Master Gardeners to host Garden Walk Sunday

Published:  Wednesday, August 5, 2009 (7 months, 2 weeks ago)
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The gardens at the Venedocia Memorial Park and Cemetery include a permanent flower garden constructed as a centerpiece with four outer gardens representing the seasons of the year. Several years later a rose garden was put into place using single and double knockout roses along with climbers and other roses.A Garden Walk featuring eight area gardens is scheduled from noon to 5:30 p.m. Sunday sponsored by the Van Wert County Master Gardeners.
Each garden is unique with many ideas to incorporate into browsers’ landscape designs.
The cost is $5 per adult. Tickets will be available at each of the eight gardens and you can start at any of the gardens.  Each garden stop is designated by a sunflower sign prominently placed in the homeowner’s yard. Refreshments will be served at a chosen stop on the walk. Plants, flowers, garden supplies and garden produce will be available for purchase at yet another garden stop.
The tour includes:
The home of Rob and Leslie Moser at 12064 Fife Road. The Moser’s have a garden that was inspired by a former Parade of Homes garden the previous owner’s of the home attended in Fort Wayne. They were attracted to the rugged feel of the layered landscaping combining with the low maintenance design. The Moser’s garden consists of daylilies, roses, hydrangea, purple fountain grass, blue, Serbian and Conica spruce trees, a paper birch and many Hetz midget shrubs.
At 4640 Road 95, Haviland, Roman and Kylee Baumle only started gardening seriously in 2005. Situated on an acre in the country, there are several gardens to see, with over 400 different perennials, roses, trees and shrubs, as well as a small vegetable plot. Kylee is the head gardener, but Romie is her right-hand man and they enjoy working together in creating their own personal garden paradise. The property is both a Certified Wildlife Habitat and a Certified Monarch Waystation.
The home of Rob and Madison Adams located at 215 S. Vine St. was purchased in 2004 with only some minor landscaping installed. The front of the house has more of a formal entrance with a symmetrical design. At the side of the house, there is a silver maple which is more than 100 years old and hostas, hydrangeas, Virginia sweetspire, barberry, bottlebrush, buckeye and many other specimens. Rob loves small space gardens as it creates a peaceful setting for the two of them to enjoy on these nice summer evenings. The Adams’ call it “LaSelva,” or The Jungle. A large corkscrew willow overhangs the in-ground fire pit to enclose the area.
Next at 402 S. Washington St. is the residence of Larry and Emily Riley. The Rileys own description of their gardens is “not very large, not real perfect, just cozy as a cup of tea and as comfortable as an old pair of boots.” Their garden is always changing from the first yellow jonquils to the bright red poppies then to the autumn’s rusty orange chrysanthemums. They love lots of color and variety and are always looking for something unusual to place or plant in their garden.
Another stop is the gardens of Carolyn Girod at 13675 Crow Road. The landscaping consists of ornamental pears, chokeberry bushes, knockout roses, weigela, Rose of Sharon, smoke trees, grasses, ferns and hydrangea with many perennials and annuals placed throughout. Behind the home, an English-style garden is highlighted with a flagstone path. The patio area has been strikingly faux painted in brick by Carolyn. An added attraction to Carolyn’s lawn and a “must see,” is a family tree house. It is fully equipped for overnight sleepovers and is enjoyed by family, friends, and most of all, Carolyn’s grandchildren.
The Venedocia Memorial Park at the Venedocia Cemetery is the next stop. In 1945, the wooded pasture field was given to a group of men who in 1946 dedicated three large granite stones with the names of area servicemen and women who fought and died for our country beginning with the War of 1812. Years later two additional stones were erected for those who served in later wars, conflicts and during peacetime. Then a permanent flower garden was constructed as a centerpiece with four outer gardens representing the seasons of the year. Several years later a rose garden was put into place using single and double knockout roses along with climbers and other roses. The community of Venedocia hopes everyone will enjoy the peacefulness of the park and respect the memory of those persons honored here.
At 19206 Venedocia Eastern Road, Ray and Mary Young have made it their home since 1998. There are flowering foundation trees and shrubs and they take turn in showing off their blooms starting in early spring with a weeping cherry and ending with the Rose of Sharon. The front yard boasts a flag pole surrounded by presidential red cannas with a white geranium border. There are colorful perennials and annuals to enjoy. Walking into the backyard you see a small water garden complete with water falls and encircled with garden phlox and lilies. Then at the back of the property there is a 1/3-acre pond and nearby is an arbor with a swing so one can just sit, swing and enjoy.
Dave and Janet Myers home and gardens are located at 15166 State Road 709. The Myers moved to this location in 2003 as their former home was destroyed by a tornado in 2002. They have added numerous plants and have renovated the gardens. Their landscaping features shrubs and trees all intermingled with rocks. The Myers has planted ten new trees to enhance their landscape. In the front yard there are two flower beds and recently added a flower bed that is highlighted with a trellis that Dave constructed.  Janet  loves tulips and peonies for spring flowers, then flowering perennials during the summer.
The proceeds of the Garden Walk will be used by the Master Gardeners to maintain their two garden projects: Garden for the Senses and Children’s Garden. Stop in downtown Van Wert and view the Garden for the Senses that includes a winding pathway bordered by flowers, trees and shrubs ending with a charming pergola. Then drive to Smiley Park (across from the airport) and see the Children’s Garden with an inviting gazebo and surrounded by the many theme gardens all attractively landscaped.
The proceeds from the Garden Walk will also be useful in supporting the Master Gardeners with ongoing educational projects.
For further information about the Garden Walk or the Master Gardener program, contact the OSU Extension, Van Wert County office on the fairgrounds or call 419-238-1214.