Ever since reading Frances Hodgson Burnett’s “A Secret Garden” as a child, I have been intrigued by garden doors, imagining myself as Mary Lennox, wondering what is beyond a locked door.
So it was upon entering the Rotary Gardens in Janesville, Wisconsin that my imagination grew like Jack’s beanstalk and I squealed in girlish glee “oh, this is wonderful“. There I was, hopping around, opening and closing garden doors, peering into windows and otherwise embarrassing Tom who, after all these years, is used to my childish ways about these bookish gardening “things”.
There were doors opening on doors as groomsmen in gray – and senior citizens in greige -averted their eyes to the gleeful granny and her indulgent companion.
Isn’t it grand to discover something creative and open your imagination for a bit? Maybe it was because we had just spent several days with our darling grandchildren who love to pretend that images of Alice in Wonderland and Dorothy and Toto following a yellow brick road came to mind.
Well, dear reader, when one door closes another opens, and so it did as something else caught my eye.
Can you see it? Click on the photo for a better look.
Scattered about the gardens were many of these boxes. They reminded me of the Little Free Libraries and were painted in all manner of whimsy and creativity.
A volunteer in the gardens told us that the boxes were made by a group of men. They were sold at a nominal cost to be painted and appointed however the artist saw fit. They will be raffled off (or was it auctioned?) and I, of course, imagine them filled with gardening books and secret doors.
What would you fill them with?
Penny, I would be exactly the same, opening doors and squealing with delight. There is an eternal child inside you I think, and the grandchildren are just an excuse to let her out. I’ve been reading The Secret Garden (shortened version) to Mira recently, so am right with you when it comes to garden doors.
LikeLike
You are “on to me”, Juliet, for there is indeed an inner child in me. 🙂 What a great idea to start Mira out with the shortened version. You’ve given me an idea. I wish you could see this garden, Juliet. It is full of wondrous growth that lets the imagination not only enjoy nature, but grow.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a find, Penny! The color and whimsy of the doors definitely brings to mind the fantasy of The Secret Garden. And the little boxes also remind me of the Little Free Libraries. A friend and i were talking about the library boxes and saying that neither of us has actually ever come upon one! I think the idea is great. I’m afraid, though, that if one of these sprouted up near where I live, I don’t have much hope it would remain intact…or “remain” at all! They are so cleverly done. Another inviting garden, Penny! You know where to find them. 🙂
LikeLike
The Rotary Gardens have such innovative and imaginative themes each year, Debra. You and your granddaughters would enjoy this particular garden I am sure. One of these days you are going to spot one. Just remember to keep your eyes on the road. There are several towns around us that have quite a few and we noticed while eating at our favorite pizza place in La Grange that there was one just outside the door. It seems the business association bought the boxes and they will be auctioned off, much like the Rotary Gardens you see here. So far, the ones I’m seeing both in the business district and on front parkways are doing okay.
LikeLike
How fun! It’s probably true that being with children for the week made you enjoy this whimsey even more than you normally would have! I say, just put a box in the garden, leave it empty and keep people guessing, or fill it with small garden tools and gardening gloves!
LikeLike
Well, it doesn’t take much to awake my inner child, but, our little ones sure do awaken them with zeal! If you and Declan are ever looking for a day trip, Janesville is less than two hours away . . .
What a great idea, Janet! I love the idea of using it for gardening tools and such. I just mentioned it to Tom and I could see the wheels turning in his creative head.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a fun discovery, Penny! You always find the most wonderful places! I just love garden doors, too. I always spot beautiful garden doors on Pinterest… and dream! The little boxes are charming. It would be perfect to fill one with small garden tools, gardening gloves, and an empty vase to fill with each walk through my garden. Hope I can visit the Janesville garden one day, too! ♡
LikeLike
It was really a lot of fun to see this display, Dawn. I’ve spotted quite a few of the library boxes in town surrounding yours, but, haven’t yet heard of one there. You are the second one to mention one of these in a garden and I love the idea. Our back garden is so big, it would make a nice spot to store all the little things I have a tendency to leave out. 🙂
I hope you can visit these gardens, Dawn. It is a very nice day trip; about two hours up, several more walking the grounds, even bringing a lunch to eat on their patio or a restaurant in town. These photos just show the whimsy part. Much more to see.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My ‘Penny’s Perfect Places’ list continues to grow… and I LOVE it!! The prairie near Morris, the Janesville garden, and of course, the Morton. So glad we’re friends! ♡
LikeLike
Me, too! 🙂 Thanks, Dawn.
LikeLike
I love The Secret Garden!!! 😀 So I also would have squealed. Love the fact that when a door was closed an open window was also seen. So many delightful things to see. And is that a robin I spy on one of the boxes? I see Dorothy and the ruby slippers. Thank you for these lovely photos!
LikeLike
Good eye, L. Marie. Click onto the photo. There are two cardinals in mosaic. That box was very artistic. Many of them had painting and objects inside. Yes, that is Dorothy and her slippers. I didn’t want to inundate you all with even more pictures, but, the Cowardly Lion is on the other side and the wicked witch is inside.
You are very welcome.
LikeLiked by 1 person
MTM would NEVER allow one of those boxes near his modernist minimalist self. Ha. I would use them as bathroom cabinets. I love to take hidden paths in gardens and see where I come out.
LikeLike
I would think not, Andra – but, he could do a minimalist box. 🙂
Wouldn’t that be a fun use? Love it. I’m actually thinking I could use one here, way out in the back where I lose things. I really wish you could have seen the garden in bloom.
I love hidden paths as well – though not ones as long as you have taken.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You know, when Kim and I dared to paint our exterior doors “honeydew” last year, we thought we were waaay ahead of some trend. Well, maybe here in tiny LaGrange we might be, but we are seeing them everywhere in decorating magazines, on HGTV, and now here in this wonderful garden! Whimsy isn’t dead at all, is it? And then there’s the sweet little boxes; one just cannot avoid smiling about them and they really don’t need a “purpose” at all. 🙂
As always, thanks for sharing!
LikeLike
Three cheers for whimsey! and for you and Kim and your honeydew door.
No, Karen, whimsey is not dead. Along with the doors were paneless windows, which you might be able to see in one of the photos. They were really cute and I am imagining one as a trellis.
I have a collection of photos of painted doors. They fascinate me. We had a very red door in our old house (this one is orangey from the original owners and needs a paint job). Everyone knew our red door, but, there are yellow ones around here now and blue ones – but, no honeydew.
You are welcome.
LikeLike
This was one of your very best side trips! The door concept is one that will never grow old. The Wizard of Oz box fascinates me as I collect Wizard memorabilia. I don’t know what I would put in a box but know I would have to keep it inside. Well maybe I would use it for old love letters, sea shells, some of my Harmony Kingdom figurines, or cat toys. Endless possibilities! Such fun!
LikeLike
It was too much fun to not share it, Marilyn.
The wicked witch is inside the box, as well as the yellow brick road and the Cowardly Lion is on the other side. You remind me by your comments that I want to return to Oz Park in Chicago. Whenever I do, I will be sure to take pictures. It is a memorial to Frank Baum, who wrote the Wizard of Oz here.
I think you need a box for all or some or one of your treasures and I want one, though I want it for outside in the garden. Right you are, my friend: endless possibilities. 🙂
LikeLike
I see the cardinals! How lovely!
LikeLike
They are, aren’t they? You really should try to get to these gardens, L. Marie.
This year, there is also a Jeffersonian garden.
LikeLike
Love the doors! I’d fill the box with my gardening equipment. 🙂
LikeLike
Me too. Then I would know where to find all the things I leave lying around. 🙂
Thank you so much for stopping by today and leaving such nice comments on my posts. Your blog looks quite interesting and creative. I’ll pop by for a closer look.
LikeLike
How fun! Seems like a place to get lost in.
LikeLike
Want to go? I’ll help you get lost, Jennifer. 🙂
LikeLike