Gardeners are known for helping each other, swapping plants. To help with the Botanic Garden of Western Pennsylvania, a dozen South Hills residents will participate in “Open Gardens Day,” 9 a.m.to 6 p.m. Sunday, June 10.

Others on the self-guided tour are in the North Hills. Owner gardeners will greet tourists and answer questions.

A relaxing bus tour with lunch is available for those who do not want to drive.

Among the South Hills gardens is Helen Billak’s hillside garden in Mt. Lebanon, designed by professionals.

“The intervening 60 years (since the house was built) provided wonderful structural elements for the garden, but there were many years when the gardens were neglected and became overgrown and crowded,” she said. “As a result, over 20 trees and shrubs have been removed. To minimize the annual work, we have added evergreens and perennials.”

A natural spring flows into a goldfish pond. Because of the numerous trees still standing, most of the plants underneath love shade. Anyone with a shady yard will see which plants thrive.

Part of the garden in back of the house is put to practical use with the planting of herbs and vegetables. Other plants include ferns, roses, hostas, caladium and begonias. Among deciduous trees and evergreens are a stewartia tree, a paper bark maple and several Japanese maples. John and Barbara Wells are veterans at showing their garden. Barbara said they have full grown plants blooming for the tours, rather than tiny plants. She won numerous blue ribbons in the hosta show in 2006 and does well in the daylily show. Along with these favorites, their garden has a variety of other flowers and trees, planted bulbs and fresh rock garden plants. John grows Ox-heart tomatoes and animals haven’t snacked on them as yet. Deer just stand and look over the backyard fence. The front yard of their Bethel Park home is an open floral profusion. They are advocates of troughs and have made many and filled them with plants.

They are pleased that their love of gardening is replicated in their four children and nine grandchildren. Their 6th grade grandson brought his baseball buddies to tour the garden.

Exotic trees are the focal point of the quarter-acre garden of Bill and Elaine Modrak on Highland Road, Bethel Park. She describes it:

“We have a pond with delightful fish, a fountain and quite a few unusual trees–an upright katsura, a weeping katsura, an aristocrat pear tree, a lace leaf Japanese maple a Japanese white cloud maple, a Japanese bloodgood,

a weeping white birch, a river birch and a lion’s head.

“We also have about 250 different daylilies and 250 different hostas, as well as various ferns, many different perennials and bulb lilies.”

Elaine is president of the Pittsburgh Iris and Daylily Society and ran the May Market. She has expert knowledge to share on these flowers.

In Upper St. Clair, Janet Hauge will show her transformed garden on Rexford Drive. It is a prime example of how a dried up plot of land can be turned into a refreshing recreational area, lovely to look at while relaxing.

“Over the past 10 years, our garden has grown from a yard consisting of dead grass and a concrete

slab to having three water gardens, a swimming pool, and numerous varieties of annuals and perennials,” she said.

In the back yard of Phyllis Kokkila on Dwight Ave. in Dormont, a waterfall cascades down over the

steep hillside. She shows what can be done to beautify a small space. A hand-hewn fieldstone curved wall is a sturdy supportive backdrop to her lovely garden Pink atilbe peek from between rocks

“I like traditional plantings, such as lilacs, magnolias and dogwood,” she said. “I’m saving a corner of the garden to plant vegetables.”

A landscape architect and a landscpe firm originated the garden, which required some excavation. A flagstone patio and the wall were constructed, along with an underground watering system and plantings. A 6-foot, latticed, wooden fence provides privacy and entrance. Among the numerous plantings are water plants and such old-tme favorites as black-eyed Susans. Automatic lighting enhances the scene at night.

Those with small plots that present a puzzle to plant will come away with a new slant on what to do with a tiny space.

The Horticultural Society of Western Pennsylvania has been working for 16 years on creation of the Botanic Garden of Western Pennsylvania to be built on 452 acres near he southern end of Settlers Cabin County Park. It is now in the schematic design stage, with funding from appropriate state departments and foundations. Events Coordiinator Ellen S. Ahman said the garden tour will help to provide funds for ongoing operating expenses.

The aim of the Botanic Garden, when it is finished and open, is to promote preservation, study and uses of native plants. It will provide educational programs, a visitors center for all ages, and space for social and cultural events. It will fill a need for an outdoor botanic garden in this region.

Memberships are available with perks such as garden related discounts. Local Discount Partners are Jim Jenkins Lawn and Garden Cener, Lee Heckman Custom Framing and Gallery, Mt. Lebanon Floral and South Hills Nurseries.

For the tour, bus tickets are $80, with reservations at 412-444-4464; Self-guided tickets, members, $30; non-members, $40; can be purchased through that number or online, www.botanicgardenwpa.org, at the Lee Heckman Custom and Framing Gallery or any Wild Birds Unlimited store. Maps and directions will accompany ticket.

source : www.thealmanac.net