(Submitted by University Women of BGSU)
Wood County residents looking for summer gardening inspiration have a once-only opportunity for an insider’s peek at what some of Bowling Green’s most talented private gardeners are doing in 2018.
This year’s Secret Garden Tour, slated for Saturday, June 23, draws inspiration from the garden meccas of Japan, Scotland, and Polynesia, along with the best of Midwest style gardening.
The annual event, sponsored by the University Women of Bowling Green State University, is open to the public. It features six memorable Bowling Green gardens, each on view from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 24 is the rain date.
The gardens, along with some of the unique features of each, are listed here:
– Alice Calderonello — 307 Haskins Road.
Enjoy the calm, relaxing atmosphere of shade plants, a water feature with waterfall, handmade wooden arbors, astilbe garden, and multi-level flower beds. Park on Wallace or in the nearby Wood County Hospital parking lot.
– Denise Robins — 521 Lorraine Ave.
Savor scenic front and back yard hosta plantings, garden ornaments, a peace pole, hand-painted bench and chairs used as planters, a variety of garden ornaments, sun and shade perennials. There are also pots filled with annuals and herbs. Park on the east side of the street.
– Karen Seeliger — 208 Syracuse Drive.
Sense this homeowner’s love of tropical plants through the lens of a 20-foot water feature, Bird of Paradise, Moon Flower, bouganville, hibiscus, Staghorn fern, lemon and lime trees. Visitors may park on the opposite side of the street.
– Royce L. Parker — 158 S. Maple St.
The obvious attractions of this exotic garden include a colorful array of flowers, an extensive water garden with koi fish, a Japanese Golden Chain Tree, hosta, ferns, and an intriguing garden statue of a head. Park on the street.
– Marie Rogers — 916 Lambert Drive.
It’s hard to know where to look first, with so many unique garden art items in Rogers’ yard, including a sundial from the Scottish Highlands, a metal bench, hand-carved wooden statue, and an artist-made granite table and stools. Park in the hospital parking lot. Look for the ornate gate, which will be open.
– Dinah Vincent — 1423 Turnberry Court.
This is a new garden, in just its second summer. Emphasis here is placed on low-maintenance perennials and annuals that attract pollinators. Parking is in the driveway or around the cul-de-sac.
Secret Garden tickets, at $10, include admission to all six homes.
Tickets are currently available at Grounds For Thought, 174 S. Main St., Bowling Green; during BG’s downtown Farmers Market on Wednesdays, June 13 and 20, from 4 to 7 p.m.; or by calling Phyllis Hartwell at 419-352-4248 or Karen Johnson at 419-352-8046. Tickets will also be sold on the day of the event at each of the tour homes.
All proceeds fund scholarships for nontraditional female university students, In many cases these women have young children and are already working one or two jobs while attempting to complete their bachelor’s degrees. The UW scholarship can make a huge difference in their success toward reaching that goal.
For more details about the tour and about the organization, visit UW’s website: www.universitywomenof
