Garden Walk Buffalo Needs Your Eyes

Garden Walk Buffalo is looking into the possibility of creating a permanent mural somewhere in its footprint (within the boundaries of the Niagara River to Main Street and the Erie Basin Marina to the Scajaquada Expressway) and we could use your help.

We're looking for a tall building wall, or permanent fence, that also has actual plant life as part of it. We'd like to be able to incorporate the trees/bushes/vines into the concept of the mural. Extra bonus points for you if you OWN the wall/fence and give us permission to use it!

We'll come up with the creative use of the space and imagery. We'll find the muralist and secure permission to use the site. We just need help finding that ideal wall, in a visible spot, that can help us to promote what great and creative urban gardens and gardeners we have in Buffalo. 

The photo above is just an example of what we're trying to achieve. The perfect spot and clever use of the surrounding plant life will be crucial to its success as a promotion for Garden Walk Buffalo locally and virally through social media.

If you have any suggestions, leave in a comment; even better, if you have photos of a great spot, send them to GardenWalkBuffalo@yahoo.com

What to Do with a Shady Front Garden

I struggled for years with a small garden at the front corner of my house. It is right by the front door and visible from both streets as it is slightly higher than the sidewalk. It seemed the perfect spot for an annual garden with brilliant colors that would last for the season. I tried many different annuals although I have to admit I never did use impatiens as they have never been my favorite. The garden only gets some late afternoon sun and everything I planted there just never did well. Finally I found some coleus that I really liked and almost as important, they liked this spot in the garden. There are so many colors available now that range from the lime green that I use to a very dark chocolate color. It is not about the flower as the color of plants leaves are what give you the spectacular color. Now there are many different textures and leaf shapes that add even more interest with jagged edges or huge round leaves. I wish I knew how to hybridize them as there could be some fantastic combinations.

Duet Dahlia

These tuberous perennials require a little special attention as they are not hardy in WNY but I am happy to do it. I believe this one is called Duet Dahlia but can’t be sure as this was acquired from a friend who had these for many years and also acquired them from someone else. You are supposed to plant the tubers in the ground after the danger of frost is past but I cheat a little and start them in a large pot of soil in late April. I move the pot into the sun and then bring it inside if cold weather threatens. The plant grows quickly and will get 3 – 4 feet tall. Once it starts blooming in mid-summer it will keep putting out flowers until the fall. I dig up the tuber, cut off the plant and store them in the basement during the winter. It is worth it.

Buffalo Botanical Gardens

Spring seems like a long way off especially with the recent blizzard and extreme temperatures. A trip to the Buffalo Botanical Gardens is a sure way to lift your spirits with its many beautiful rooms of tropical foliage. Regardless how many times I visit I still find it incredibly fascinating and inspiring. Whether you like the waterfall room or the orchids, there is plenty to please the gardener’s interests. Last fall I visited during their succulent show and now have plans for a living piece of art which uses different sedums as the color palette. Hopefully it will all fill in by Garden Walk. I will post progress photos when appropriate. 

Garden Walk Buffalo, the largest garden tour in the U.S., is held the last weekend of July each year. In 2014, the free event will be Saturday and Sunday, July 26 and 27, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. More than 360 residences and businesses throughout the West Side of Buffalo open their creative urban gardens for tens of thousands of visitors from around the U.S., Canada, and abroad.

A Magnificent Daylily

Hemerocallis Ruby Spider

There are literally thousands of varieties of daylilies that have different textures, colors, shapes and sizes. While I don’t have very many in my garden, this Ruby Spider is one of my favorite perennial flowers. The flower may only last a day or two but when the plant is blooming – it is spectacular. Each flower is about 8”in diameter and the gold throat is surrounded by a brilliant maroon on the petals. In my garden, it usually blooms for a couple of weeks at the end of July. In 2013, the last bud opened on Friday morning before Garden Walk weekend and was gone by Saturday. Even if garden visitors missed it, I still enjoyed its magnificent beauty.

Apply Now for a Garden Walk Buffalo Beautification Grant

One objective of Garden Walk Buffalo is to give back to the community by supplying funds to blocks clubs and neighborhood group that want to improve their streets and become part of this wonderful weekend event.

The Marvin Lunenfeld Beautification Grants have helped to fund dozens of garden beautification projects within the GW area such as community gardens, hanging flower baskets, street corner planter projects, garden restoration and more. A list of these projects can be found on our website.

Award amounts are based on the overall project cost and the eligible projects that were required to include matching funds from government, private contributions or volunteer sweat equity. These award projects will be highlighted during the coming year's Garden Walk.

Completed applications are due February 15, 2014 with anticipated funding awards announced in early spring of 2014. Applications can be found at www.GardenWalkBuffalo.com or you can call 716-247-5004 and we will mail you an application. The application process is easy and we will offer assistance if there are any questions.