LOOK: Gardens in Bloom Despite Drought Conditions

With the dry weather this year, many Port Washington residents have seemingly accepted that their grass is going to remain brown for the season — but five area homeowners have bigger concerns to think about.

The Port Washington Garden Club annual Garden Walk is Saturday, and it will feature the usually private gardens of area residents. One of those residents is Amy Lorence, who said the unusually dry circumstances have caused her water usage to turn some heads.

“It's funny (you ask about the drought), because the city of Port called me yesterday and said, 'we need to come out and see if you have a leak or something because your water usage is (higher than normal),'" Lorence laughed.

Nope — no leak. Just watering. A lot.

Lorence said she learned a tip from a garden owner in Theinsville about dealing with the drought: make sure the water gets deep into the ground. She does this by using s

"If it goes in easy I know I am still good, if it starts to get tough then I know it needs water," she said, adding that the use of the screwdriver also creates a hole to help the water flow deeper.

Her garden is unique, she said, because of the old antique items she has collected as well as the finale waterfall in the backyard.

"Every place you go there is something different, and it ends with a water wheel and a river in the backyard," Lorence said.

Here is more information about Saturday's Garden Walk, taken from a press release from the Garden Club:

Garden No. 1: Amy Lorence (901 W. 4th Ave., Port Washington)

Follow the path to the back of this small home to find a kaleidoscope of color popping up among hardscaped paths and over a shimmering fountain stream. Built on a sloping lot, you’ll be able to sit quietly, enjoying this newly finished masterpiece.

Garden No. 2: Dennis & Ann Race (814 Woodland Avenue, Port Washington)

This yard started as a standard square lot with a few flowers around the house.  Over the course of 17 years, the Races have created a well-decorated garden oasis for themselves, their dog and visiting birds. Visitors are sure to find inspiration from both the beautiful garden plantings, including many trellised clematises, as well as the creative use of recycled-materials-turned-art in the garden.

Garden No. 3: Judge Eghart House (302 W. Grand Avenue, Port Washington)

While many of us drive by this old home on a regular basis, Elizabeth O'Connell and Pat Baganz, both garden club members, are reviving this property by bringing in picturesque pots and containers of Victorian era sophistication. Each plant was chosen with authenticity in mind, including a banana tree and the Wardian Case, a popular terrarium of this period.

Garden No. 4: Michael & Lisa Crivello (305 S. Division Street, Port Washington)

Beyond the red, white and blue picket fence lies a hillside garden on a near-vertical slope, and a natural spring that flows toward the creek below. This nearly 35-foot descent mixes sun and shade, trees and flowers, and two memorials for fallen U.S. servicemen.

Garden No. 5: Two Oaks Estate (1776 Lake Shore Road, Grafton)

Bryan Gore has taken his knowledge of garden design and poured his heart into creating a European-Colonial gardenscape on this sprawling estate.
He will lead three themed tours throughout the day:

• 9:30 a.m.: An Arboretum Tour featuring a study of mature trees on this plantation-like estate including birch, lindens, evergreens, beech trees and many more.
• 11:30 a.m.: A Garden Design Tour. The gardens are patterned after 18th-Century Colonial estates following Gore's numerous visits to Virginia and Europe. He'll explain the details, nuances and forethought that go into a garden of this size.
• 1:30 p.m.: Meet the Garden-maker. This is an interactive first-hand look at a garden. Bring your questions, and take a walk in a garden through the eyes of an artist.

People visiting Two Oaks should park on High Bluff Road, just south of Two Oaks.  Johnson Bus will pick up riders and drop them off at Two Oaks. Only people with disabilities can park at Two Oaks.

Tickets are still only $5 and available on the day of the walk at any of the five gardens, or at the Pebble House, 126 E. Grand Ave., in downtown Port Washington. Children and students are admitted free.

Proceeds are used for the club's scholarship fund and community projects. Go to PortGardenClub.org for more information.