Go for a beauty-full walk and experience a garden tour that’s different, this Sunday, May 31.
The Bellevue Garden Walk (aka tour) will run from 2 to 6 p.m., rain or shine, and feature 15 gardens in the North Side neighborhood. The walk’s now in its 26th year, and it’s self-guided and free.
“Our walk is a must for gardeners and garden enthusiasts that like gardening in big and small spaces,” says chair Andy Mason, who’s worked with a large, enthusiastic and dedicated committee.
What makes the Bellevue Garden Walk unique? It showcases enchanting gardens in all stages of development, from fledgling to mature, and highlights gardens in various styles, planted with a range of skills and budgets. It also includes art by local artists at 12 of the 15 tour stops.
“It’s important for people to see that for most of us, our gardens evolve and probably are never ‘done,’ “ Mason says. “It's easy to get overwhelmed, but reassuring to see someone else starting out.”
Including the work of local artists also celebrates the neighborhood’s creative identity.
So what will you see? There’s so much in bloom now, from irises and hydrangeas to azaleas and trees. You’ll also find vegetables, herbs — even chickens and alpacas.
A good place to start the journey — and where there’s plenty of parking – is near The Dandelion at Holton Elementary School. The school sits on the corner of Hermitage and West Laburnum avenues, and its outdoor classroom has native trees, butterfly and rain gardens and an edible forest planted by the students.
The walk’s also a good opportunity to check out Bellevue’s shops and grab a bite to eat. Two of my favorites: coffee at Stir Crazy; and tea, sweets and antiques at Eclectic Cottage. Both are on MacArthur Avenue. So are the delicious Dots Back In, Tastebuds and The Mill on MacArthur.
Click here to download Bellevue Garden Walk’s map and guide. It’s full of information and details.
