By Cindy Hadish/Homegrown Iowan What started as a hobby has grown into something much more for Mary and Brian Grimm. “I’d call it an addiction,” Mary said of the couple’s 700 different varieties of peonies planted at their acreage in rural Lamont, in northeastern Iowa. When they relocated from Strawberry Point in 2011, the Grimms […]
You are browsing archives for
Tag: gardens
Prepare for first frost of fall this wee...
If your Iowa garden hasn’t already been hit by frost this season, it more than likely will this week. Late October is already past the average first frost date for fall in most parts of Iowa, so it should come as no surprise. The National Weather Service is forecasting much colder temperatures this Tuesday, Oct. […]
Growing history in South Amana, Iowa
By Cindy Hadish/for Iowa Gardener SOUTH AMANA – Visitors to Cottage-in-the-Meadow Gardens can take a step back in time. A 1900 brick house anchors the site in South Amana, one of the seven Amana villages in Eastern Iowa, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Cottage-in-the-Meadow in itself is a rarity, with a listing […]
Iowa couple grow “hosta heaven”
By Cindy Hadish/for Iowa Gardener Starting with one plant division from a friend, the gardens of Nancy and Jay McWherter have grown to include an impressive collection of more than 1,000 varieties of hosta, along with tropical plants and more. Variegated hosta, such as ‘Sagae,’ blues like ‘Blue Mammoth,’ and large-leaf cultivars including ‘Sum and […]
Plans set for open gardens in Cedar Rapi...
If you’re in the Cedar Rapids or Iowa City areas on Sunday, June 26, you have great opportunities during two free events to see lovely gardens and learn more about the project at the historic Johnson County Poor Farm. In Cedar Rapids, Wanda Lunn, 526 Bezdek Drive NW, is opening her gardens to the public […]
Noelridge takes first in international g...
CEDAR RAPIDS – The Noelridge Park Gardens won first place in the All-America Selections Landscape Design Contest, organizers announced. Noelridge took top honors this year for gardens with 10,000 to 100,000 visitors, after achieving second place in 2014 in the category for under 10,000 visitors.
Free plant cutting demonstrations offere...
CEDAR RAPIDS – The gardens at Noelridge Park have been the site of some really incredible events this summer, with more scheduled for the fall. Free plant cutting demonstrations are the latest activities, with three dates scheduled: Sept. 17, 24 and Oct. 1, all beginning at 9 a.m.
Capturing a midsummer night’s garden at
CEDAR RAPIDS – It was a picture-perfect night Wednesday at the Noelridge Park gardens. As part of its season of “Art in the Park,” members of the Linn Area Photo Club and Friends of Noelridge photographers offered a photography night at the gardens, complete with picture frames to highlight various vignettes. “Art in the Park” […]
Historic homes and gardens in Iowa City ...
IOWA CITY – If you’ve never seen a Moffitt cottage, you have a wonderful opportunity coming up this Sunday, May 31. Seven historic Moffitt homes, as well as other houses and gardens, will be featured on a walking tour sponsored by Friends of Historic Preservation, in partnership with the Lucas Farms Neighborhood Association. Moffitt cottages […]
A glimpse at the work of Feed Iowa First...
Spring is a busy time, particularly for gardeners. Now, just imagine your garden was not only at your home, but at 23 different sites. Sonia Kendrick might feel that way as she runs between the gardens she oversees for Feed Iowa First. I’ve written about Sonia, an Afghanistan war veteran, several times, beginning when she […]