I wish you could see this flowery lady on the left in person. She is the belle of the ball, the queen of the prom , the next top model; a real live gal, in an earthy sort of way. Actually, you CAN see her if you live in the Chicagoland area and come to the 2013 Elmhurst Garden Walk and Faire on Sunday.
The Garden Walk committee is busy with last minute preparations, and the homeowners are even busier. We had a delicious rain on Monday, with a bit of lightening – just the thing to to keep the blooms going and give the soil a good soaking. but, if you are opening up your garden to hundreds of visitors, the few days before are filled with activity.
The Elmhurst Garden Club presents An Afternoon in the Garden each July. This is our 18th year. I must say, the selection committee did an outstanding job with this year’s choice of gardens. All seven, unique in their own way, make for a pleasant day of inspiration. Tickets are still available at a reduced price of $15 until Saturday. All the proceeds go to local endeavors and for scholarships to worthy applicants. The Elmhurst Garden Club has awarded more than $185,000.00 in proceeds throughout the years,which is pretty impressive for what I can a gardening band of 100 or so women with dirt on their hands. Proceed benefit not only scholars, but school gardens, summer camp attendees, and the rebuilding of public gardens damaged after Hurricane Katrina, to name but a few. Information on the walk can be found here.
If you are in the area, please consider purchasing a ticket and visiting the gardens, and the fair in Wilder Park as well.
If not, won’t you consider a local garden walk in your area? They will inspire and refresh you, and they always benefit some good causes.
Okay, I’ll stop talking and show you a few photos.
Lifeonthecutoff's Blog 
Drooling. Drooling. Drooling.
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They are amazing gardens, Andra. Wish you could see them.
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What a gorgeous garden, Penny. The best kind: with a surprise round every corner.
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They are glorious, Kate! Photos are actually from 4 or 5 of them – and, yes, a surprise round every corner. No follies, though.
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What gracious gardens you are sharing with us Penny. I love the sculptures. This time the giraffe really took my fancy. This is so worthwhile, bringing people to gardens, to be soothed and inspired.
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This year, there is a great deal of art work in the gardens, with a lot of sculptures. Isn’t he precious? I almost missed him. I’m sure visitors will stop and smile, especially since a baby giraffe was just born at nearby Brookfield Zoo.
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What wonderful work you ladies do! It is so nice to hear how you have been such benefactors for your community. The gardens are just lovely and I want to pet the little giraffe peeking out from among the leaves. He looks so content with his personal garden paradise.
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Thank you, Janet. Everyone does their part and, of course, it doesn’t happen without homeowners agreeing to have 600 or so people come traipsing into their gardens. With all the rains, this year’s gardens are lush, though they’ve had to deal with an abundance of weeding as well. I’m so excited about this year’s selection. Isn’t he cute? He was already there, but, folks will appreciate him – and a baby giraffe was just born at Brookfield Zoo!
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Don’t you just know I would be there if I could! 🙂 I love the little bits of whimsy sitting in the garden to surprise the guests! I do hope the weather holds to give a delightful day. Be sure to give us a little update following the weekend’s event. i hope it is a tremendous success. Your team works so hard. It is really beautiful, Penny.
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I know you would, Debra. This is just a small taste of the whimsy this year. One of the gardens has a French theme running through it. The walk is on the 14th, which happens to be Bastille Day! I’m curious as to what might happen. I’ll try to do some updates pictures of the day of the walk.
Thank you. They are a great bunch of women that I’m proud to be associated with.
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A wonderful cause and it looks like being a marvellous fay for all the lucky participants. it’s a shame I’m an ocean away or I’d be there too, Penny. 🙂
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If it weren’t for that ol’ ocean, I would give you a ticket, Perpetua, for I am certain you would enjoy these gardens. Any one who would tote her pelagoriums back and forth each summer is a garden lover if there ever was one.
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I missed the garden walks here in Oregon — they are in June. I used to love them. Your garden lady is beautiful.
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Isn’t she, Sallie? I wish she were my own. I love to see how artistic talent shows up in gardens. We are hoping for good weather for Sunday’s walk, and lots of visitors.
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If ever you find yourself in the South Shropshire Hills at the end of June you must come to garden walks all around here. Many villagers open their gardens for charity on different weekends of June and July and it’s a wonderful thing. All gardeners benefit too, because without the pressure from visitors our gardens wouldn’t be half as gorgeous.
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I promise you, Friko, that should I ever be in your neck of woods come late June, I will most definitely come to the garden walks in your South Shropshire Hills – especially to your garden. Your photos have enchanted me of your garden, which I know was just recently on the walk. You are right. It does benefit gardeners too. All that work leading up to these walks, and then, the rest of the summer to enjoy your labors.
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