LADYBUG SAYS ... `PILGRIMAGE' TO AREA GARDENS REVIVES COMMUNITY TRADITION

Do you recall when a big spring-summer event was the annual Pilgrimage of the Cape Girardeau garden clubs, and when local residents opened their homes and gardens for a tour?

These were so popular that residents waited anxiously each year for the announcement of places to be visited. These tours went by the wayside, but four years ago the Lutheran Family and Children's Services revived the visits, and on Sunday, June 30, will hold their tour from 1 to 5 p.m.

They have arranged a varied and interesting tour of homes and gardens. These include the garden of Dr. and Mrs. Michael Brown, 4 Dumaine; Stone Ridge, off Route 319, the home and garden of Mr. and Mrs. David Blattner; the home and garden of Mr. and Mrs. Norman Anderson, 1109 Patricia; the home and garden of Mr. and Mrs. Lyle Davis, 1223 Rockwood and the home of Mr. and Mrs. Don Thomasson, 701 Bellevue.

There also will be a dessert buffet on Saturday, June 29, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the home of Dr. and Mrs. Jerry Kinder on Route 2. Cost of the house tour on Sunday is $7, and the dessert buffet on Saturday night and the tour on Sunday are $12.50. Tickets may be purchased at the office of the Lutheran Family and Children's Service at 833 Broadway or at any of the places on the tour. Having taken a preview of the tour, I can say it will be worth the several hours to complete if one visits all of the gardens.

When Mike and Diane Brown bought their home in 1984 and the three-acre lot behind two years later, they did not know that the wooded lot contained five beautifully built stone terraces, possibly constructed by a former owner, the late Dr. Rusby Seabaugh. The Browns have fascinating plans for this area, a perennial garden.

Four years ago they began clearing of the densely wooded acres, which consisted of briars, brambles, overgrown shrubs, poison ivy and many old and over-grown trees. Quantities of peat moss and good dirt was hauled in, and an underground watering system was installed, making planting areas ready.

Now, after two years of developing, they have planted more than 7,000 plants, including ground covers of ivy, a juga, vinca minor, pachysandra and a variety of grasses. More than 400 hostas of many varieties have been planted, including 500 azaleas, and many other rare and unusual plants which Dr. Brown has studied and knows the ideal growing conditions. A clearing has been made where a new bed of daylilies can have maximum sunshine. At another point soft pink and white tasseled plumage of astilbe stands out among the green foliage background.

Their grounds also include a swimming pool, a colorful flower bordered patio, a bridge and well constructed boardwalks into every nook and corner of this shade, woodsy garden where natural trees have been left and additional ones, including several varieties of dogwood, have been planted.

Many rare and unusual plants can be found here, including a climbing hydrangea that could reach a height of 60 feet, dwarf blue spruce, a Japanese creape myrtle, brilliant coral hibiscus in planters, scarlet red honeysuckles and another unusual vine, a Dutchman's pipe.

You will have to see this new garden to believe it, and hear the plans for continual development. It reminded me so much of Minter Garden in Chilliwack, British Columbia, where Brian Minter had the same type of rugged terrain and developed it into a 27-acre display show garden, with clearings and a large variety of plantings to attract visitors each year.

Stone Ridge is the rural home of David and Noretta Blattner, located about four miles west of I-55 on Route K, and then about one mile on Route 319. Large stone pillars and ornamental grass mark the entrance to their lovely country home on top of a hill with the most spectacular natural setting overlooking farms and meadows for miles away.

Their four-level home includes a solarium, where Noretta grows beautiful plants for the house and enjoys the plants year around. Outside, she has just begun developing the landscaping since they have lived there only more than a year since the house was four years in construction.

They have great plans for the development which all takes time. A small rock garden at the edge of the yard has been planted with annuals, and she has started a perennial garden near the woods, where she has the best of both worlds. Part of it is shady and the other portion gets plenty of sunshine.

Other future plans include a fern border on the north side of the house, an herb garden, and naturalization of spring flowering bulbs down a hillside in the woods. Also, they plan to have azaleas and rhododendron in this natural setting.

When Norman and Wanda Anderson chose the spot for their home at 1109 Patricia, it was mostly because of the spectacular view of the west part of the city, from the back. Their development shows the possibilities of developing a slanting lot.

There is a swimming pool, gazebo, a lily pond, a new deck, planted with a wisteria arbor, and a new lighting system. The most impressive part of this garden is the tidiness and neatness of all the additions to their home and the tender care given to the plantings.

At the time the home of Lyle and Robin Davis was built at 1223 Brookwood, it was the only house on that side of the street. It was the home of Mr. and Mrs. Charles G. Wilson, built in 1934. Robin has made the most of the shady yard and placed plantings on the front that do well, including the small colorful pink and white hostas begonias and azaleas that enhance the area. An inviting entrance has been created by an attractive wreath and two hanging ferns. What could be more appropriate for a west slope than the daylilies planted there?

Don and Caroline Thomasson have spent much time and effort in beautifying the busy southwest corner at Bellevue and Sprigg Streets where they reside.

Basically, their yard is a rose garden where 350 choice roses grow on the Bellevue street side. Also, on the intersection position, a bed of miniature roses thrive. There are plantings of tuberous begonias in a window box and some dianthus and calendula in the garden area, and Martha Washington Geraniums are the planted feature of the new deck of their home.

In this front of their home there are foundation plantings, azaleas and many hostas. There are also interesting plantings suitable to growing in the shade in the corner of Sprigg. In early spring this entire yard is ablaze with early spring flowering bulbs of daffodils and tulips. Their beautification does not stop with their own yard. On the parkway along Bellevue and on both sides of the street they have planted dogwood and flowering crab trees.

Recently they purchased the back lot adjoining their home. It is their plans to raze the old brick home at 229 Sprigg, and extend their project of beautification of this busy area.

Choice gardens of Cape Girardeau will be on tour this weekend.