BISMARCK — Visitors to the children’s discovery garden at Bismarck-Henning Elementary School will see nature through the eyes of a child during the Vermilion County Master Gardeners’ annual walk on Sunday.

This fun and educational area is just one of the 10 gardens to be showcased between noon and 5 p.m. that day, even if it rains.

Sue Colby, who has taught physical education at Bismarck-Henning Elementary School for 35 years, masterminded the “garden in progress,” which started about six years ago on a converted parking lot area.

“I’m so pleased that we are included on the walk. We want to share this fun area with the public,” Colby said. “We couldn’t have done it without the wonderful support of school administration, staff, dedicated parents and grants from Keep Vermilion County Beautiful,” she added. “Having electricity and water access to this area also helps immensely.”

Colby gives special thanks to Berry’s Garden Center, Danville Gardens, and Schultz’s Nursery and Garden Center for offering their support and hands-on assistance with the garden.

Students from kindergarten through fourth grade regularly visit this natural, tranquil setting to read, talk and explore nature. Kerry Hall, school social worker, said, “This is a nice, relaxing place

where I can bring the students.”

Students grow fun plants in this special garden, including turtleheads, lamb’s ear, cherry tomatoes and “boo” pumpkins in the fall. Colorful annuals thrive in the “school of fish” raised beds, and rustic wooden barrels are brimming with marigolds, super bells and other easy-maintenance flowers.

Incoming fifth-grader Rilynn Botkin has painted a large mural on the wall to complement other colorful artwork in the area. A funky monkey topiary hangs from a tree, and four free-range turtles are fed and enjoyed by the students.

The children scramble to play checkers on the oversized game board that rests on a barrel outside an equipment shed that’s been dubbed the “general store.” There’s a spray-painted Twister game, a homemade sundial and a Dr. Seuss sitting bench. A pretend crocodile glides beneath the walking bridge as the children watch beans grow in the vegetable garden and contribute biodegradable scraps to the yard composter.

This is the perfect garden spot for Grandparents Day, the first-grade butterfly release and the Easter egg hunt, according to Colby.

Zane Reining, who will enter fifth grade in the fall, likes the archeological dig (sand table) the best. “I find something in the sand every time I dig-dinosaurs, seashells, marbles and even fossils,” he said.

Other special garden features include birdbaths, a hummingbird feeder, a rock garden and two fairy gardens. There is a variety of yard art created primarily by Colby, including a bowling ball ladybug and a stylized crab that she made with two satellite dishes, a gas stove line, two softballs for eyes, shoe stretchers for claws, and rebar for its wiry legs.

Colby and other staff members maintain the garden, but the students help pull weeds.

“I call them my weed warriors,” Colby said. “It’s easy for them to pull weeds because they’re so low to the ground —and they love the cocoa-scented mulch.

“The kids have such a good time out here,” Colby added. “Someone’s always blooming in our garden.”

Participants in the garden walk are invited to sit for a spell at tables right outside the garden and sip lemonade sold at the students’ lemonade stand. All lemonade proceeds will benefit the garden.

Visitors to the Bismarck-Henning discovery garden are asked to park at the rear of the school building on 5 W. Holloway St.

Homeowners on the annual Garden Walk include:

• Lyle and Carol Milner at 15 N. Franklin St., Bismarck — Situated on three-fourths of an acre, the Milner home features a variety of shrubs, trees, vegetables and flowers. A sunroom, swimming pool and deck are tastefully landscaped on the back property. This home and its gardens have won an award from Keep Vermilion County Beautiful for the past two years.
• Dan and Katy Dunavan at 17 N. Franklin St., Bismarck — Katy’s flower garden features colorful annuals and perennials, and Dan especially enjoys the vegetable garden. These dedicated gardeners have made many improvements to their home and landscape since moving there 42 years ago. They most recently added a new front porch and garden area for curb appeal and interest.
• Jack and Bonnie Luttrell at 19 N. Franklin St., Bismarck — Their raised flower beds hold a variety of sun-loving perennials, as well as hostas and other shade-loving plants. Impatiens dotted throughout the gardens add splashes of bright color, and a large vegetable garden will soon overflow with lush produce.
• Russ and Mary Potter at 206 W. South St., Bismarck — An authentic log cabin, built in 1998 with century-old logs — mostly from Indiana — is the focal point of this homestead. The rustic cabin was built with a half-loft and features antique furnishings. Perennial flower beds and flower boxes with colorful annuals add beautiful touches to this yard.
• Bill and Bev Madden at 206 W. Holloway St., Bismarck — Even though the Maddens have a small yard, they share a big love for gardening. They have used a cottage garden theme in the front that features an arbor that Bill constructed. The back yard includes several garden rooms, including an Irish area, a shade area, a raspberry area and an island, along with many other surprises.
• Mike and Kim Henry at 27 Woodland Hills in Bismarck — A master bedroom addition in 1998 was all the inspiration the Henrys needed to create architectural and tiered gardens that provide beauty and enjoyment during all four seasons. Variegated foliage adds color and texture to the area until the summer colors show. Perennial beds, a water garden, and cozy patios complete the landscape.
• Jenny Hanrahan at 110 Devonshire, Danville — Master Gardener intern Jenny Hanrahan believes gardens should resemble a fireworks display, with bursts of color, movement and excitement. The year-round floral show begins with spring-blooming bulbs, perennials, flowering trees, shrubs, vegetables and herbs. Other features include dwarf apple trees, woodland plants, and a gated rose and perennial garden. In August, Jenny marvels at her fig tree that traditionally produces dark purple figs. She grew this tree from cuttings that came from her father’s tree.
• Simon and Shirley Leung at 3635 Bayview Dr., Danville — A waterfall that cascades into a koi and goldfish pond gives this garden an Asian ambiance. Adding to the pond’s beauty is a four-tiered fountain filled with creeping phlox, and a hand-blown gazing ball on a pedestal. A cobblestone path leads across the yard to trellises and an archway filled with clematis. Sculptured shrubs and bushes outline the sidewalk and home, and colorful perennials complete the landscape.
• Rino and Maria Torres at 505½ Wilkin, Danville — The Torres’ gardens demonstrate their love of all plants, especially those reminiscent of their Filipino heritage. Another reminder of their homeland is a huge white oak tree that’s surrounded by a bed of red and white impatiens and highlighted with pink flamingos and an artificial palm tree with miniature lights. The back yard reveals a Filipino vegetable garden and the national flower of the Philippines, the sweet-smelling jasmine. In 2009 Rino and Maria were awarded the grand prize in the Make It Bloom contest for the category “I Did It My Way.”
  
  

  Ticket info
  
  Advance tickets cost $8 and can be purchased at the Vermilion Count Extension Office or from any Master Gardener.
  
  Tickets also are available from many local garden centers, including Flowers and Gifts by Molly Culbert in Hoopeston, Big R in both Tilton and Danville, and at these other Danville locations: Bob’s Market, Berry’s Garden Center, Schultz Nursery and Garden Center, Danville Gardens, and Blossom Hill Florist.
  
  Tickets, $10, can be purchased at the garden sites on the day of the tour.
  
  For more information contact the extension office at 442-8615.