Green Fingers, Verdant Hearts

Stars of the Park Hill Garden Walk

By Tara Bannon Williamson, Special to the GPHN

If you wish to make anything grow, you must understand it, and understand it in a very real sense. “Green fingers” are a fact, and a mystery only to the unpracticed. But green fingers are the extensions of a verdant heart.    — Russell Page

To be a gardener is a curious thing: scientific and magical, solitary and communal, exhausting and rejuvenating. The combination of daily detailed attentiveness and occasional bouts of earth-moving hard work is firmly in the realm of a committed relationship.

Those brave souls whose loving efforts are the stars of this year’s Park Hill Garden Walk have many things in the common, including a devotion and pride in their community and a connection to not only the earth, but also to the people they love who inspire them. Here are a few of their stories:

Betty Luellen-Clarke expressed a desire to participate in the Garden Walk, but unfortunately passed away. And so this year, in her memory a team of friends and neighbors, led by David Dubas and Nancy Downs, are fulfilling her wish for her, with the blessing of her husband, Rick Clarke.

“Gardens anchor us into the environment so that we are not separate and apart from it,” Dubas says. I believe this is reflected in his collaboration with friends and neighbors beautifully demonstrating what makes us a responsive community.

Jane Hultin moved to Park Hill in 1978 to start a new chapter in her life. She chose Park Hill and says she feels strongly about doing her part to keep it a strong community, as expressed through her participation in the Garden Walk. Her whimsical garden was also featured on the first Park Hill Garden Walk in 2001.

Hultin, along with Pam Philpott-Jones, have created a sheltered garden oasis in close proximity to a busy thoroughfare. As a further expression of her community pride, her garden features shared raised vegetable beds that are a cooperative effort between Hultin and her neighbors.

David Strong has lived in Park Hill since 2002. He is proud of this community and to raise his children here. His garden is perfectly suited to making a lifetime of great family memories with a flagstone patio, a gas fire pit, water feature and retractable awning. His desire to stay close to the earth and eat what he grows is reflected in a long flagstone raised bed perfect for growing vegetables.

For Tom Wordinger, “gardening inspires and renews my faith in this world, in light of all that is going on these days – in spite of the recent hail.” A new addition in his garden this year is the installation of artificial turf grass to replace a struggling sod lawn. It saves him about four hours of work each week, which allows him to focus on the gardening that he enjoys – though he thinks it might shock the grandfather that inspired him. “Grandpa Moore taught me as a child most everything I know about gardening,” Wordinger says.

For Laura and Craig Hill, gardening is a way to share time and blend their creative energies. The couple has lived in Park Hill for 20 years. They’ve created a space that reflects, as Laura Hill says, “the intimacy and tranquil feeling of New Orleans’ hidden courtyards… I picked up my love of gardening from my mother, who was active in various garden societies when we lived in New Orleans while I was a young child.”

Lindsay Giachetti and Dan Burcaw undertook a total landscape renovation in 2014 to create an ideal urban retreat as they “enjoy having a compelling space we can share with friends and family that ties into the character and history of our home.” Designed for year-round use, their large backyard entertaining area includes a gas fire pit with ample seating, outdoor kitchen, a pergola dining area, and a hot tub. Their love for Park Hill’s rich history and timeless character is shown in traditional features, including light from lanterns and a Victorian style walkway showcasing a pedestal urn and old school sundial.

Jeanette and George Issaeff designed their back yard to reflect their East Coast roots, while their front yard reflects their love for their Colorado life. The formal back yard space includes a fire pit, eating area, water feature and a hardscape path. A European inspired orangery provides a potting area and connects the indoors with the outdoors. Hand selected rocks provide accents to the many purple and yellow shrubs and flowers. The front yard seating area is western-inspired, with flagstone and located under a large pine tree.

Nancy Brauer’s garden reflects a love of all living things with its wildlife habitat certification. To meet the criteria for certification one must demonstrate that the yard or garden provides food, water, cover and places to raise young and that sustainable garden practices are employed. The sheltered brick fenced back yard has two apple trees, two redbuds (one self seeded) and an herb garden. The water feature contains fish and water iris and provides a peaceful setting for both people and wildlife.

Meet these delightful gardeners and enjoy the beautiful June day by attending or volunteering for the Park Hill Garden Walk on Saturday, June 17. The Garden Walk lasts from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. this year.

As in years past, local artists will also be in the gardens, displaying their creations including sculpture, pastels, paper art, and paintings. Many of the artists will be working en plein air.

Tickets for the Garden Walk are on sale for $12 for adults and $10 for seniors and available at the Park Hill Branch Library, at Cake Crumbs and at Spinelli’s Market. You can also buy tickets through PayPal on parkhillgardenwalk.org. If planning ahead isn’t your cup of tea, tickets are on sale the day of the event for $15. Once you purchase tickets, you will receive a map of the featured gardens.

Proceeds benefit various programs sponsored by Greater Park Hill Community, Inc. If you are interested in volunteering, or for information about what you can do to help, contact Helen Quinn at helenpatq@yahoo.com.

Blooming Garden Sponsors

Bob Moses

Brandon J. Scott Photography

Cherry Creek Properties – Roberta Locke and Allison Nuances

City Floral Garden Center

JS Landscaping, Jose Chavez

Kentwood Properties, Anastasia Williamson

Lifescape Colorado

Porchlight Real Estate, Mary Gerwin and Shaylisa Turner

RE/MAX of Cherry Creek, Judy Wolfe and Jay Epperson

Urban Garden, Inc., Sarah Christian

Van Camp’s Quality Floors

VCA Park Hill Veterinary Medical Center

Garden Gate Sponsors

Ace on the Fax

Ivy Street Design

Park Hill Veterinary Medical Center