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Ferdinand Garden Tour Sponsored by the Ferdinand Merchants Sunday, June 1, 2008 12 to 4 p.m. Tour six of Ferdinand’s finest gardens
Ferdinand Garden Tour Locations 1.) Melissa and Nick Miller – 635 Virginia Street Window boxes, potted annuals, maiden grass, Service Berry, choke berries, Coral Bells, Christmas Ferns, oak leaf hydrangea, Fothergilla shrubs, porch columns enwrapped with clematis… this is undoubtedly the home of a gardener. Melissa loves to garden! A Purdue landscape horticulture and design major, she owned a landscaping business for four years until baby Madelyn arrived. But while her focus changed her enthusiasm for art is as strong as ever. With the help of husband, Nick, the two have created their own special place. The back porch leads to a patio of concrete pavers and an overhanging Japanese pergola. Free-flowing landscaping edged with a perennial border leads to a weathered garden shed, aged by nature’s artistic brush. Nick cut the timber himself before building the poplar board and batten shed. It takes two to create a garden this lovely!
2.) Kathy and Don Foerster – 2410 Sunward Drive Hostas and ivy peek out from under large pin oaks gracing the front yard, providing a sense of seclusion from the outside world. Privacy fencing serves as a backdrop for Rose-of-Sharon, a butterfly house and artistically arranged trees. A brick walkway leads past a crab apple and dogwood tree nestled in Vinca to the garden patio with its birdbath focal point. The Ginko and thirty-plus trees offer a haven for birds and shade-loving plants and an escape for humans. The large wooden back porch almost calls out to “sit a spell,” either on Kathy’s great-uncle’s red wicker loveseat with homespun pillows, the yellow accent rockers or the “Cracker Barrel” wood rockers. Don’t miss the fountain spray, garden shed or playhouse and follow the meandering dry creek bed to the stone-accented water garden. This serene garden simply calms the soul.
3.) Rhecia and Steve Brown – 1636 E. Holiday Lake Road Ivy climbing over brick retaining walls and towering pin oak trees set the stage for your visit to this peaceful park-like setting where soothing shad and pristine beauty captivates and calms. Never-ending fields of green surround the yard and the age-old oaks while a brick sidewalk leads to the side and back yards. Find semi-circular beds filled with impatiens in hues of lavender, white, and coral. Stop at the patio, graced with containers of geraniums, spikes and asparagus fern. The Browns’ “Yankee Workshop/Photography Studio” borders a courtyard encircling a large maple at its center. It’s easy to see how this enchanting garden provides many beautiful backdrops for a photographer’s eye.
4.) Amy and Tony Rickelman – 1444 E. 815 South No matter which entrance is used to access this lovely garden, visitors will appreciate Tony’s creative uses for nature’s bounty and recycled old pieces, century old foundation stones and heritage perennials. The story and a half Cape Cod house overlooks fields of wheat and the monastery to the southeast. The circular drive is partially edged by split rail fencing while Bradford Pears parallel the front boundary. So many special touches adorn the water garden and throughout: A handmade armillary, custom designed trellises, an old well cover with weather vane center, a creative fire pit floored with 1500 old farmhouse bricks, a turtle pond complete with Max and Jake’s frogs and tadpoles, a Patio Peach tree, a stone bench and trough – even the lovely birdbath adds grace to this delightful garden.
5.) Sandy and Dr. Mike Warren – 9555 S. 475 East One immediately understands why the Warrens chose this stately 102-year-old abode, situated in the gently rolling hills of their farm, as the perfect place to settle. In keeping with the age of their property, the patio bricks were salvaged from an old road in Chicago. Walled with foundation and stone, the focal point is a large patio fireplace and built-in-grill. A 16 foot reproduction “courting bench” was crafted of yellow pine in South Carolina. Heritage plantings of columbine, Lily of the Valley, peonies, climbing and shrub roses, lamb’s ear, hosta, bridal veil, and wisteria add to the serene ambience. The original summer kitchen stands not far from a koi-filled pond complete with a small cascading waterfall. Container gardens bursting with annuals add splashes of color. Be sure to take in the spectacular view from under the arbor. The Warrens are always adding to their garden, expanding their vision and creating a living work of art in the magical “painting come to life.”
6.) Ferdinand Coummunity Center – 1710 Community Drive A striking 15 foot tall by 12 foot wide sculpture crafted form surgical stainless steel reaches toward the sky – its brushed surface reflecting sunlight and nature’s colorful palette. Artist and Ferdinand native, Bernard Hagedorn, was commissioned to create this work of art unique to the community, complete with the monastery and church perched on sculpted steel roads. Wander the beautifully manicured community center grounds and enjoy the variety of trees and native plants growing there and at the adjacent 18th Street Park. Stop by the Community Center to pick up information on adopting a public space in Ferdinand.
Ferdinand Merchants, a division of the Ferdinand Chamber of Commerce, sponsors this annual Garden Tour. Proceeds benefit Main Street Beautification. |
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