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The Garden Sanctuary
The ‘Garden Sanctuary’ began in August, 1994, when Roger
Zielinski, its founder and creator, wanted to develop a public
display of antique roses and 17th century gardens.
Mr. Zielinski was given the opportunity to begin this garden on
the west side of the former ‘Martin School’, now known as
‘Common Space Two’ which is a ‘Center for Creativity and the
Arts’ operated by the Arts Council Lake Erie West with two
locations in Toledo, one in Bowling Green and an historical
environmental center in Grand Rapids, Ohio.
Mr. Zielinski’s
interest for antique roses and gardening grew into
a passion for hardy Lady’s Slipper Orchids and rare plants that
could survive a Zone 5 [to -20 degree F] status.
We especially want to thank "Whiteford Road Green House" of
Toledo Ohio, for their continued support of the Garden Sanctuary
and the Garden Nursery. Their support has brought about allot
more color to the garden and revenue for the support of the
Garden Nursery through plant sale.
Whiteford Road Green House
4554 Whiteford Rd.
Toledo, Ohio 43623 open 7 days
419-882-4110
Over 2500 varieties
Thank You Roger, April, Eddie and Cypress
View of the West side of the
"Garden Sanctuary" this shot was taken just prior to our
"Celebration of Roses" event.
At this time,
the garden is a ‘work in progress’ due to lack of funding.
Nonetheless, the garden has progressed with
plant sales at the “Garden Nursery” and
its annual event “The Celebration of Roses.” Donated funds and
volunteers from the community help sustain its growth.
This view of the mound acts as
a physical barrier that adds a fantastic view from above, adding
greatly the aesthetics of the garden.
The
Garden Sanctuary is situated
on about 2 1/2 acres of land surrounding the former
school building. The
most developed area
is the original West Garden that
includes
a pond, arbors, large topiary shrubs and boxwoods lining
the antique rose and flower beds. This area is dedicated to the
original idea of displaying the 17th century gardens
of France. Large urns and statuary give the garden a classic
look incorporated with naturalized areas. This allows our
visitors to perceive how gardening might have been around the
time of the Empress Josephine, the wife of Napoleon
Bonaparte. She first
imported roses from China and made rose growing fashionable ever
since.
The fragrance of the "Rose
Walk" in full bloom is incredible beginning the month of June.
On the North and East sides
of the building are shade gardens that hug the building all the
way around with raised rock walls of sandstone and very rare
woodland plants including a nice collection of native and Asian
Cypripedium species. On the Northwest and Northeast corners of
the garden are two large mounds, which give a wonderful
over view of the garden from either
side. Newer additions
include two bog gardens that flank an island surrounded by a
moat. A wrought iron fence surrounds the garden and provides a
protective, yet decorative, divider from the busy roadways. Each
picket is topped with the fleur de lis emblem in
respect to
the French origin of the
‘Garden Sanctuary’.
Rose arbors give the West
garden a stately appearance.
We especially invite you to visit
‘The Garden Sanctuary,’ located at 10 S. Holland-Sylvania Rd. in
Toledo, Ohio, or phone: 419-866-4241. It is open
dawn to dusk every
day of the year but the best time to visit is between mid April
and all of June when the blossoming of
roses
and other flora are most intense throughout many areas of the
garden. ‘The
Celebration of Roses’
is always held
the first Sunday in June. This year it is June 4th
2006. In July,
we have a hollyhock display that will knock your socks off and
free hollyhock seed
with any purchase
at the ‘Garden Nursery’.
The rest of the season
boasts with color from lilies, day lilies and many other late
blooming perennials. Please come and join us for our festivities
or just to view this most unlikely and sumptuous display
of flora and garden design found in the best of gardens in
Europe.
Welcome to the "Garden
Nursery" - supporter of the "Garden Sanctuary"
Donations are always welcome to support our
public garden.
Raising Rarities supplies lady-slippers to botanical gardens and the home gardener.
Contact us today for additional information or use our
convenient
online order form to place your order today.
Cypripediums for sale here. We now accept major
credit cards and electronic checking through PayPal.com.
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