Picnic Point and Neighborhood Gardens

 Yesterday my friend David and I walked Picnic Point as planned. Its been some time since I walked this peninsula that juts into Lake Mendota and is part of the UW Madison Campus. The changes made to the land area making up the eastern tip pleased and amazed me. The thick under brush is removed revealing spectacular views of the lake. We passed an inviting council ring with a fire pit as we made our way to steps made of limestone leading down to a viewing area at lake level.

At lake level we were greeted by a young woman and her two male companions.  The young woman pointed out three baby ducks resting on a moss covered rock, obviously enjoying the summer sunshine. Flanking the ducklings and standing guard were two female ducks and a male. Together the three formed a protective triangle with the babies in the middle of the triangle.  The young woman remarked that one of the females was the aunt. David responded that perhaps this is a lesbian couple and their family. She replied that the male was the sperm donor.  We all laughed while we enjoyed our brief encounter on a warm early summer day.

The lake lazily lapped up against the shore as David and I found a comfortable rock and settled in for a talk.

Flower Box Full of Pansies

Now for pictures of neighborhood gardens.  Prospect Gardens is situated in neighborhoods with a variety of beautiful gardens. Here's a small sample starting with two pictures of Katie's shade garden that covers her front yard. Attached to the house and overlooking the garden is a flower box full of pansies. The pansies are still fresh and colorful, protected form the sudden summer like temperatures.  Katie also has a spectacular backyard garden and another garden that flanks the northside of the house.

Katie's Shade Garden

 

Diane's Garden

Next to Katie's house is Diane's gardens. The picture shows a portion of the side yard and its gardens. Diane is a dedicated garden. Her husband Ken is in charge of assisting Diane in mulching. You will recognize Diane by her deep laughter.

The couple tore apart the side yard, removing the lawn. They then created beds interspersed among brick spaces and walkways, which I think Diane and Ken laid. A brown picket fence surrounds the garden.  Their house is an English Tudor and with it's surrounding gardens looks like a picture from Better Homes and Gardens.  Perhaps I should contact the magazine.

A few years ago we transplanted blue indigo from Diane's gardens to the Prospect Garden. We discovered that blue indigo has a tough fibrous roots system that finally yielded when I took an ax to break up the roots.

I learned later that successfully transplanting false indigo through roots is nearly impossible. All three transplanted clumps survived and now are the size of the parent plants. These are some tough and hearty plants that add a beautiful blue to Prospect Gardens during the spring. Their blooms are now starting to fade. 

Janice's Rain Garden

Several years ago our streets underwent major improvements, including new sewer, curbs and gutters and sidewalks.  If there was enough space on your terrace, the city provided some funds for developing rain gardens.

This is Janice's rain garden.  Janice also has a beautiful backyard garden.  A few years ago we transplanted flowers from the rain garden to the Prospect Gardens. I can't recall the species and I think they are in the daisy family: tall  with yellow flowers that are thriving while offering a splash of yellow in summer to the Prospect Gardens.

Janice also has donated butterfly weed. For several years, this flashy orange beauty graced Prospect Gardens. Only a few survived this last winter.

Our Rose Bush

Gardens grace the  front of our house and in the backyard. Pictured is a shrub rose. This beauty is definitely on steroids. Every year I cut it back, preventing this potential giant from covering the roof of our neighbor's garage.

As the picture suggests the gardens in the backyard circle the lot and our on all three sides. When we purchased our house in 1986, the gardens were only about two feet deep and  ran along  two sides plus a fern garden along the garage. Needless to say, the gardens have expanded as the years have slipped by.

April's Garden

Our last featured garden is about three quarters of a block west  of Prospect Gardens and also borders the path. It's April's garden and is located in the Regent Neighborhood.. The beautiful garden blooms the entire season, starting with crocuses and daffodils.  The art work of April's husband graces this graceful and serene garden.  An old fashioned platform swing, seating at least four, is in the top area of the garden.

I have enjoyed talking with April as we gently swayed on the swing. April, before she retired, was the librarian at our daughter Emily's elementary school. I volunteered a lot at the school as Emily completed the third through fifth years. I met April when Emily was in the third grade.

There are other beautiful gardens in the two neighborhoods. This is just a small sample and indicative of how we love our close westside neighborhoods.