Marion library to benefit from garden tour Saturday

The sixth annual Flowers in the Flint Hills Garden Tour will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 27.

The 2015 tour, which benefits the Marion City Library, includes five gardens in rural and city locations, including one at Marion County Park and Lake.

Tickets are $5 and can be obtained at the library, located in Marion?s restored Santa Fe Railroad Station, two blocks off Main Street, directly behind the Marion County Courthouse.

A selection of bonsai trees, from the collection of City Commissioner Jerry Dieter, will be on display at the library. Floral art created by his wife, Lenore, will accompany the display.

? Byers, 1950 230th Follow the tour map and turn at the stone cairn at the property entrance of Les and Pam Byer. Plan enough time to see the entire five acres of the Byer gardens. Carts are on hand to give visitors lifts.

The garden that the Byers enjoy from the front deck contains roses, larkspur, iris, peonies, columbine and allium. Clematis, honeysuckle, ornamental grasses and a quince tree surround the house. Lilacs abound.

The entire property is protected by a windbreak of pines and hardwood trees. The orchards bear peach, sour and sweet cherries, plums, apricots and pears.

? Ewerts, 318 E. Main St. Easiest parking for the home of Gary and Elaine Ewert is at nearby Marion High School. Step around the house for a garden for all the senses?roses, wisteria, lilac and varieties of mint. Potted herbs thrive on the dining deck. Two fountains share a garden room.

? Holters, 15 Back Bay. The home of Roger and Janelle Holter is located at Marion County Park and Lake. The lawn boasts an in-ground bubble fountain, garden ornaments and a multitude of flowers.

An old wicker chair serves as a planter. The limestone edgers and paving stone are among items the Holters have collected and used in landscaping.

? Kirkpatricks, 1426 Sunflower. Duane and Lori Kirkpatrick welcome visitors to the family farm where they?ll see the vintage silo and an oversize quilt block on the barn.

Old-fashioned favorites typical of cottage gardens abound?peonies, coneflowers, snap dragons, wild violets and hollyhocks. Shrubs include crepe myrtle and lilacs.

? Nelsons, 1832 140th The favorite hideaways of Dwight and Julie Nelson family are seldom seen by the public.

Adjacent to the house is a sheltered two-level deck that includes a limestone waterfall and a pond where goldfish bask. Julie?s grandfather Hett ?witched? for water using a peach tree branch, and the well that was subsequently dug has never gone dry.

For more information about the tour, contact the Marion City Library at 620-382-2442.

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