Each year, the Pineridge Garden Club chooses local gardens to receive the Club’s Yard Award in recognition of the gardener’s efforts to beautify the community.  This year, the Club presented garden awards to three local homeowners.

Sue and Joe McDowell

Nestled among the trees, this beautiful garden is a peaceful retreat filled with color, texture, and surprises around every corner. A cozy bench welcomes visitors to sit for a while and enjoy the tranquil surroundings and lush plantings.

Throughout the garden, sweeping collections of hostas in countless varieties create a rich tapestry of foliage. One of the first features to catch your eye is a striking chartreuse hosta, brilliantly glowing among clusters of colorful New Guinea impatiens. Layers of shade-loving plants fill the beds, creating depth and interest while complementing the natural woodland setting.

The gardens wrap around the home and lead into the backyard, where a stunning water feature takes center stage. A lively stream cascades down the hillside, winding its way over carefully placed rocks and boulders. Along the water's edge, colorful lilies, New Guinea impatiens, graceful ornamental grass, and other plantings add vibrant pops of color. A whimsical garden frog is perched among the stream and brings a fun and playful touch to the landscape.

At the top of the steps above the stream, another charming garden awaits. Here, hostas and shade plants are thoughtfully arranged to create a peaceful and inviting space. An antique wash tub has been beautifully repurposed as a planteroverflowing with seasonal flowers and adding a touch of vintage charm.

The gardens continue around the house and along the garage, creating a seamless landscape that feels both natural and carefully designed. From the soothing sounds of the waterfall to the vibrant foliage and colorful blooms, every turn offers something new to discover, making this garden a place to relax, explore, and enjoy nature at its finest.

Barb and Jere Rothgarn

Those who pass by this front garden are treated to a beautiful display of color. The landscape offers a variety of perennials – iris, lilies, salvia, and balloon flower – all nestled among generous beds of flowering sedum and steppingstones and pebble accents that wind throughout the garden to create a meandering path that draws the eye and invites visitors to slow down and enjoy the lush, thoughtfully designed surroundings.

In the backyard, the garden becomes an enchanting retreat filled with personality and charm. The pebbled pathways continue and lead visitors through lovely beds of perennials set against a colorful carpet of sedum groundcover. Pots of flowers provide bursts of seasonal color and cheerful gnomes peek out from among the foliage, adding a touch of whimsy and surprise.

A cozy bench along one side of the garden offers the perfect place to sit, relax, and take in the view, while sparkling gazing balls catch the sunlight and add a bit of magic to the landscape. The other side of the garden features a playful and imaginative gnome village that adds a sense of wonder and fun and invites visitors of all ages to stop and explore the delightful details.

These gardens blend beauty, creativity, and charm, creating an inviting space that encourages visitors to wander, linger, and enjoy every corner.

The Booth Family

Visitors are warmly welcomed into this whimsical garden space by a charming rooster proudly holding a beautiful display of upcycled vintage china dishes arranged to create an inviting and artistic entrance. Just beyond is a stunning wall of trumpet vine forming a lush backdrop and a striking metal tree adorned with dangling crystals and blown glass ornaments that sparkle in the light. 

Below the tree is a babbling garden creek surrounded by a colorful display of annuals and perennials that bring life to thelandscape. At the end of the creek, a large garden toad rests as a playful focal point. The garden continues gracefully along the fence line, where thoughtfully placed pots of flowers mingle with hosta and perennials, creating layers of texture and color. Bright pots of begonias add cheerful bursts of color, enhancing the garden’s lively and welcoming feel. Adding to the charm, is “Doug the Bug,” a delightful metal caterpillar that greets visitors as they wander through. 

 At the far end of the garden is an antique rack that displays another carefully arranged collection of vintage china dishescarefully arranged to catch the sunlight.

Three raised vegetable beds are nestled within this creative landscape, blending beauty and function. Filled with colorful blooms, unique garden art, and personal touches, this thoughtfully curated garden invites visitors to wander, explore, and enjoy its many charming details.  

The Pineridge Garden Club thanks all local gardeners who work hard to add color and beauty to our local environment.  For more information, visit the club’s website at www.pineridgegardenclub.org or on Facebook at Pineridge Garden Club in Cottage Grove.