How to go
What: The Secret Gardens of Bellbrook Tour
Where: Starts at Bellbrook Sugarcreek Park District, 2751 Washington Mill Road, Bellbrook
When: Noon-4 p.m. Sunday, July 17
Cost: Free
More info: 937-848-3535 or www.bellbrooksugarcreekparks.org
Volunteer master gardener Jane Worth is proud of a little-known patch of land in Bellbrook that encourages butterflies to gather. It’s no wonder then that the Butterfly Garden at Petrikis Park is on The Secret Gardens of Bellbrook Tour this Sunday, July 17. It was installed in 2010.
“People pass by on (Ohio) 725 and they can kind of peek in, but they are going so fast they don’t know what it is,” said master gardener Jane Worth, who’s been volunteering at the park this past year.
Worth lives just two blocks away from the park in Bellbrook. But she usually has to drive there, as she’s hauling a bunch of tools. She estimates she’s put in about 50 hours so far this season.
“We have as many native plants as possible, like cone flowers, yellow coreopsis and asters,” said Worth. “This milkweed right here is very important because it is the larvae host plant for monarchs. We also have orange butterfly weed, and swamp milkweed that the caterpillars love to eat.”
While we were there, the bees were buzzing around the tall, spiked red and purple Beebalm. The garden also boasts butterfly bushes which are not native. An interesting aspect of the garden are annuals planted in the shape of a butterfly, planted by Vickie Carter. Arborvitae trees create a nice border in the back of the garden.
In addition to Petrikis Park, the Bellbrook Sugarcreek Park District’s other gardens on the tour include the Rock Garden and Three Season Perennial Garden at Park District Headquarters, Prairie Restoration area and Tree Erosion Mitigation at Sweet Arrow Reserve, and the Shade Garden at Bellbrock Park. Another Greene County Master Gardener assisting on the tour is Kathy Gall.
“What I love about gardening is trying to find plants that work in a certain area; getting the right plant for the right place,” said Gall, a six-year master gardener who lives in Bellbrook.
Learn about native plants, garden design, composting, succulents, reforestation, composting and other gardening topics. Master gardeners will be present at each site to answer questions. Enjoy a raffle and refreshments at the Bellbrock Park Gazebo at 57 N. Main St. in Bellbrook.
“We are very excited to highlight the hard work the master gardeners have done over the years in our parks,” said Alison Jenks-Pifer, Bellbrook Sugarcreek Park District program supervisor. “We have been holding a lecture garden series for the last few years, but this summer the tour will allow both organizations to teach (with) hands on learning and observation.”
Those who wish to go on the tour are encouraged to go online to www.bellbrooksugarcreekparks.org to register and also be apprised of any tour updates.
About the Author