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Backyard Beautification

Pat Munts   /  Correspondent


After putting his tools aside for a short break, Steve Hoitink admires his backyard oasis. (Photos by Christopher Anderson/The Spokesman-Review)


If you go

What: Spokane in Bloom

"Flower Power" Garden Tour.

When: Saturday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

Where: Garden addresses: "Love, Peace and Harmony Garden," 1302 E. 15th Ave.; "Born to the Wild Garden," 2221 E. 17th Ave.; "The Purple Haze," 3008 E. 15th Ave.; "Good Vibrations Garden," 3016 E. 14th Ave.; "Rock n' Roll Forever Garden," 3127 E. 14th Ave.; "Good Morning Starshine," 2925 E. 11th Ave.; "Far Out Funky Town Garden," 3015 E. 11th Ave.

Details: Tickets - $10 available day of tour at any of the gardens or at selected nurseries in advance. For more information call (509) 535-8434

Other tour stops
Rock 'n' Roll Forever

3127 E. 14th Ave.

The original rock walls of the Rock 'n' Roll Forever Garden hold a lot of history and have many stories to tell. President Teddy Roosevelt gave a speech on top of the huge natural rock formation and then tossed silver dollar coins down to the adoring crowd. For 50 years this yard was the site of Easter egg hunts for the neighborhood kids.

Lunch will be available in this garden.

Born to be Wild

2221 E. 17th Ave.

Who says you can't have it all? The Born to be Wild Garden is the work of a dedicated professional career woman, a devoted mother and wife, and an active member of our community. Somehow she manages to find the time and energy to do it all well and her lovely, naturalized garden is a wonderful testimonial we can all admire. Be sure to check out the waterfall grotto, the cutting garden and the secret garden.

Love, Peace and Harmony

1302 E. 15th Ave.

The Love, Peace and Harmony Garden is just the type of charming yard that makes you want to relax. Full of warm and colorful flowers, it invites you to pull up a comfortable lawn chair, prop up your feet, make yourself a tall glass of iced tea, and pull out the latest romance book. Take it easy. Take a little nap. You're home.

The Purple Haze

(David and Kara Trail)

The Purple Haze Garden is a plant collector's dream that features all kinds of unusual plants you're won't see anywhere else. This young family manages to combine a love of gardening and family life in a way that will make you smile and warm your heart. The Purple Haze garden is also the May 2007 Garden of the Month.

Good Vibrations

(Steve and Joan Hoitink)

The Good Vibrations Garden has been featured in several national publications. A 40-year labor of love by a couple who have worked side-by-side to create a garden filled with woodland plants shaded by Japanese maples and other unusual trees. A beautiful naturalized stream runs through fascinating native plant specimens.

Good Morning Starshine

(Ursula and Jon Lanam )

Imagine going out to the enormous deck each morning to watch the sunrise. Then losing yourself in the sunken garden framed by towering evergreens. Wouldn't it be nice to meander down the rock pathways and putter round the raised beds built inside the original rock walls? Then, after a long day working in the garden, your reward would be to return to the deck to enjoy the stunning view and watch the sun set.

Far Out Funky Town

(Jim and Lori Keller )

Once voted the worst yard in the neighborhood, the garden has gone through a miraculous transformation in three short years. You'll be impressed as you go through the separate garden rooms and experience the wonderful plantings, waterfall, greenhouse, Japanese maples, and more than 50 ornamental grasses. The garden is a work in progress that is quickly becoming a hidden jewel in the Spokane gardening community.

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