A Walk In the Garden
Sun-Gazette
Wondering what to get mom for Mother’s Day? Why not take her on a nice walk through a beautiful garden … or four of them.
The Exeter Chamber of Commerce is holding its annual Garden Walk from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 12 in Exeter. Come view four unique gardens and then enjoy refreshments and tea at By the Water Tower Antiques. Each year hundreds walk through various area gardens enjoying the sights, sounds and smell of local flora and fauna.
Tickets are $15 and available at the Exeter Chamber of Commerce and By the Water Tower Antiques in Exeter. For more information call 592-2919.
Dan and Jeri Sweeney Garden
This beautiful homestead of 20 acres sits nestled within fragrant orange trees and is a jewel in the Venice Hill area of Exeter.
The Sweeney’s love for this land began in 1993, with the planting of the 10 acres of oranges at the front of their property. Their first project was the creation of the large .2 acre pond with the breathtaking 300 ton waterfall. The many rocks for the waterfall were hand selected from the Badger Hill and Three Rivers area and it took two years to complete. The pond also has an island accessed by an old arched wooden bridge with a large gazebo structure in the middle. This is a lovely place to sit and take notice of the lovely Iris’s and wildflowers sprinkled throughout the rocks. The old wooden dock keeps a couple of small boats until one is ready to go exploring for wildlife. Many fish, turtles, birds and Canadian Geese, Mallard ducks make their homes, here in the pond, surrounded by 158 Blue Aptos Redwood trees planted in 1997.
Dan Jeri were thrilled to finally built their country home in 2006, matching it to their existing landscape. The front of their home hosts a soothing water fountain and a large grass area. You will also see many box hedges and colorful shrubbery. In the back yard you will be treated with the fragrances of a pretty rock rose garden, a vegetable area and a rock flower cutting area. All of the interesting rocks you see were also gathered from Badger Hill in 1985.
Just imagine how relaxing it is to take a summer dip in the pool or stroll along the walking path while surrounded by the beauty of this landscape.
Darrel and Mary Waterman Garden
When the Waterman’s moved to Exeter in 2004, they knew they were ready to slow down and “smell the roses”. They are a self employed family and wanted to find a relaxing way to enjoy their yard. “Having never successfully grown anything” they were excited when they were able to plant their first vegetable garden.
They were already enjoying their mini orchard of lemon, orange, cherry, apricot and plum trees, so they figured attempting a vegetable garden couldn’t hurt. They were thrilled when veggies started to grow too. They have very much enjoyed the rewarding bounty of their raised edible garden beds . You may see tomatoes, potatoes, beans, carrots, lettuce, pumpkins, watermelon, cantaloupe and blackberries.
One of the favorite additions to their home, after building, was the expansion of the patio and added shade covering atop the brick patio which they labored over with love.
They enjoy many evening meals and family gatherings here. You will find a hidden spa area tucked away, where they can often be found relaxing after long days working in their office.
Your senses will be delighted with the aroma of orange blossoms and the recently planted wisteria as one enjoys a sit in the shade under the patio or refuge in the spa. This is where the Waterman’s find time to slow down and “smell the roses”.
The front yard will be undergoing some redesign this coming fall, but the main feature will remain. Can you guess what that is? If you guessed the “fake” grass you were right. This no maintenance, always green lawn is a highlight in the Waterman garden that is sure to stay.
The cute tandem bicycle leaning at the base of the Coastal Redwood is a reminder, to the family, of the adventures they’ve had traveling around the world on this bicycle.
They were so happy and they hope that you notice the old water valve cover from Waterman Industries, even though the only connection is in name and they have no family relationship.
Ron and Sue Phillips Garden
The Phillips hope you enjoy your visit as much as they enjoy working and relaxing here. If you follow the walk to the right you will see a large pine tree under-planted with a mix of flowering shrubs and dwarf nandina. Further along the fence you will find clematis vines, black and blue salvia and a tall narrow thuja and a big free growing lorapetalum bush.
Just to the right of the gazebo you will see a slightly mounded area with a little stone pathway that leads to the back of the planting area. This year is only the second year they have planted this area with a mix of perennials and annuals. In another year or so they hope to have a colorful little planting bed with very little care and maintenance.
The Phillips hope you enjoy the Japanese maple area with it’s rocks and ground cover. If you wish, sit down and relax on the little white bench tucked away by the fence and backed up by a flowering evergreen vine.
They love its fragrance and the way it pushes its way around the lamp post.
The west end of the yard has another raised area and a planting are with a trial mix of perennials and annuals. This area is more “woodsy” looking with evergreen trees, a red leaf maple and shrubs. The Phillips hope these will soon provide more shade on those hot summer afternoons.
The walk will lead you along another planting bed between the patio and the lawn area. Look for the hostas and impatients among the larger plants. On toward the east end of the patio you will come to an area shaded by an Italian Stone Pine. They have planted this area with a mix of red, white and blue, the colors of the wonderful American flag, although it is a little early for the blue agapanthus to be in bloom.
As they planned their yard their goal was to provide an attractive area to be viewed from the windows of the home so they can enjoy the back yard even from the inside.
The Phillips have tried to provide each little area with an anchor planting such as flowering shrubs, small trees or tall narrow evergreen thujas and then finish out the area with small evergreen plants, perennials and annuals.
They hope you leave with a new idea or an inspiration to plant something new and make your world a more beautiful and enjoyable place in which to live.
Fred and Glenna Bardone Garden
Fred and Glenna Bardone have created a landscape that is rooted in nostalgia. The flowers their grandparents grew and loved surround this lovely Victorian style country home. As soon as you step from your car, you will be taken in with a detail here, a splash of color there and beauty all around. When the Bardone’s began the process of building their “dream home” some 15 years ago, their focus was to create a relaxing environment for enjoying time with family and friends. They have used a mixture of annuals and perennials for a very homey effect. The front is so welcoming and hosts many different colors and type of roses, coastal redwoods, Japanese maples, baby tear, a raised vegetable garden, grape vines and much more.
Strolling along, you will see several water features and be tempted to sit and relax on the cozy swing, glider, benches or chairs. Fred and Glenna did all of the landscaping, plantings, water features and design and enjoy trying new plantings and decorating ideas. Garden art and creative objects have been placed imaginatively throughout the planters and porches to catch your eye and add a whimsical feel all around.
The incredible view will tempt you into the back yard as you travel in from either side of the house through beautiful arbors and color in abundance. The mountains stretch as far as your eye can see with breathtaking views all around. It is a haven for hummingbirds, bees and butterflies. Watch for small sparrows and golden finches as you meander through the back yard. From the large back deck you will see dogwood trees, red maples and your nose will be delighted. Be sure to stop and enjoy the shade of the willow trees, near the red barn, where several family members and close friends have enjoyed their weddings, receptions, birthday parties and special moments.
The large lush lawn surrounding the home is the scene of many family egg tosses, marsh mellow gun fights and bocce ball competitions. The patios find many a little feet racing around after the animals and riding along on tricycles. So many memorable meals and sunset and sunrise talks have been and continue to be enjoyed on the deck and porches.
Fred and Glenna hope you enjoy their garden as much and they do and that you feel at home and welcome.
By the Water Tower Antiques
Refreshments and tea will also be served at By the Water Tower Antiques, the loveliest place to relax underneath gently veiled tents and chat about the lovely gardens. Take a stroll through the shop and find something to commemorate a wonderful day out with mom or the girls. By the Water Tower Antiques is located at 141 South B Street in Exeter.
Tickets for the walk are $15 and available at the Exeter Chamber of Commerce and By the Water Tower Antiques.
The event is sponsored this year by Petals and Presents and C-Thru Window Cleaning. The Exeter Chamber of Commerce is located at 101 W. Pine Street in downtown Exeter. For more information call 592-2919.
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