Cool weather doesn't hurt wildflowers in area tour

About 50 Chateau Girardeau residents and community members came out Sunday to see Big Daddy and the Wild Spring Beauties.

What sounds like a rock band was actually two of the many varieties of plants blooming along the Chateau Wildflowers Trail. Master gardeners Betsy Kunz and Ruth Illers of Jackson gave tours of the trail to groups of about five each during the fourth annual event.

"The trail gives seniors a quiet place to get away from everything," Illers said.

"It's beautiful and natural," added Kunz.

The brisk breeze with temperatures in the 50s may have deterred some walkers from attending, but turnout was good, said Marge Loiseau-Bauerle, a Chateau Girardeau resident and master gardener.

The cold snap over the weekend hadn't affected the flowers much.

"The flowers are continuing to come up. The ones that have bloomed closed early, but they'll open back up," Loiseau-Bauerle said. "Wildflowers are used to living in the forest with no protection. They're sturdy."Cape Girardeau resident Sue Evitts, a rose gardener herself, enjoyed the tour.

"I think it's wonderful and important to the community," she said. "I'm amazed at how much work has gone into it."

Evitts and others were able to see the trail's prized azalea bushes, donated by Carl and Mettie Penzel of Daisy, Mo. Later residents of Chateau Girardeau, the couple gave about 150 native azaleas. The fuchsia and white flowers were in full bloom Sunday, the reason for the timing of the tour.

Loiseau-Bauerle created the trail in 1996. With private donations of money and labor, she was able to transform the woods behind Chateau Girardeau into a 780-foot nature trail, complete with signs labeling irises, wild ginger, may apple and other varieties of flowers and trees.

A handicapped trail was added later, and a memorial garden for residents who wish to honor loved ones is in the works.

Loiseau-Bauerle said she wanted to give something to the residents of Chateau Girardeau.

"I've hiked all over the world, at the Appalachian Trail, Australia and England. When I got here I put on my hiking boots, came out into these woods, and saw the wildflowers. I decided the residents needed a trail so everyone could enjoy them," she said.

"Most of us have been gardeners, and we can come here to see nature, exercise and feel close to God."

Tours will continue to be given monthly at the Chateau Wildflowers Trail for those Chateau Girardeau residents in the assisted living or health-care units. Groups may call Loiseau-Bauerle at 335-1281 to set up a special tour.

nstanfield@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 127