What: Garden Walk 2008 sponsored by the Villagers of Bloomingdale
When: 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 20
Where: Addresses of the featured gardens in Bloomingdale and Roselle will be released at noon at Bloomingdale Village Hall, 201 S. Bloomingdale Road
Featured gardens:
Woodland Sun Garden — This front yard and driveway garden uses a spectacular field of flowers. A quick trek down a gravel path leads to the back deck, which overlooks a natural forest.
The Pool & Gazebo Garden — A fenced-in pool is decorated with beautiful pots of flowers. Incredible landscaping on the other side of the gate incorporates trees, shrubs and flowers.
The Woodland Shade Garden — This large garden is filled with trees, shrubs and flowers of all species. The garden pathways offer amazing views of summer colors and intricate landscaping.
The Terrace Garden — Filled with a decorated floral deck, this garden features a small waterfall and koi pond plus a unique fish fountain. The terrace steps are surrounded with brightly colored flowers.
The Waterfall & Pond Garden — As the domicile of a professional pond and waterfall artist, this haven features a waterfall in the front yard and turtle pond off of the deck in the backyard. In the rear, there is the Jolly Green Giant Garden, where vegetables are grown to two or three times their normal size. The pumpkins are something to behold.
The Hidden Garden — The front of the home has a European flair, with bright floral pots and plants decorating the entrance. A unique variety of trees, shrubs and flowers surrounding mystical statues on the garden paths make the backyard the perfect place for playing or picnicking.
“The stars of the show are the gardeners who put their gardens on display,” said Bette Torpe, garden walk coordinator. “These are special people (with) an uncanny relationship with the beauty of nature. The world is a more beautiful place because of them.”
Main attraction: “The Woodland Shade Garden is just gorgeous,” Torpe said. “But the Terrace Garden is just a minimiracle because a microburst on July 5 caused a huge tree to smash the garden, pool, deck and (part of the) house. The garden was virtually destroyed, but the owners put it all back together again with the help of a crew of family, friends and neighbors, who arrived to help with the restoration.”
Benefiting: Family Shelter Services in Wheaton, Humanitarian Services Project in Carol Stream, Volunteer Counsel of Bloomingdale Township and Bloomingdale VFW Post 7539
Tickets: $10; may be purchased before the event by calling Torpe at (630) 924-6861 or at noon the day of the event at Bloomingdale Village Hall
Sponsors: Old Town Bank & Trust of Bloomingdale, Ace Hardware Stores in Bloomingdale and Carol Stream, Bentleys Restaurant in Bloomingdale, Carpet Medic in Itasca, Kirlins Hallmart in Bloomingdale, Mandarin Bistro Restaurant in Bloomingdale, Platt Hill Nursery in Bloomingdale, Serino’s Deli in Bloomingdale, Silver Lake Restaurant in Roselle, Villaggio’s Restaurant in Roselle and others