Wasson gardens make major changes
Preservation Society's
Garden Tour, 1-5 p.m.
Sat., Sun., June 28-29
$7, Community Room
By CYNTHIA AUKERMAN
News-Gazette reporter
Dan and Carol Wasson's home was on the Preservation Society's garden tour several years ago, and now they are ready to show the growth and changes that have occurred on their five acres. The changes include a new two-story deck, Dan's "party" garage, and extensive hardscaping connecting various outdoor rooms.
"We might be close to being done," Dan says. But he quickly adds, "As soon as we come up with a design for the back . . ."
The pavers and pillars connect the deck area through one garden room to another to the hardscaped area that is the scene of enthusiastic and popular twice-a-year washer toss tournaments. There are four pits open for the washer activity, which the Wassons describe as "sort of like horseshoes." People come from near and far for the tournaments.
Beyond the washer pits - which are located in their own elegant garden room - is the pond that is home to 150 koi. Dan has become quite an expert in koi and ponds and has some fish that he started with 10 years ago. When the whole school gathers to be fed, the result is a rippling flash of color and splashing.
The Wasson property is a demonstration plot for Wasson's Nursery, so visitors won't be surprised to learn that the five acres of lawn and landscaping includes the use of as many as 400 flats of annuals. One tree is surrounded by 22 flats of bronze leaf begonia.
Yet the Wassons swear they have cut back on the numbers of annuals they use, mainly because of the extensive care such plantings require. Randy Mayfield and Lynn Patterson work on the property, constantly weeding, deadheading and fertilizing.
Carol's large cutting garden has totally filled in with all kinds of flowers, and the whole setting features huge containers filled with vibrant and unusual color combinations. She will have her artist's studio open during garden tour, and she will be offering paintings, both framed and unframed, at discounted prices, with 50 percent of the proceeds donated to the Preservation Society.
In case visitors should feel the urge to add more color in their own yards, the Wassons say the wave petunias are good to plant even into mid-July. They grow so fast that gardeners getting a late start can still enjoy months of huge color bursts. Wasson's Nursery still has wave petunias for sale, and Dan especially likes the dark and light blue combinations with the bright magenta.
Garden tourists should park in the south service drive, which goes right to the back of the property, close to the features. Golf cart rides will be available for those who want a motorized tour. There is seating all over the property, and the bathroom in the "party" garage will be open.
