The new “pondless” waterfall
WINNETKA – For more than sixty years, Hadley Institute for the Blind and Visually Impaired has been the beneficiary of the Garden Guild Winnetka’s generosity. On June 8, the organization dedicated their latest gift, a “pondless” waterfall located in the tree-lined southeast corner of the garden.
This lovely water feature is surrounded by shade-loving plants that will naturalize including velvet–leafed heuchera villosa, variegated Solomon’s Seal and bright yellow celandine poppies. Also new are two delightful wind chimes donated by Regas Chefas and Kathleen Tennison-Chefas of Gethsemane Garden Center. Nearly 20 Guild members attended the waterfall dedication followed by a board meeting in the garden.
John Eskandari, a horticulturalist, arborist and instructor at the Chicago Botanic Garden who is now overseeing Hadley’s sensory garden, briefed attendees on recent added sensory features for fragrance, touch, sound as well as sight. Tom Weaver, another Chicago Botanic Garden horticulturalist was unable to attend, but is part of the improvement process to Hadley’s garden. Plants that are both fragrant and tactile include lavender, curry, creeping thyme, jasmine, velvet leafed Cuban oregano and the purple fragrant-leafed herb perilla. More tactile plants include variegated dianella, with soft airy flowers, giant papyrus and yellow acorus with a delicate grassy edge. Orange lantana with its citrus-like fragrance and purple angelonia provide high color contrast for low vision visitors.
The right side of the lower garden region is designed to appeal to songbirds with feeders and water. The area also includes a hanging basket of bright red begonias to attract hummingbirds. The left side of the lower garden, when developed, will become an inviting area for butterflies.
Submitted by Hadley Institute for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Winnetka Garden Guild members with John Eskandari
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