North Ogden/Pleasant View Garden Tour Announced @ Ogden Nature Center (OG: July 13)

SUMMER GARDEN TOUR

On Saturday, July 13 from 9 am - 3 pm nine fabulous residential gardens in North Ogden and Pleasant View will be open to the public for a garden tour.  The tour will also feature a bonus organic tomato farm.  The event is sponsored by The Ardent Gardener Landscape Design, and all proceeds benefit the Ogden Nature Center.

These lovely gardens vary greatly in scale and approach, with inspiring displays of outdoor architecture, sustainability, color and textures.  Tour goers are sure to gather many ideas for their own gardens.

Tickets:
$15 for Ogden Nature Center members / $20 for nonmembers.  Tickets may be purchased online at www.ogdennaturecenter.org  or in person at the Ogden Nature Center -- 966 W. 12th St., Ogden, or at any of the gardens the day of the tour.  

Details:
The garden tour will be held rain or shine—no refunds.  Tour maps and tickets will be available at all of the gardens, so tour goers may begin at any garden.  There will be art and treats in the gardens—some free samples and some available for purchase!   Garden descriptions and addresses are all online at www.ogdennaturecenter.org .

THE GARDENS:
Garden 1 – The Rock Garden, Southwest corner of 400 North and Harrisville Rd. (Hwy 89)
You’ve driven by this garden many times and have always wondered what lies beyond that crazy gorgeous fence. Located on the corner of 400 North and Harrisville Road, The Rock Garden is owned by respected plantsman, Gayle Allen and his wife Mary, and was Gayle’s childhood home.  In a piece of the pioneer homestead owned by his Great Grandmother, Gayle has created a virtual arboretum of unique and interesting plant specimens. Outdoor rooms of living walls, ceilings and floors include a Woodland Garden, Hosta Garden, Evergreen Garden and Edible Garden among many others. Unique plants include miniature hosta, flowering dogwood trees, weeping Siberian Peashrub, many Japanese maples and unique conifers and grasses.  The big cherry tree by the front door was planted by Gayle’s grandmother, and many other plants were taken from cuttings from her garden. Interesting, unique garden art designed by Gayle is around every corner. This is a MUST SEE!!!  Miniature Fairy Gardens for sale.

Garden 2 – The Japngie Garden, 138 West 2050 North, Harrisville
Located in an unassuming residential neighborhood, this surprising, small garden is filled with spirit and light.  A stone labyrinth leads to a vine-cloaked meditation pergola which is oriented to the east to provide stunning views of our Wasatch Mountains.  Temple bells, a trickling water feature, and spiritual statuary complete this very special space created by the owner’s friend Kris Starkey, an interior designer.  A nicely scaled deck allows for year round enjoyment of this beautiful garden space.  Kris will be in the garden selling her fine art. TriCity Nursery in Kaysville is sponsor of this lovely garden.

Garden 3 – The Steiner Garden, 4527 North 350 West, Pleasant View
Thorny brambles, overgrown alder, wild grasses and significant ground water encroached deep into this back yard prior to its recent, significant remodel. The native landscape has now been contained behind an extensive artistic, curving stack stone wall which frames a serene, park like garden. Heavy bronze scuppers circulate water through the wall, allowing the new water feature to merge visually with the natural stream. Existing concrete patios are tied together with more stone work, and a freestanding stone fireplace.  Look for the recycled glass and fossil shells in the concrete cap on the seat wall. Huge pieces of locally quarried blond sandstone provide additional living space and lead to a 12 ft. slab bridge that spans the water feature, and leads through a custom stone arch to a shady, covered pergola.  The separate fire pit patio is sited to provide stunning night views of the city lights, and the amazing chicken coop/garden complex is not to be missed.  This garden remodel was designed by Laurie Van Zandt, owner of The Ardent Gardener Landscape Design. Stone work is by BT Stone Masonry.  Carpentry by Tad Judd.  Leaf Art for sale in this garden.

Garden 4 – The Butters Garden, 179 West 4100 North, Pleasant View
Essentially built into a massive rock slab, this home and garden utilize rock quarried from the property to marry the home to the surrounding landscape. The rock work on the home, archways and retention were pulled from the site, and match the natural rockscape of the area creating an organic and dynamic view. Minimal plantings allow the rock outcroppings to take center stage. Owners Lori and Craig desired to protect native Hackberry trees and natural rock formations, so the home and gardens were designed to leave portions of the garden as untouched native. A rock tunnel, covered in Boston ivy, was built into the natural landscape and leads from the covered patio to the lawn and rock alcove. A natural gas fire pit filled with crushed red glass is set into the center of stone pavers where natural stone benches were created out of rocks from the lot. Huge rock slabs were set to create a south facing garden that is protected from the mountain winds. In the front of the home a Sheep Fescue lawn, which requires little maintenance and water, weaves between rocks, shrubs and flowerbeds. Lucky Slice Pizza will be sold in this garden.

Garden 5 – The Chamberlin Garden, 106 West 4100 North, Pleasant View
Owned by architect Jim Chamberlin and his wife Lucille, this garden was conceived by their daughter,   Jayne Mulford.  Jayne was a Landscape Architect student at Utah State 12 years ago when she designed this garden for her parents. You may now know her as the director of The Utah House located in Kaysville.  This park-like setting utilizes ‘borrowed’ landscapes from the surrounding hillsides, a unique contemporary water feature from our favorite garden store, Ward & Child, as well as a comfortable, welcoming back porch that is The Family Room. A patio has been beautifully sited to take full advantage of the stunning views. Note the rare plantings and beautiful Pin Oaks, as well as the interesting dry creek located along the fence line. The lucky owners say “We are outside in our garden every minute we can be.” This is definitely a ‘feel good’ garden space.  Pearl Milk Tea Club will be selling bubble tea in this garden.

Garden 6 – The Grassli Garden, 4206 North 125 West, Pleasant View
Renowned landscape architect Leonard Grassli and his wife Michaelene call this garden their summer home, and they, along with friends and family, enjoy it daily during warm weather.  The broad, bermed front of the property that boasts a rock-lined streambed designed to accommodate spring mountain run-off water, engages the visitor’s view and draws it to the home which is settled peacefully away from the street.  A rose-covered pergola at the entrance of the home is repeated in the grape-covered pergola sheltering the brick patio in the back garden.  The pergolas and the trellis over the garage entrance are beautiful examples of integrating architecture with landscape. Surrounding brick walls enclose the back garden and provide a sense of warmth and tranquility, while affording stunning views of the mountains beyond.  A feeling of timeless beauty is achieved through the clean, classic lines of the garden and pool.  The Grassli garden was begun in 1977 and its mature trees, brick patios, and classic shapes are as relevant today as they were then. Note the spaciousness of the living areas, flow of traffic patterns, and use of line of sight.  Much of the garden has been allowed to naturalize, so you will see a mix of structured and unstructured plantings. Watch for details such as the moon gate entrance to the back garden and the secluded flagstone seating area.   Leonard, now retired, is the founder of MGB+A The Grassli Group.  Located in Salt Lake City, they are urban designers, land planners, and landscape architects.  Visitors will be interested to know that Leonard is the master planner and designer of Thanksgiving Point in Lehi, the Weber State University campus, the Harrisville Canal on Ogden Weber Applied Technology College campus, the Ogden Municipal Gardens and Amphitheater, and the central plaza at the Junction in downtown Ogden. Music by Joyful Strings Quartet.

Garden 7 – The Weiskopf Garden, 4506 Cottonwood, Pleasant View
“Slightly Controlled Chaos” is how the owners describe their garden.  Masses of perennials and native chokecherry and sumac that are a bit on the wild side, blend to the native plantings on the hillside behind this gardener’s garden.  A beautiful knot garden and a shaded arbor make this secluded back yard a place where friends, family and birds would want to spend the day. Part of the chaos is the front lawn that has become an ‘oregano’ lawn, and various nooks and crannies full of interesting shade plants.  The owners are adamant about keeping the garden organic and do not use any pesticides or weed killers.  Hardscape was designed by Leonard Grassli, LA, with plantings added in over the last nineteen years by the owners with help from gardener, Sarah Sondergaard, owner of Just Gardens.  All of the Weiskopf plants came from Willard Bay Gardens.  Note: A steep driveway leads to the garden.  Enjoy music by Patricia Painter & Ken Beck and art by Ellen Fowers in this garden.

Garden 8 – The Barker Garden, 3241 North Garner Circle, North Ogden
While initially appearing to be a pretty traditional garden in a traditional neighborhood, closer inspection will reveal that this garden, designed by Laurie Van Zandt, is the epitome of a true Xeriscape. Drought tolerant and native plantings predominate, while more thirsty features such as a small lawn and a drip irrigated vegetable garden take supporting roles. Bees and birds are encouraged with the planting of Serviceberry trees, currants, Gamble oak, native Hawthorn, colorful perennials and a water-wise Idaho Fescue meadow. Only recently planted, this is a great example of how a smart, low maintenance, interesting garden can be achieved with limited use of precious water.  A current gardening trend toward self sufficiency is included through a coordinating garden shed, raised vegetable beds and fruit trees. Carpentry by Brian Keith of Envision Homes. Landscape installation by Western Landscaping, sponsor of this garden.

Garden 9 – The Beeson Garden, 1311 East 2600 North, North Ogden
Old fashioned charm abounds in this colorful, immaculately maintained garden.  All the traditional ingredients are here including bleeding hearts, delphinium, iris, lilac, geranium, peonies, baskets of red geraniums, and masses of annual color that provide impact all summer long.   A quaint gazebo, Koi pond, waterfall and old fashioned plantings take center stage in the first garden room, while a lattice fence, hot tub, fountain and covered patio resplendent in hanging baskets and old fashioned lights creates a second intimate space in this L shaped back garden. Mini cupcakes by Creative Desserts!

Bonus Garden:  Canine Companions for Independence Organic Farm – 111 East Pleasant View Drive
Many years ago, Linda Weiskopf started growing heirloom tomatoes for her family’s use. As her passion for these delicious, fragrant tomatoes grew, so did the number of plants, and she found herself giving many of them away. Today, this passion has grown into a full organic farm, where the Weiskopfs grow heirloom tomatoes in addition to peppers, squash, ten varieties of eggplant, cucumbers and other vegetables. These organic fruits and vegetables are sold to local restaurants including Roosters, Union Grill and Tona Sushi. The land for the garden and the water used have been generously donated by Rands Roofing. Planting materials, greenhouse space, and all the extra veggies for the farm are generously donated by Willard Bay Gardens. All profits from the sale of the produce benefit Canine Companions, a non-profit.  The gardeners that tend the garden are a collection of CCI puppy raisers and volunteers. Please pick up a handout provided by Linda Weiskopf detailing the methods she employs to keep her gardens healthy and happy, and the benefits of going organic. A partial list of the heirloom tomatoes Linda grows and literature about Canine Companions will also be available at the Farm.

Many thanks to The Ardent Gardener Landscape Design, Tri City Nursery and Western Landscaping for sponsoring this event.

For more information please contact the Ogden Nature Center at 801-621-7595.