Get a glimpse of Batavia's best garden
By ERIC SCHELKOPF – eschelkopf@kcchronicle.com
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| Barbara Lewis stops to examine one of many hosta plants in the backyard of her Batavia home on Tuesday. (Rob Winner – rwinner@kcchronicle.com) |
BATAVIA – One could get a pretty good botany lesson by going through Barbara Lewis' garden.
Japanese Red Maple trees, Pink Turtlehead plants and Marsh Marigolds fill her garden, along with a variety of other plants and flowers.
"It's a work in progress," she said.
Her garden is one of seven featured in Batavia Plain Dirt Gardeners' garden walk from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
"Primrose to Prairie" is the theme of this year's garden walk. This is the eighth garden walk for the club, which is held every other year.
The event and the club's annual plant sale in May provides funds toward the club's commitment to maintain the Batavia Wildflower Sanctuary and for providing several college scholarships.
Tickets for the self-guided garden walk cost $12.50 in advance and are available at the Batavia Park District office, 327 W. Wilson St., Limestone Coffee and Tea, 15 E. Wilson St., Dimple Donuts, 328 E. Wilson St., Batavia Creamery, 4 N. Island Ave., Four Beans Coffeehouse, 1928 W. Wilson St., Bee-Attitudes Antiques, 9 S. Batavia Ave.,and Citgo Service Center, 27 N. Batavia Ave.
Tickets are also available at Townhouse Books & Cafe, 105 N. 2nd Ave., St. Charles, and Spring Bluff Nursery at Bliss and Norris roads in Sugar Grove.
Those who go on the walk will see a diversity of gardens.
"They wanted to get a variety representing different aspects of gardening," said club member Ellen Gauntt, who is in charge of publicity for the walk.
Lewis, 61, has loved plants and flowers all her life.
"I would pick flowers and take them to my teacher," Lewis said.
But even she is surprised how her garden has grown over the years. Barbara and her husband, Steven, first started landscaping their yard in 1999.
"It's like this magical thing that transcended everybody's expectations," she said.
Part of their garden runs through woods, where Hosta plants spread their giant leaves.
She is happy to have visitors exploring her garden on Saturday.
"Mostly you just want to share it," Lewis said. "It really has to do with sharing."
Her garden will continue to be in the spotlight after Saturday's walk. It will be in "Better Homes and Gardens" special issue, "Deck, Patio and Pool," which will hit the news stands in August.
"I feel honored," Lewis said.
She has some advice for those thinking of starting a garden.
"You start with a good overall plan," she said. "They have to consider what kind of garden they want."
Want to go?
What: Batavia Plain Dirt Gardeners' garden walk
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday
Tickets: Tickets for the self-guided tour cost $12.50 in advance and are available at the Batavia Park District office, 327 W. Wilson St. The day of the walk, tickets may be purchased for $15 at the Batavia Government Center, 100 N. Island Ave.
