Join Us for the 2020 Garden Bloggers Fling

Toronto 2015: I'm in there somewhere, along with all my new friends, now dear friends for several years.

I remember it well: my first Garden Bloggers Fling. It was in Toronto, Ontario, in June 2015. My husband and I drove there and made a little vacation of it.

I was a little nervous about meeting garden bloggers that I'd followed for several years. Many of them seemed larger than life, and I thought maybe I was out of my league. I worried that I'd feel like an outsider.

Turns out, I was wrong in so many ways. The Fling "family" welcomed me with open arms. It was like discovering my tribe--folks who enjoyed plants, gardening, touring gardens, traveling, making new friends, and--as I learned in subsequent years--reconnecting with old friends. And there were other newbies there, too, as there are every year (including this one).

I'm posting about this because this year the Fling will be in Madison, Wisconsin, (June 18-21) and I'm on the planning committee. Even though we still have so much preparation ahead of us, it's all coming together, and it's really going to be a fun Fling! I'll be busy, busy, busy for the next few months and also during the Fling, but I'm really looking forward to it.

Registration is now open!

Visit this link to learn more: gardenbloggersfling.blogspot.com. If you're thinking about attending, but you're a little hesitant like I was, rest assured--the Fling "family" is friendly and fun. And this is going to be another great Garden Bloggers Fling!

Imagine a Garden Framed by a Prairie

The garden of Linda Grosz, in Middleton, Wisconsin, is truly a special place. A ring of native prairie--planted from seed 20 years ago--surrounds her 1.75-acre property, acting as a pollinator haven, a native wildflower showcase, and a "sponge" for rainwater runoff. The garden actually appears much larger, with a "borrowed view" of a golf course beyond.

The sights, sounds, and scents are truly a feast for the senses. Butterflies, bees, and other pollinators are plentiful and active. Monarda, Silphiums, Helianthus, Ratibida, Asclepias, and many other genera happily bloom side-by-side.

















Linda was kind enough to let me tour her garden twice this summer--the prairie was stunning both times, with different blooms on display. In late July, I was fortunate to see the native Turk's Cap Lilies (Lilium superbum) in full bloom.







In addition to the ring of prairie, Linda's garden offers other magical features, including her fairy garden, full of tiny props and tiny plants.



These miniature Hostas will always be just the right size for the fairy garden.



At the same time, an impressive collection of larger Hostas grace other areas of her garden.





A stream with waterfalls provides naturalistic movement.



Linda is very creative with plantings along a rocky berm.



And in her potted arrangements.





Of course, any garden with a pond full of blooming Water Lilies is truly special.



From Linda's elevated deck, you get a nice view of the full effect: large Willows and other trees, the prairie ring, stream, side gardens, pond, sitting areas, and more.



Another viewpoint...



And yet another.

This is a special place. Thank you, Linda, for your hospitality and for sharing your garden.

(This is one of many amazing gardens that will be included in next June's Madison-area Garden Bloggers Fling. For updates on this and other featured gardens and events, visit gardenbloggersfling.blogspot.com in the months ahead!)