adventure to avon-RCGC garden tour

It rained, but that didn't deter most people from enjoying the gardens. The gardens were all unique and very inspiring. Here are a few comments from folks that enjoyed the tour.

“Just had to express my thanks for a wonderful garden tour on July 11. Both my friend and I felt it was one if not the best tour we have been on. Each garden was unique and held delights. The hosts were gracious and full of information.”

“It was a lot of fun, even in the rain, with some great locations.”

“I always enjoy the tour but some stand out more. This year, Pastoral Pleasures will be remembered because of the beauty of the countryside and the glory of the gardens and joy of their owners.”

Come celebrate Summer with us - Annual RCGC Summer Garden Tour is Today!

Saturday, July 11 2009
10am - 4pm
Rain or Shine!

What better to do on a beautiful summer day but to enjoy beautiful and breath-taking gardens! Today is the annual Summer Garden Tour. This year's garden tour, Pastoral Pleasures - A Garden Retreat to Avon, offers an opportunity to visit an area rich in tradition and history, with access to several unique properties that date back to the early 1800's. The surrounding countryside provides an idyllic backdrop for a variety of gardens that each have something distinctive to offer.

You may purchase tickets today for $20 at the following locations:

• 1211 West River Road, Caledonia 14423 - Get Map
• 1374 Jenks Rd., Avon 14414 - Get Map
• Charlton Bed & Breakfast Inn, 310 East Main Street, Avon 14414, 585-226-2838 - Get Map

We hope you enjoy the tour as much as we enjoy offering this unique experience to you!

-kim

Tennessee Coneflower

A few years back, my sister tried planting an herb garden at my place. She had a collection of seeds she planted but it didn't fare so well. She tried using one of the garden beds I had yet to renovate - that bed had been used by the previous owners for vegetables and the soil was poor and spent. Most of the seeds refused to germinate. So I popped a few plants in....like most gardeners I can't stand to see empty garden beds! Most of the plants I got from local nurseries as they tried to unload their nursery stock in mid- to late summer. But one of the plants I picked up as a local home and garden place was going out of business. (I miss Chase Pitkins!) Anyways...it was a Tennessee Coneflower.

It's taken it a few years to come into its own - especially after my sister stopped trying to "weed" it out thinking it was a weed. But it's turned into a nice plant. Unlike other Echinacea like E. purpurea, E. angustifolia, and E. pallida, its petals flex up, not down. While I like the backward curving and somewhat "droopy" petals of the other coneflowers, the Tennessee Coneflower is charming.

Like many native plants, it is hardy and needs no special care. It does not require rich garden soil or even fertilizer for that matter - I have never renovated that garden bed! Pests seem to avoid it but the butterflies and other pollinators love coneflowers. The small seed eating birds love the coneflower seed heads. (I have to beat the birds to the seed of purple coneflowers I have to collect any seed!) It is an endangered flower in its native range. Perhaps you have room for this charmer in your garden?

Here's the PlantFiles page on the Tennessee Coneflower.

-kim