Oak Harbor's Garden Tour to take place June 28

Saturday’s 10th annual Garden Tour and Tea, presented by the Oak Harbor Civic Garden Club, will feature water installations, orchards, sculptures and masterful landscaping at seven local homes.

Beginning at 10 a.m. June 28, visitors can drive to “garden one” at 1315 Monroe Landing Road. The house is owned by Kellie Hampton and was built in 1955 by Commander Robert Tull. Today, it is an adult family care facility.

Hampton recently made cobble stones out of a template, which lead to the side yard and an apple and pear orchard.

“When I first bought this house, it was falling apart. The roof hadn’t been replaced in 30 years and the shrubs were so overgrown you couldn’t see though the window,” Hampton said.

Part of her overhaul was to cut back the hedges, introduce roses to the garden and create an archway into the backyard. To the left of the orchard, she constructed an impressive pond and waterfall.

Hampton said she spent a weekend stacking granite rocks from Clear Lake Quarry for the water feature. The surrounding garden is made up of lilac bushes, rhododendrons and wisteria.

Near the back of her property is a small pasture, for two alpacas, two pygmy goats (named Joey and Maggie) and free-range chickens. Hampton said the residents enjoy assisting with the animals’ care and watching them from the window. The chickens provide fresh eggs daily for breakfast.

“We once had a resident named Eleanor Speck who was an avid reader. She said when she came to the window and saw the animals, it was like reading a book. There’s always something different,” Hampton said.

At “garden seven,” Steve and Patti Lang are offering tea, coffee and sandwiches by Buster’s Pond, on their secluded woodland property.

Marjorie Scribner, president of the Oak Harbor Garden Club, suggests comfortable walking shoes.

All proceeds will be used to support civic improvement projects in Oak Harbor such as Hal Ramaley Park and the school district park on Midway Avenue.

Tickets are $15 and are available at the Greenhouse Nursery, Horse Tail Nursery, Hummingbird Farm and Mailliard’s Landing. Call 675-6970 for more information. The tour ends at 4 p.m.

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