John Zvirovski, Jamestown Sun Garden Editor
John M. Steiner / The Jamestown Sun
It feels like mid-summer has arrived and I often feel like the season has only just begun. I wonder where the time goes or if all I have been doing is weeding, watering and pulling up dead flowers. I have found that the best weather always makes the season go by far too quickly and I am trying to find the time to sit back and enjoy every moment before it is all over. Even with a cooler start to the year, things are looking pretty good but we could do with some good summer heat to perk up the gardens.
July is always a fun month as the garden begins to fill with consistent color, as this is the time when all the annuals begin to bloom until the fall frosts arrive. It is often warm, but that is the kind of weather I thrive in, so I take in as much of it as I can, knowing it will be short-lived. July is also the month for garden tours, both local and regional. This is everyone’s chance to get a glimpse into some backyards and witness some very creative design work.
I personally love going on garden tours because I find it a great source of new ideas, a chance to see new and different design elements, and talk to other gardeners along the way. When we stay in our own gardens day in and day out, our perspective on things becomes a bit tunnel-like. Getting out and seeing what other people are doing seems to open the door to creativity again, allowing you to discover new and unique things.
There is always a lot to see on these tours. Not only can you take a friend and enjoy a nice visit along the way, but you can also let your thoughts run free.
The main thing you will see is an abundance of plants. This is always a thrill as there are often plants that many people have never seen before and find exotic or interesting. Some may be non-hardy tropicals while others are new hardy perennials to our area that are not yet common. Annuals are always a thrill as they produce that intense and abundant color for the rest of the season. There can also be some very unique specimens in this genre. It was on one of these garden tours that I discovered the annual penstemon called Red Phoenix and have had it in my garden every year since.
Not only are there great perennials and annuals on the tour, but also many interesting trees and shrubs. Sometimes they are common species. Often there is one in the group that really stands out. It is for these specific reasons that I enjoy the tours so much!
Many gardens have unique sculptures and garden art. Some are whimsical, some are picturesque or whimsical, and some are attention-grabbing. Some gardens have bird features such as baths, feeders, and houses of various types, and others have various types of water features. All of these accent pieces can really add a sense of tranquility to the garden space for a bit of evening relaxation.
Patios and terraces often go hand in hand with these gardens. Some are simple; others are very elaborate and can include extraordinary outdoor kitchen spaces. Some have pergolas and others have tables and large umbrellas with comfortable seating. Many of them can give you great ideas for your own space when that next project requires a little creativity.
This year, there are four gardens on the AAUW Jamestown Garden Tour. Each of these four gardens will be very different from the others, giving you a wide range of things to think about. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 on the day of the tour, and can be purchased at each of the houses you visit first. Advance tickets can be purchased through the AAUW Used Bookstore, The Arts Center, Country Gardens Floral, Lloyds Motors, or any AAUW member. Proceeds from the tour will benefit the AAUW Educational Foundation and the Endowment Fund at the University of Jamestown. The foundation provides grants and funding for projects that promote equality for girls and women.
This year’s tour locations are Dave and Wanda Bohl at 1310 41st St. NW, Arlie and Lynette Lind at 424 7th St. SW, Jack and Yvonne McGregor at 8055 36th St. SE (north side of the freeway), and Roger and Margaret “Peggy” Koenig at 317 17th Ave. NE. The tour date is Wednesday, July 17th from 4:00-8:00 PM. It’s going to be a great day for a tour and I would love to see all of you there to support this great cause while touring the beautiful gardens for an enjoyable evening out. Be sure to take lots of pictures and bring a notebook to jot down the ideas that interest you the most.
I will also be hosting my annual garden tour called “An Evening in the Garden” open to the public on Monday, July 22nd from 4-8pm at 1601 7th Ave. SE. This is a free event with an option for a freewill offering with refreshments to hang out and mingle with other like-minded gardeners. Bring a friend because as I always say, the more, the merrier! Funds raised at this event will be donated to the Northern Plains Botanic Gardens in Fargo to assist with their current expansion.
