Sue Waltemath, who has lived in Kansas City since 1974, shares some of her garden experiences. She is master gardener with University of Missouri Extension Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City.
Family Ties
I am married to Doug who is a bridge engineer and have one son, Sam, who is working on his masters degree in secondary education at Rockhurst. Doug and Sam help with the larger construction projects. Sam is a budding garden enthusiast who likes to purchase plants he likes and hopes Mom can find a spot in her garden for them.
Both of my grandmothers were gardeners in Western Nebraska. My Grandma Delpha fought the elements and the pet peacocks in the Sandhills in order to grow bluegrass and ornamental flowers. Now that she is gone, the land to reclaimed her garden. My Grandma Katherine was a vegetable gardener and I remember picking fresh strawberries from her garden. Both of my parents were gardeners while I was growing up. My dad still maintains several garden beds. I started gardening during college where we rented a 100 year-old house.
Gardens
The back garden is primarily an acre woodland garden bordered in the back by a creek. We have a lot of walnut, elm and other native trees. We have hundreds of hosta and other shade plants. Our newest garden project is a pergola that was constructed in pieces over the winter and put in place this spring.
My husband has also constructed two small bridges that cross a dry creek bed. A water feature borders our patio.
Frontyard planter, scaveola and begoniasAs of this summer there is no longer any turf in the front yard -- it's one of the few places with full sun. We have dozens of containers packed with annuals/tropicals on the deck and patio -- a great place to experiment with plant combinations. Our goal: To continue to elimate the turf in the backyard to save water/mowing/fretting.
Special interests
Shade gardening--out of necessity. I've learned to appreciate shades of green and foliage texture. Container gardening is another favorite.
Coolest plants
- Forest Pansy Redbud (Cercis canadensis 'Forest Pansy')--purple foliage is outstanding.
- Hypericum frondosum 'Sunburst' yellow blooms in July, a real showstopper.
- Boxwood (Buxus 'Green Velvet' or 'Winter Gem') because it is evergreen, low-maintenance and so easy to grow in just about any environment.
- Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' for its lime green flowers, sun tolerance and reliable bloom.
- Angelonia- Viburnum x.Burkwoodii and Judii because they are fragrant and provide food for the birds.
- Monarda 'Coral Reef' because it doesn't get mildew and has great color.
- Clematis for the vertical and rambling growth habit. People shouldn't be intimidated by clematis, it is remarkably easy to grow.
- Native ginger (Asarum canadense) because it is a great ground cover in dry shade.
- Purple weeping beech (Fagus 'Purpurea pendula') because of its interesting growth habit and purple foliage.
- Saruma 'Henri'-an unusual shade plant with fuzzy leaves and darling yellow flower.
- Saruma- Bloodroot (Sanguinaria)-- delightful white flowers in early spring, nice foliage, shade tolerant.
- Woodland/Celadine Poppy (Stylophorum diphyllum)-- lovely foliage, yellow flower in spring, dry shade tolerant, a native.
- Helianthus 'First Light' with lovely ferny foliage and yellow blooms in October.
- Summer Snapdragon/Angelonia -- delightful annual good in containers or the ground.
- Coleus-great, easy to grow foliage plant. Easy to propagate.
Biggest gardening mistake
Allowing garden thugs to invade the garden (lamium, lemon balm, violets....)
Best tip for beginning gardener
Don't be afraid to start, if you make a mistake, start over. Too many people don't do anything because they have no idea where to begin. Read garden magazines like Garden Gate, ask for advice from your gardening friends, call Master Gardener hotlines, take advantage of free garden talks through the Garden Centers of America, shop at locally owned garden centers where the staff can provide accurate information.
Garden ties
Master Gardener of Greater Kansas City, co-chair of annual garden tour, co-chair of speaker's bureau and project coordinator of the healing garden at the Ronald McDonald Longfellow House (worked with the Water Garden Society). Teaching gardening basics is very rewarding. Developed Gardening 101 -- a four-week class the Master Gardeners teach at Park Hill Community Education Center.