July 12 Tours with GardenComm in Columbus, OH
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| Access to the backyard among an oasis of green |
We met early on, expecting another day with temperatures in the '90s. Sessions Village is a gated community in Bexley, a suburb of Columbus. The architecture, featuring stone, cobblestone, brick, and other materials, felt old and timeless. A strong garden club presence helped the residents plan and maintain their gardens. Hedge and espalier trimming was contracted to a pruning specialist, but most of the other designs and plantings were the work of the homeowners.
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| Stone, gates, plants, and ponds were all a part of this community. |
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| Several of the homes featured water gardens |
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| Espaliered pears ran the length of outdoor walls |
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| Formal gardens highlighted patio spaces featuring hydrangeas and roses |
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A Japanese maple and hosta frame a beautiful pond and waterfall
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A stop at another area garden featured a wall-enclosed backyard. But the highlight of the stop was hearing from Dr. Allen Armitage about how storytelling enhances our social and other media postings.
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| Dr. Armitage connects with GardenComm |
Mezzacello is an urban farm that embraces science, robotics, plants, ponds, and animals to teach STEM to students in the area. The city corner lot uses computers, energy-creating turbines, and tools for students to create and maintain the farming space.
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| A passion for teaching |
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| A chicken coop from found materials |
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| A garden with sheds housing rabbits, ducks, and chickens |
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| Gardens for pollinators |
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| Showing us various uses for the pond, including water filtration |
Our last stop of the day was the
Franklin Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. Stunning displays, a Chihuly Glass installation, and remarkable Lego creations were around every corner. A storm kept me from seeing the Botanical Gardens outside, leaving me reason to revisit.
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| I highly recommend a visit |
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| Summer heat-loving annuals |
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| Indoor wall of Philodendron Brasil |
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| Bonsai show |
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| Rooftop plaza |
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| View from the plaza |
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| Orange tree, lantana, dipladenia |
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| Life-sized Lego sculpture |
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| One of 18 Chihuly glass sculptures |
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| Lovely sight and sound of water movement |
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| Indoor pond |
After a day full of fun, I headed back to get ready for Cultivate '25 tomorrow, which I will attend with my Valley View Farms workmates.
Thank you to GardenComm for the tours, meal arrangements, and leadership. Also, thanks to our sponsors Proven Winners Color Choice shrubs, Twixwood Nursery, Dramm, Upshoot Gardens, and The Mid-Ohio Farm Collective.
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