Many years ago, as I commuted to work, daily I would pass an abandoned white farmhouse. The very tired and broken down free-standing home, all alone in an abandoned field, seemed to be destined to meet the wrecking ball and soon to be replaced by a new shopping mall. Fast forward years later, upon a shopping trip to the Growing Place (Aurora, IL location) did I realize I was walking through this old farmhouse. Now filled with lovely treasures for the home and garden, this house feels cozy and quaint. This beautiful old home, built in the 1860′s had been moved from its original location to this peaceful oasis to live out the rest of its life. Surrounded by flower beds, birdbaths and wind chimes, instead of the cornfields it once tamed, I smile knowing it survived and hope it will be around for another 100 years.
The Growing Place is not Giverny, but you will be transformed to a distant place the moment you walk through the gated picket fence. Your senses will be greeted by the sound of water dripping off the edge of a bird bath and the soft repetitive chopping sound of a shovel lightly hitting the soil. The din of bird songs is louder than the voices of the staff. Almost immediately, your creative juices begin to flow as you walk through the garden beds and take in the full color display that summer has to offer. If you plan to visit, make sure you stop by mid-July to get the full impact this place has to offer. Maybe you are in need of a master gardener, a library nook chalked-full of nothing but garden books, or just a place to relax and unwind. The help is usually working hard and tending to the plants, but the knowledgeable staff is always willing to help. On my last trip, I learned not to plant Peonies too deep in soil and not to cover the pink nodes on the stem, or they will not bloom.
Whether you stopped by the Growing Place to plan your garden for next year, get ideas on how to expand your garden this year, or you just wanted to get lost in this insulated pocket of nature for a few hours, you have come to the right place. “Idea Gardens” are positioned throughout the property to help you expand your creativity. Moonlit, Shade, Rock and Formal Gardens are designed to walk around, smell and touch. Garden art is endless and pots in every color and size are available. Explore this oasis of color and get your green thumbs shaking with excitement!
Follow the link to see more images from the Growing Place, Aurora, IL.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7644568@N06/sets/72157634711370056/