Ruth Van De Weert of Point Pleasant Drive has been recognized as June 2019 Selection of the Month by The Garden Club at Palm Coast. She and her late husband, Cornelius, bought the three Lots in 1982, built the house in 1986, rented it out until they moved from New York to Palm Coast in 2014. They had lived on a dairy farm and planted many of the plants and trees prior to moving in while visiting family in Florida. The have a plaque on the stone windmills with their farm name of Laroedale Farm.
Mr. Van De Weert made all the beautiful windmills and two have working water wheels. He made smaller ones throughout the property from bicycle wheels and they all work as well. He also made black and white cow props out of cement and several barn style bird houses and a barn mailbox. He was always making something wonderful for the yard.
Mrs. Van De Weert takes care of this big property along with a neighbor that gives her a hand whenever needed. Everywhere you look you see beautiful flowers such as Mandevilla, yellow and purple roses, blue Salvias, pink and white Vincas, red and yellow Canna Lilies, red and white pink- striped Amaryllis, Petunias, Sunflowers, white Easter Lilies, mixed Zinnias, various bushes and several fruit trees.
The tranquil back yard setting with only sounds of birds and soothing water sounds from the water wheel windmill in an island with several flowering plants, holly bush, Bush Daisy, yellow, orange and purple Mums and purple white-striped Petunias. There is a large area approx. 12 x 12 entirely full of many flowers that come back year after year. Mrs. Van De Weert has so many beautiful flowers throughout that she once promised her church for one year she would make them an arrangement weekly and she kept her promise!
There is also a walkover bridge with a covered arch of sweet smelling Jasmine which leads you into their next lot with a nice windmill in the distance and shaded trees. These gardens have many colors to offer and enjoy year round and definitely has charm and curb appeal.
Submitted by Nancy Iandoli
Selection of the Month Committee
The color of the Delasperma cooperi, in the family of Ice plants, jumps right at you.
The first large group of pink flowers was stunning. They look like gladiolus, but they are different from the familiar kind.
In the center of the park is a very old Moreton Bay Fig (Ficus Macrophylla). The dimensions of the roots really show next to the little girl.
Stepping off the ship one cannot miss this memorial.
The flowers are gigantic.
The Propagation Guild took a tour of Green Isle Gardens, a wholesale nursery which specializes in Florida natives. Located on 8 acres in Groveland, it features more than 150 species of natives with a focus on upland species. The plants are grown without pesticides.
Marc Godts, who runs the nursery and is a horticulturist and designer, gave a tour of the propagation greenhouse and explained how they are growing endangered plants for Bok Tower Gardens for their endangered plant garden.
After eating a bag lunch, members of the Guild loaded up their cars with wonderful natives to add to their gardens.
You could also pick your own blueberries which some people took advantage of and shared the delicious fruit! It was another great educational trip.