Garden Club members and prospective members were invited to tour Innsbrook’s annual garden beds with Innsbrook Director of Horticulture Keith Thompson.

We started at the Conference Center to look at the Garden Club’s Demonstration Garden. Keith measured pH level and soil moisture and talked about Innsbrook water qualities.

Village of Innsbrook Garden Club President Lynn Laws explained that the purpose of the demo garden is to give people an idea of which plants thrive best in our environment – and which the Innsbrook deer are making a meal out of.

Walking across the street to the golf course, we learned about the Angelonia, Lantana, Zinnia and other colorful flora that make it one of the course’s most beautiful holes. Aptly named Coleus Inky Fingers are also part of this landscaping design:

Keith entertained questions about plant management, and taught everyone a little Latin by using the scientific names of the different plants.

All of the annual beds at Innsbrook are watered with drip irrigation, and beds are checked weekly for moisture.

The bees were loving this Cleome at the course:

Keith told us that there haven’t been as many Japanese beetles this year as there were the past couple years. Though the ones that are here have been eating away at this hibiscus:

Some words of wisdom from the expert:

When it comes to landscaping, Keith says “Read the book, then throw it away.” You’ll get good basic information, but it might not work as well once applied to the real world.

And just because something claims to be deer resistant doesn’t necessarily mean that will be the case on your property. If they’re hungry enough, they’ll probably eat it. You just have to try it one year and see what works for you.

Also: “A real key to taking care of plants is knowing when to ignore them.” Overwatering can do as much damage to a plant as not watering enough.

Take a look at this document to find out which varieties and species are at each location around Innsbrook, including the Main Gate, West Gatehouse, and the Farmhouse.

Keith is already planning for next year, putting together orders and reviewing what worked and what didn’t. When do you start thinking about what to put in your garden? What has been successful/unsuccessful growing for you?