By Lindy Buren
Charlotte Vierhout is as delightful as her flower beds. Not only does she have plants and trees and shrubs but garden art among the many areas of the property…front, back, and all four sides of the house.
Charlotte says gardening is hard work but rewarding in many ways. There is a history of the plants and how she acquired some antique garden art and landscaping.
From the welcoming front porch to the back hedge which protects the plants from snow and offers insulation, there are flowers that thrive in every season. Charlotte has a creative eye that is evident in the way she has placed her specimens: an antique lawn mower among the rocks, a wheelbarrow and carts of flowers, a planter tucked beneath a shady Arbor that Bill constructed, a large owl holding court over the Swan and creatures in the back and a Holstein cow family from the farm. Particularly interesting to me was the trellis with antique blue glass balls from lightning rods perched on top to catch the morning light.
There are benches to sit on and contemplate new plans for next spring among the many unique pots and planters and birdbaths.
It has been a dry summer, dear readers but the mass of petunias in front of the porch flourish with irrigation and to my amazement I spied pansies which love cool spring weather, peeking out from the shade tree.
Hydrangeas and rosebushes are stunning as are the numerous pocket gardens that display a variety of colors and textures..nature’s beauty and God’s artwork.
So dear readers here is a partial list of one of them.
Moss roses, daffodils, lilies, hostas, flowering crab, geraniums, mums, coleus, sedum, roses, petunias, cone flowers, glorious gladds, tulips, iris, columbine and succulents protected by a cobra snake which was rather frightening to me.
I loved the tour. The old bicycle and chair in lime green was a favorite.
Thank you Miss Charlotte, happy gardening. Don’t forget fall cleanup! Please feel free to drive by 512 East 3rd Street.