Sunday, October 10, 2010

Central Gardens

You would find Central Gardens in Clear Lake, Iowa. This 1/2 block area used to be the site of an old brick schoolhouse. I remember its being at this site when I was young. Several years ago, they tore the school down, and the lot sat empty and dull.

Over the past few years, it's been under development as a beautiful garden site. Reiman Gardens of Ames, Iowa has been giving direction and recommendations and this garden is becoming absolutely wonderful! Want to take a tour?


Have you ever heard of RAGBRAI?
The Des Moines Register's Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa began 39 years ago. Riders of bicycles ride from the west to the east side of Iowa - the routes vary each year.

This year it went through Clear Lake. The Art Guild of Clear Lake promoted a bicycle sculpture contest. The two photos below show the promotion.



Meet Wysteria Fairy. I'm wondering if she didn't win the contest?
Wouldn't you love this in YOUR garden? (I would!) :-)

Without further adieu, I'll walk you through the gardens.


















I try to get here every time I visit my parents. There are always changes. :-)

12 comments:

Dave@TheHomeGarden said...

Beautiful! I like that water feature/stream and all the stonework around the gardens.

Rosemary said...

Lovely garden I love Wisteria lady.

Jan said...

I'm with Dave...love the water and stone features. Wish I could have those here in my own garden. Great photos of a very interesting place!

joco said...

That is a fantastic trip through great beauty. You outdid yourself with this post. Terrific pictures. I want to enlarge everyone of them.
Thanks Shady. Lots of work in there.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful gardens!!

Rose said...

What a beautiful place! And how wonderful that they turned what must have been an eyesore of a lot into such a great addition to the community. This looks like a place that everyone can enjoy.

Gail said...

It's wonderful~I ,wish more cities would develop abandoned properties like this one. They've done a marvelous job. Thank you for the tour. gail

Nutty Gnome said...

I can just imagine Wysteria Lady in your garden Shady - she'd fit in so well!

Beautiful gardens - I love the stream (surprise, surprise!)

Pat said...

Love the water features and brick work. The beds are beautiful.
Sorry I can't tell the difference between spiderwort and toad lily.

Watching tv...just got the last trapped miner up...can't help but cry.

Have a happy night.

Shady Gardener said...

Hi Patsi, Hey! Don't worry... you still have a beautiful plant and it's always nice to have an ID. :-) (I love your blue flower!)
I watched tv last night, too. Miracles still happen. :-)

ShySongbird said...

As you have just mentioned it, I too will say how wonderful it was to see the miners being rescued! I sat up watching it until after 5am on the first night!!

I have really enjoyed my walk with you Shady :) Such a lovely garden and so many lovely flowers. I would have loved to have sat on that seat and absorbed the atmosphere :) Beautiful photos which summed it all up so well.

troutbirder said...

Oh wow! Clear Lake not that far. I get my new GPS set and head out that way. :)