A memorable bus trip to the gardens in St. Cloud, August 3, 2002

Elena Williams

Yes, it rained that day, but the weather did not dampen the spirits of the 35 people from TCRC and the Lake Superior Rose Society who traveled in the bus nicknamed "the Minnesota Ark." Gardeners appreciate water, right? Torrential rain brought back memories of the 1997 dinner at the Minneapolis ARS National Convention dinner at the Arboretum.

Our tour started at the Munsinger and Clemens gardens, where volunteers from the Botanical Society guided our groups thought the Formal Gardens that were designed and built by staff and youth laborers in 1986. The Virginia Clemens Rose garden was endowed as a gift for the wife of Bill Clemens in 1990. Several other areas have been added including a White Garden with more than 65 named varieties of annuals and perennials. The White Garden was first planted in 1994 and was inspired by the White Garden at Sissinghurst Castle in Kent England. Down a hill and across a street, the Munsinger Garden has been on the lower east bank of the Mississippi River since the 1880s. It is a neighborhood park/garden owned by the city.

Lunchtime arrived as the clouds thickened and "the Ark" was a welcomed refuge. The first stop after lunch was the delightful gardens at the St. Cloud Children's home. (Dave Morreim, who volunteers to work with the children, will be our speaker for the September TCRC meeting.) The stars of the day were the young gardener/tour guides who reside at the home. They were VERY proud of their efforts with both flowers and vegetables and wanted to share all their knowledge with the visitors. In addition to a large formal garden, each resident/student has a 5 by 5 ft. plot where they decide what to grow and are responsible for tending the plants. Penny Nickles-Larkin commented that "the Children's Home was inspirational and the children really tugged at your heart strings. Penny also recommends that the club should consider sponsoring roses for the garden."

By the time the tour got to Deb Keiser's home, it was pouring. The weather was unfortunate because we all know the effort that goes into preparing for a busload of visitors to the home garden. Deb is the President of the St. Cloud Rose Society and is known for growing award winning miniature roses.

Christine Ziebold, "the barefoot gardener" shared her unbounded enthusiasm at every stop.

The last stop on the trip was a visit to the home and gardens of Ron and Laurel Geiselhart on the shores of Grand Lake. Umbrellas in hand, we admired many roses as we dashed to a canopy covered area for hot coffee and treats. Ron said they received more than 2 inches of rain before we arrived. Soon it sounded like fireworks coming from above and we quickly noticed half-inch hail dotting the nearby grass. Laurel is a Minnesota Master Gardener and designed a beautiful, raised bed rose garden to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary a few years ago. When we finally retreated to the bus, Ron graciously handed out towels!

Unnamed TCRC Board members at the front of the bus, have decided that Christine Ziebold and Thyme Thelen deserve the "most cheerful under adversity" award and that all who attended this trip have passed the "dedicated gardener's test!"