady yard, now finds tranquility in her own private botanical garden of perennials for sun and shade.

7. "Eyes Wide Open" These gardeners' goal was to design a yard for fun and entertainment with lots of color and easy maintenance. Their informal design started as an outline to the property. They've added a "potted" vegetable garden, and many different perennial gardens, including a trellised "thornless" rose vine! They are especially proud of the many birds and butterflies that are attracted to their lovely gardens.

8. "Garden Rooms by the Lake" This 1/2 acre of paradise starts with a front yard organic vegetable and herb garden surrounded by a stonewall and boxwoods. Other features include a garden dining room, complete with chandelier, a sunny Caribbean retreat, and an alee of mature shade trees. The property is also a certified wildlife preserve.

9. "T.A.C." Please be sure to visit the Tolland Agricultural Center on Route 30, where you can enjoy a refreshing glass of lemonade as your soil sample gets tested; or, you can purchase perennials at our plant sale, speak to Master Gardeners, learn more about the Extension Service or Master Gardener Program, and view a display of herbs.Having trouble choosing between mophead and lacecap hydrangeas? Would you like to see options for backyard park, stonewall, dining room, potted vegetable and songbird gardens? You need go no farther than the “Garden Reflections” tour of eight private gardens in the Vernon area this Saturday, July 9, rain or shine.

Vernon Garden Club site.

By HWO Staff

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