Garden Walk Season

Believe it or not, there are times when Carl and I escape from our own garden nightmare here and go see what other people have growing on.  We have belonged to a local hosta society for over a dozen years and have been privileged to be invited into so many of the gorgeous gardens of our membership and also on bus tours.    But before we joined the hosta society, we always went on the big garden walk held every year in nearby Green Bay.  Seeing the gardens on those walks always inspired us to go home and try to make something out of our sand pile here.

This post is a little late, but our garden walk season kicked off back in mid-June when we were cordially invited to join a wonderful, informal garden group on their tour of some of the most beautiful gardens around.  We drove a mere hour south to tour Betty and Richard's beautiful garden. 

Everything in their garden was gorgeous, not a weed in sight and perfectly manicured.  I loved the color of trim on the buildings and the picket fences. 

This birdhouse was a showstopper.

Isn't that adorable?  And beautiful!

Another touch of whimsy.

So many plants I have yet to try growing.

Loved this bench (and in the background, there I am, yakking away.)  I wasn't taking the pictures at this garden, Joel was, which is probably a good thing, since I would have filled up the camera right away. 

Betty has the most amazing collection of peonies.

After touring Betty & Richard's garden we were within walking distance of:

Betty & Richard devote a lot of time to this garden, too.

We loved the entrance gate.

I really wish there could be a 'Smell-o-Vision' feature on this post, oh, the fragrant aroma of all these peonies was just heavenly.  I have never seen so many peonies in one place EVER. 

This windmill just about stole my heart...loved the stonework and the fact it has been restored.

I looked at Carl and he looked at me, "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"  We're both of Dutch heritage and the Dutch are famous for their windmills, and we have rocks and..................NO.....we interrupt this insane thought pattern, we don't need more work to do.  (Besides, we already have two stone projects in need of completion).  But it's fun to dream.

Just like peony season, all too soon it was time to bid these gorgeous gardens goodbye.

And last, but not by any means least, the last stop of the evening was to our friends, Larry & Sarah at Oak Lawn Gardens.  We met Larry through a mutual gardening friend years ago and when he invited us to see their absolutely stunning, splendid, amazing....ok, there are no words to describe the paradise they have created on their acreage, we were astounded.

I don't have pictures to show you the glory of their garden that night as the batteries on the camera went kaput, but I am urging you to become a follower of his excellent blog:

Conrad Art Glass and Gardens

Most of you are probably already followers of Larry & Sarah's truly botanical Masterpiece, but if you aren't, you are in for a wonderful treat.  His photography is beyond compare and the scenery he is photographing is all a tribute and testimony to their unceasing care and devotion to the gardens at Oak Lawn.  I have learned so much from them and have enjoyed each and every visit to the gardens.  Every season at Oak Lawn brings another vista of beauty, it is truly a four season garden.  (And don't get me started on Larry's stained glass creations, he is a true artist!)

This weekend we will be off and running to the Green Bay Garden Walk again.  I can't wait to see what is in store this year.

I'll be sure to share the lovelies with all of you, too, it might be later than sooner, but I promise!

I'm linking this post to Roz at la bella vita: Fresh Food Friday and Seasonal Saturday