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Monday, July 20, 2009

Canton Garden Walk

You're probably expecting my Colorado trip report, and fair enough. But I'd already sized and downloaded photos of the garden walk before leaving for CO so we're going to catch up.

On June 27, Carole, Amy and I attended the Canton Garden Walk, a tour of five home gardens. The nice people of the Canton Garden Club sent me a free ticket based on my speaking to their club on winter sowing in February. I loved the gardens and the many whimsical garden ornaments.

Little gnome, big chair.

Never needs watering.

Dear sea holly, I love you. Why won't you grow for me? Signed, Frustrated Admirer

I loved this huge patch of prickly pear cactus.

Noogie!

Check it, the foliage matches the house colors. Awesome!

One of the things I discovered when researching gardens of the mid to late 1800s (for a fountain garden project at a historic farm house) was that they didn't actually fill urns with flowers, but I like this combo anyway.

I loved this old farm equipment. There were several pieces on this huge property.

A great idea for my tree stump.

Adore this birdhouse!

I'm now on the lookout for old bird cages...

This wonderful shade garden was very calm and peaceful, subdued and serene...

...and right across a narrow strip of lawn from this colorful and vibrant sunny garden. Really amazing contrast, and so close to one another.

Was very amused by this popcorn plant (Senna didymobotrya, zones 10-11, so annual or houseplant for most of us—thanks for asking, Lisa!), whose flowers I found oddly attractive and whose leaves, when rubbed, smell exactly like buttered popcorn! No, really. They do.

It was a fun day!
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26 comments:

  1. NaturegirlJuly 19, 2009 at 3:10 PM

    What wonderful inspiration and creativity in these photos! Love the umberella!! Prickly Pear can grow in our zone!!!! Look at all those blossoms...just like Spring in Arizona!!
    WOW!! what a beautiful setting for renewal of wedding vows in your last post!! I wondered where you were! Welcome back! hugs

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  2. RoseJuly 19, 2009 at 3:16 PM

    Don't you just love garden walks?! So many clever ideas here--I could certainly pull out some rusty farm machinery here:) And I like that idea for a tree stump planting as well. The little umbrella in the first photo is so cute. I used to come home after events like these with serious garden envy, but now I think a little more positively and look for ideas that I can copy myself, especially since I'm not very creative:) So glad you shared all these with us, Monica.

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  3. Lisa at GreenbowJuly 19, 2009 at 3:32 PM

    I am glad not to miss these photos of the garden walk Monica. It looks like places were packed full of ideas. I like the bird cages too. I have two of them in my garden. Now as to the popcorn plant. Are you sure you weren't just hungry when you got to this plant?? tee hee.. It does sound interesting. I have never heard of it before. Is it an annual?

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  4. garden girlJuly 19, 2009 at 4:02 PM

    So many cool and inspiring ideas from the garden walk!

    I was already kicking myself for not picking up a prickly pear at Gethsamane last weekend, and now I'm kicking myself even more. Guess I'll have to make another trip!

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  5. AnonymousJuly 19, 2009 at 4:30 PM

    What an inspiring garden walk! I love all the clever ideas that were incorporated into the beds. :) That popcorn plant would make me hungry everytime I smelled it, lol.

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  6. Lucy CorranderJuly 19, 2009 at 6:37 PM

    What a delightful umbrella.

    Someone was trying to explain sea-holly to me a few weeks ago - now I understand.

    Lucy

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  7. Aunt Debbi/kurts momJuly 19, 2009 at 7:32 PM

    Well I just came away from this post with a bunch of new gardening ideas. Thanks.

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  8. SabineJuly 19, 2009 at 8:56 PM

    Looks like a lot of fun those garden walks and you can come away with new ideas and you see plants you just have to have.

    Sabine

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  9. UnknownJuly 19, 2009 at 9:20 PM

    Wow Monica, what a great trip. I adore that garden. The color combo choices by the house are so nice too.

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  10. tinaJuly 19, 2009 at 11:38 PM

    A buttered popcorn plant? My idea of a great diet! The whimsy is most wonderful. Especially the bowling balls and metal flower. I've seen the birdcage trick before. I think it a great idea. You should have no trouble finding old cages.

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  11. Roses and LilacsJuly 20, 2009 at 9:30 AM

    Hi Monica, a lot of cute ideas. That old Victorian house is beautiful. Had one in my area last weekend but I missed it.
    Marnie

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  12. RandyJuly 20, 2009 at 11:39 AM

    They didn't fill the urn with plants? Wow, I always thought that was what they were for.--Randy

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  13. CherylJuly 20, 2009 at 2:29 PM

    Hi Monica....I could have stayed there a bit longer....what a great space...

    I to love sea hollies, and they will not grow for me either. I am going to try again next year.....I am not going to give up....I want that plant in my garden.......

    There are lots of antique bird cages for sale in our local garden shop......I like that look.....I shall have to think on that one.

    I love the old tree stump with the plants growing in it....what a fun idea......

    Great post.....

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  14. AnnaJuly 20, 2009 at 5:13 PM

    We always feel most envious when we see photos of American houses complete with verandas - they are most unusual here. I do like the umbrella bird bath. The walk must have been an enjoyable experience.

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  15. UnknownJuly 20, 2009 at 7:10 PM

    what great ideas tucked into those gardens.

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  16. GailJuly 20, 2009 at 9:10 PM

    Hi there Monica! It's way past garden walks and tours time here so I am very glad to accompany you on yours! I love visiting real gardens and almost always get good ideas on plant combinations and even new plants. I have a chocolate cosmos that does smell of chocolate and now you tell us about a buttered popcorn scented plant! Yummy! gail

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  17. sweetbayJuly 21, 2009 at 9:43 AM

    Great pictures! Thank you so much for the tour!

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  18. joeyJuly 21, 2009 at 10:25 AM

    My idea of a fun day, Monica ... lots of the unusual on Canton's garden walk!

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  19. Phillip OliverJuly 21, 2009 at 11:56 AM

    Some great ideas here. I just did a story on a garden where they used a lot of old farm equipment. It makes really interesting garden art.

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  20. Chicago GardenJuly 21, 2009 at 12:41 PM

    Buttered popcorn? That's awesome. I like the metal daffodil.

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  21. Phoenix C.July 21, 2009 at 9:53 PM

    I absolutely adore the umbrella ornament!

    Those are some wonderful gardens!

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  22. BekJuly 23, 2009 at 6:56 AM

    Ich freu mich immer, schoene Beispiele von Schattengaerten zu sehen. Ich habe soviel Platz noch im Schattenbereich und moechte unbedingt mehr pflanzen.
    Freu mich schon auf deinen CO Berichte. Auch ich habe einiges aufzuholen.
    LG, Bek

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  23. LayaneeJuly 23, 2009 at 4:10 PM

    Birdcages recycled is not a bad idea...now I will have to be on the lookout although I would really like a pair of canaries (sp.).

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  24. Rambling WoodsJuly 24, 2009 at 2:31 AM

    What beautiful plants and flowers and sunshine...!!!!!!

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  25. Esther MontgomeryJuly 24, 2009 at 7:59 AM

    I hope the mention on Esther's Boring Garden Blog is ok. (July 24th 2009). If not, I'll change it.

    Esther

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  26. Shady GardenerJuly 27, 2009 at 9:17 PM

    Great photos. You must have had a wonderful time!! :-)

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