Paradise Found

Once a year, a group of dedicated and determined women, host their annual fund raiser for the organization they founded, Hands of Hope.

This local group supports the poorest of women and children in Africa, building wells for clean drinking water, schools, clinics, and so much more. A real grass roots effort that has successfully made a difference. The main fund raiser is a garden event at the founder, Vicki Wauterlek's home and two other gardens in Barrington Hills, Illinois. As a part of their 'French Market', we sold our wares, in this amazing event.

Ready to be inspired?

Two guest cottages reside on the property. The main cottage is surrounded by apple espalier trees, freestanding, creating a living fence

The other cottage is appropriately clothed in roses and cottage ramblings

Let's head towards the vegetable garden

At the entrance we are greeted with a collection of potted loveliness. (sorry, a glaringly sunny day is difficult to photograph)

Yes, that is a growing pineapple!

The vegetable garden entrance

Be-still my heart!

 There are 53 tomato plants alone

Within the veggie garden is an abundant cutting garden

We make our way towards the pool

Yes, those are trees growing in those pots

A grand pergola in a charming color

Floating pods.......

Opposite the pergola resides this masterpiece. Can you see the Wisteria encrusted arch in the background? Elements of the boxwood undulations repeat lines in the pergola

Adore the slate chipped walks

Looking back at the pool side of the entrance are cleverly potted chartreuse spruces

The pergola and it's surrounding gardens up close

Difficult to photograph, take note of the DOUBLE hanging baskets over a gently bubbling pot

Have you ever seen this plant, a chocolate Cosmo?! Difficult to germinate, one will rarely see this available at the nurseries. So aptly named as up close one gets a waft of sweet chocolate

As we wander towards the estate, via grand woods and majestic oaks, we stopped in our tracks

MASSIVE hanging baskets floating among the Oaks! Maybe 4' in diameter, and each different, was a spectacle to behold.

See how the mass of Cleome is dwarfed in this basket?!

A Hosta woodland with spent giant Allium heads popping through. The real creativity? The Allium heads were spray painted white for an etherial glow! My home and gardens are being photographed next weekend for a local magazine, I am stealing this idea!

Hope you enjoyed, this "snapshot" of loveliness, yes, there was much more than I shared here.

If you would like to learn more about Hands of Hope, or offer a donation, go to their website.  

100% of the donations are for those in need

The power of women........isn't it amazing?

Note; these gardens are maintained by Horticultural Associates, in Waukegan, Il.

Fondly,

Debra