MONROE - Six area gardens will be included in this year's Historic Monroe Garden Walk on Sunday, June 29.
Hours for the walk are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets ($10) are available at Ruf's and the Green County Welcome Center and at each featured garden.
LA GRANGE GARDEN
Joyce La Grange, 1103 11th Ave.
The corner lot garden of Joyce La Grange will astound visitors.
She has been working on the garden for 23 years, and it shows. Every conceivable nook and cranny is loaded with plants, flowers, herbs, and even a little grass. (Only a couple of patches of grass in front of the house and the terraces exist.)
Knowledgeable gardeners will be in their glory. There are plants along the drive, around the side of the house, in a "patch" area to the rear, even a container garden on the deck. It is a visual masterpiece.
When the photo accompanying the article was taken in late May, the alliums were in full bloom. A nodding beautiful anemone graces the back yard.
Garden-goers will find these specimens interesting. On the front of the house is a variegated climbing euonymus, which should have spread all over the front by Garden Walk time. Joyce specializes in ground covers, so hostas abound throughout the yard area. A Guardian Angel hosta is young, but eventually will reach 5 feet by 5 feet, Joyce notes. She has more than 20 different varieties of hosta.
In the "patch" garden, a group of climbing hydrangeas will be in bloom for garden walkers to enjoy. That garden also features a Henry Hudson shrub rose that has pink buds and white flowers. A contorted fig shrub adds a visual impact in the front yard. On the terrace corner, several edelweiss plants were in bud in late May. Other plants include sedums, dwarf conifers and lilies.
The back deck is almost completely containerized and features many herb varieties.
SHUTVET-COUNSELMAN GARDEN
Dean Counselman and Deb Shutvet, N4955 State Highway 69
Visitors should look for a small driveway leading into a stand of pines about 5 miles north of Monroe on the west side of the highway. Proceed down the drive to find the gardens.
Dean designed and built their wonderful log home some 20 years ago. The approximately 17 acres were named "Tehanetorens," a Mohawk name which means "He is looking through the pines," since they are surrounded by huge pine trees. They seem to grow like weeds on this ground.
Over the years here, they have designed and built several raised flower beds, a large vegetable garden, put in a large pond, put up a greenhouse named "Kachina" - a Hopi name meaning "Bringing on the rain and clouds" - and a Tiki bar, which was a gift to Deb from Dean on her 50th birthday.
Gardening always has been Deb's passion, and her stress release from a busy day at work. It is truly our little paradise among the pines.
The couple invites you to walk through their yard and enjoy the peace and beauty.
ALSTON GARDENS
Roger and Christine Alston, W6612 County B
To reach the garden, proceed south on Wisconsin 69 to County B; turn right and proceed west about a mile. Chris notes that the landscape's start was an open hayfield when the home was built on the family farm in 1973.
The first flowering plants added to the yard were peony plants, typically found in country yards. A perennial flowerbed was added several years later, and was doubled in size several years ago. Evergreens are used as a backdrop in most of the garden areas, allowing for visual interest, as well as offering protection.
Rocks used in the landscape were gathered on the property, including a large rock located in the front lawn. A backyard focal point includes a water feature - a small pond with pergola overhead.
The informal gardens are continually changing with additions, the moving of plants and removal of plants and shrubs. There never was a master plan - the gardens and landscape evolved over time. Many potted annual plants are kept over the winter months in a heated potting shed.
BINKLEY GARDEN
Lee and Nina Binkley, 2435 8th St.
Monroe's Community Garden Plot was the first gardening experience for Nina Binkley. A very dear friend of hers actually got her interested in raising vegetables. For years, that was the extent of Nina's gardening. As their children grew older, she found more time to work in the yard.
She and Lee's home had an existing flower bed when they moved there 21 years ago. Over the years, she added more beds and saw changes taking place as old trees came down and new ones were planted. Their son planted the huge white pine from a sapling he received as a young child.
Many of the original large maples and shrubs are gone, and have been replaced with shrubs that are relatively low maintenance. Sun-loving plants such as roses, daylilies, phlox, coneflowers, daisies and bee balm can be found throughout most of the gardens. A pergola was built on an area that once had the dog kennel, which is a wonderful place to sit and enjoy the view of the gardens.
The diversity in the Binkley gardens provides interest throughout the seasons. It also has been a welcome spot for many birds. Nina always has marveled at the miracle of growth from a tiny seed. Flower gardening allows Nina to work the soil and take a small part in establishing a place of beauty for all to enjoy.
BYSTRY GARDEN
Michael and Cheryl Bystry, 1109 11th Ave.
The Bystrys live right next to master gardener Joyce La Grange. Their garden features many varieties of hostas, a hidden sunken garden and scores of perennials.
When the accompanying photo was taken, the Bystry peonies were in full glory. The architecture and placement of the rear, sunken garden is worth the visit, to see how the couple has used terracing and plant placement to create their own little wonderland.
Since their garden was featured on the 2003 Garden Walk, they have added a bi-color beech, which will attract many garden viewers. This spectacular specimen is in shades of cream and red, which makes for a standout focal point.
Garden walkers should note that since both the La Grange and Bystry gardens adjoin, viewers should check in at the Bystry residence first, since the welcoming table there will serve both gardens.
BOEHME-VIEIRALVES GARDEN
Michael Boehme and Barbara Vieiralves, 1726 Lake Drive
This garden should be a stunning lily showplace by the time of the Garden Walk. Both their front and back yards feature Asiatic lilies, which have reached immense heights due to the spring rains. In the front yard, delphiniums and roses add to the display.
The back yard two-level garden features an outdoor fireplace, a grass patio area, and is surrounded by lilies and hostas. The upper level features a unique hideaway featuring a hot tub. In the corner of the back garden is a massive locust-type tree, with ivy trailing up the trunk. The lacy, split leaves of the tree add a dappled sunny-shade look to the whole garden.
Viewers to this garden should be aware that the driveway leading up to the residence is very steep, and caution should be taken.
• • •
The proceeds from this year's walk will be used to defray the quite expensive restoration of the carriages for the Civil War canons which recently were re-installed on the Courthouse lawn by Historic Monroe.
In conjunction with the walk, attention is called to the two new school drawings which Historic Monroe has recently commissioned. These are the St. Victor school, 1916, and Green County Normal School, 1920. These two drawings by Monroe artist Jeanne Ausmus join the previous six renderings of past Monroe schools. All are on permanent display at the Monroe Public Library. Postcard renditions of all the schools are available at the Green County Welcome Center.
Garden walkers are invited to tour the Welcome Center/ Historic Cheesemaking Center grounds and museum, also on June 29, where refreshments will be served during walk hours.
• • •
To view photos of each garden submitted by Historic Monroe, please visit our Photo Gallery at this site.
Hours for the walk are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets ($10) are available at Ruf's and the Green County Welcome Center and at each featured garden.
LA GRANGE GARDEN
Joyce La Grange, 1103 11th Ave.
The corner lot garden of Joyce La Grange will astound visitors.
She has been working on the garden for 23 years, and it shows. Every conceivable nook and cranny is loaded with plants, flowers, herbs, and even a little grass. (Only a couple of patches of grass in front of the house and the terraces exist.)
Knowledgeable gardeners will be in their glory. There are plants along the drive, around the side of the house, in a "patch" area to the rear, even a container garden on the deck. It is a visual masterpiece.
When the photo accompanying the article was taken in late May, the alliums were in full bloom. A nodding beautiful anemone graces the back yard.
Garden-goers will find these specimens interesting. On the front of the house is a variegated climbing euonymus, which should have spread all over the front by Garden Walk time. Joyce specializes in ground covers, so hostas abound throughout the yard area. A Guardian Angel hosta is young, but eventually will reach 5 feet by 5 feet, Joyce notes. She has more than 20 different varieties of hosta.
In the "patch" garden, a group of climbing hydrangeas will be in bloom for garden walkers to enjoy. That garden also features a Henry Hudson shrub rose that has pink buds and white flowers. A contorted fig shrub adds a visual impact in the front yard. On the terrace corner, several edelweiss plants were in bud in late May. Other plants include sedums, dwarf conifers and lilies.
The back deck is almost completely containerized and features many herb varieties.
SHUTVET-COUNSELMAN GARDEN
Dean Counselman and Deb Shutvet, N4955 State Highway 69
Visitors should look for a small driveway leading into a stand of pines about 5 miles north of Monroe on the west side of the highway. Proceed down the drive to find the gardens.
Dean designed and built their wonderful log home some 20 years ago. The approximately 17 acres were named "Tehanetorens," a Mohawk name which means "He is looking through the pines," since they are surrounded by huge pine trees. They seem to grow like weeds on this ground.
Over the years here, they have designed and built several raised flower beds, a large vegetable garden, put in a large pond, put up a greenhouse named "Kachina" - a Hopi name meaning "Bringing on the rain and clouds" - and a Tiki bar, which was a gift to Deb from Dean on her 50th birthday.
Gardening always has been Deb's passion, and her stress release from a busy day at work. It is truly our little paradise among the pines.
The couple invites you to walk through their yard and enjoy the peace and beauty.
ALSTON GARDENS
Roger and Christine Alston, W6612 County B
To reach the garden, proceed south on Wisconsin 69 to County B; turn right and proceed west about a mile. Chris notes that the landscape's start was an open hayfield when the home was built on the family farm in 1973.
The first flowering plants added to the yard were peony plants, typically found in country yards. A perennial flowerbed was added several years later, and was doubled in size several years ago. Evergreens are used as a backdrop in most of the garden areas, allowing for visual interest, as well as offering protection.
Rocks used in the landscape were gathered on the property, including a large rock located in the front lawn. A backyard focal point includes a water feature - a small pond with pergola overhead.
The informal gardens are continually changing with additions, the moving of plants and removal of plants and shrubs. There never was a master plan - the gardens and landscape evolved over time. Many potted annual plants are kept over the winter months in a heated potting shed.
BINKLEY GARDEN
Lee and Nina Binkley, 2435 8th St.
Monroe's Community Garden Plot was the first gardening experience for Nina Binkley. A very dear friend of hers actually got her interested in raising vegetables. For years, that was the extent of Nina's gardening. As their children grew older, she found more time to work in the yard.
She and Lee's home had an existing flower bed when they moved there 21 years ago. Over the years, she added more beds and saw changes taking place as old trees came down and new ones were planted. Their son planted the huge white pine from a sapling he received as a young child.
Many of the original large maples and shrubs are gone, and have been replaced with shrubs that are relatively low maintenance. Sun-loving plants such as roses, daylilies, phlox, coneflowers, daisies and bee balm can be found throughout most of the gardens. A pergola was built on an area that once had the dog kennel, which is a wonderful place to sit and enjoy the view of the gardens.
The diversity in the Binkley gardens provides interest throughout the seasons. It also has been a welcome spot for many birds. Nina always has marveled at the miracle of growth from a tiny seed. Flower gardening allows Nina to work the soil and take a small part in establishing a place of beauty for all to enjoy.
BYSTRY GARDEN
Michael and Cheryl Bystry, 1109 11th Ave.
The Bystrys live right next to master gardener Joyce La Grange. Their garden features many varieties of hostas, a hidden sunken garden and scores of perennials.
When the accompanying photo was taken, the Bystry peonies were in full glory. The architecture and placement of the rear, sunken garden is worth the visit, to see how the couple has used terracing and plant placement to create their own little wonderland.
Since their garden was featured on the 2003 Garden Walk, they have added a bi-color beech, which will attract many garden viewers. This spectacular specimen is in shades of cream and red, which makes for a standout focal point.
Garden walkers should note that since both the La Grange and Bystry gardens adjoin, viewers should check in at the Bystry residence first, since the welcoming table there will serve both gardens.
BOEHME-VIEIRALVES GARDEN
Michael Boehme and Barbara Vieiralves, 1726 Lake Drive
This garden should be a stunning lily showplace by the time of the Garden Walk. Both their front and back yards feature Asiatic lilies, which have reached immense heights due to the spring rains. In the front yard, delphiniums and roses add to the display.
The back yard two-level garden features an outdoor fireplace, a grass patio area, and is surrounded by lilies and hostas. The upper level features a unique hideaway featuring a hot tub. In the corner of the back garden is a massive locust-type tree, with ivy trailing up the trunk. The lacy, split leaves of the tree add a dappled sunny-shade look to the whole garden.
Viewers to this garden should be aware that the driveway leading up to the residence is very steep, and caution should be taken.
• • •
The proceeds from this year's walk will be used to defray the quite expensive restoration of the carriages for the Civil War canons which recently were re-installed on the Courthouse lawn by Historic Monroe.
In conjunction with the walk, attention is called to the two new school drawings which Historic Monroe has recently commissioned. These are the St. Victor school, 1916, and Green County Normal School, 1920. These two drawings by Monroe artist Jeanne Ausmus join the previous six renderings of past Monroe schools. All are on permanent display at the Monroe Public Library. Postcard renditions of all the schools are available at the Green County Welcome Center.
Garden walkers are invited to tour the Welcome Center/ Historic Cheesemaking Center grounds and museum, also on June 29, where refreshments will be served during walk hours.
• • •
To view photos of each garden submitted by Historic Monroe, please visit our Photo Gallery at this site.