Bittersweet Garden Tour shows fruits of hard work while raising funds

From left, Meg Ponder and Diane Ohern look at the hydrangeas and other flowers at the home of Bernie and Bev Brondel, 2110 Whitney Woods Drive, at Sunday's 18th annual Bittersweet Garden Tour.
From left, Meg Ponder and Diane Ohern look at the hydrangeas and other flowers at the home of Bernie and Bev Brondel, 2110 Whitney Woods Drive, at Sunday's 18th annual Bittersweet Garden Tour.

Bernie and Bev Brondel were one of five area homeowners who opened their gardens for the 18th annual Bittersweet Garden Tour on Sunday.

People taking the tour relaxed in their tranquil back yard at 2110 Whitney Woods Drive, marveling at the combination of shade-bearing trees such as a weeping willow, Fuji green giant and maple trees.

It also includes a multitude of various flowers such as hydrangeas, magnolia bushes, hostas, ferns and other shade plants.

The retired couple said they focused on their garden and landscaping in retirement, and have slowly developed their yard over the past five years or so.

"Gardening is fairly new to us," Bev Brondel said. "We're retired, so we have more time now."

The description of the garden said: "Visitors will enjoy this well-manicured retreat with green giant evergreens bordering the property providing a tranquil park-like setting. Beautiful rock-lined beds with benches and a swing invite guests to take a rest and enjoy the view."

The process has involved trial and error, she said. "I love Bradford trees, but we lost six in one year and found out they were invasive. So we planted hardwood trees, oak and maple trees, in their place," she said.

The back yard was all underbrush with berms and rock when they bought the property 16 years ago, she said.

"We were green to gardening," she said. "I've never gardened a day in my life (previously)."

Her advice is to find a nursery that is knowledgeable and dependable, especially when you are first starting to garden. She credits Alice Longfellow for helping her with what to plant, where to plant it and how to keep it flourishing.

People paid $10 to tour the five homes at the annual fundraiser. Each garden featured complimentary refreshments such as fruit-flavored water, cookies and Chex mix.

At the home of Dr. Kevin and Sara Wheat at 2327 Green Meadow, people toured their backyard garden, centered around their pool. Behind the pool is a miniature soccer field and fire pit.

"It's one of the only yards that's been on the tour that's family-oriented," said Master Gardener Brenda Hancock. "It's designed for the family to enjoy. The gardens are low-maintenance, with weed barriers under the rocks and it's all shrubs and perennials, not annuals."

The Wheat's gardens have been described as "small splashes of color" with tulips, lilies, roses, maples and ornamental fruit trees, grasses and boxwood along with gold mop for a contrast in color and texture.