Six Lancaster homes participate in National Garden Festival

LANCASTER- With a lot of dedication and hard work over the years, Cliff and Debbie Hageman, have grown their own sanctuary right in their backyard.

A reward that smells so sweet, the Hageman’s English Cottage Garden theme has blossomed into an array of colorful flowers, plants, trees, and includes an English bench, arbors, a pergola, brick pathways, and a garden shed. There is not an empty spot.

The Hageman’s, along with five other Lancaster couples, definitely have shown they have a green thumb when it comes to gardening. So much so that they are a part of the five-week long National Garden Festival, a festival that offers open gardens, tours, and many other events.

Visitors are welcomed to stop by to check out the Lancaster gardens anytime from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursdays from now to July 29.

The Hageman’s, who reside at 73 Grant St., have more than 60 different type of perennials, seven bushes, three trees, four types of roses, and a vegetable garden. There are borders in the front, side, and back yard.

“We have always loved to garden together,” remarked Debbie. “Colors change every month from yellow to pink to orange to purple. We have flowers for every season. We have flowers that bloom in the spring, the summer, and the fall. It is very peaceful.”

Debbie said when they moved into their home the landscaping consisted of two dead pear trees and a bunch of bushes along the side of the house.

It has taken the Hageman’s 11 years to get their garden to where it is today, working five days a week, about three to five hours a day, and they continue to keep adding to it every year.

“It is not work to us,” commented Debbie. “It is just our passion and hobby.”

Everything in the garden has a reason, added Debbie. The Double Tiger Lilies are from her mother and great grandma’s house and the Gladiolus are significant, because they were the flower Cliff’s mom put on the altar when they got married. Also, the Black Eyed Susan’s are one of Debbie’s favorites and the Daisies are a favorite of their daughters.

Cliff enjoys tending to the vegetable garden and because he likes airplanes and gnomes they are placed all around the garden. He also put together the pergola, which he originally built for his daughter’s wedding shower.

Visitors will also find antiques in the garden such as old bicyclists, a mirror, and even a chandelier. After dark, solar lights illuminate the yard and even the chandelier lights up. It is a sight to see.

“We went a little crazy with lights this year but we really like them,” laughed Debbie.

Visitors can also stop by the Hageman’s home during the Lancaster Garden Walk. They have been a part of the walk since 2004 and in 2010 their garden was showcased in the Buffalo-Niagara Gardening online magazine.

Debbie said she just wants more people to be aware of the National Garden Festival so they can come by and enjoy their garden like they do.

“It makes me happy,” said Debbie. “Other people enjoy it and we like when people stop and talk to us.” So, just come in, walk around, sit, look at the flowers, and watch the birds. We have a lot of song birds and humming birds and butterflies that come.”

Residents are also encouraged to stop by the gardens of Julie and Dan Curtis, located at 732 Aurora St.; Robert and Karen Deutschlander, located at 36 Stephens Court; Rich and Lucy Groblewski, located at 14 Lombardy St.; Ron and Kathleen Kerbs, located at 127 South Irwinwood Road; and Sue and Sam Puma, located at 2179 Como Park Boulevard. They are also all in the Lancaster Garden Walk, which is from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 21 and July 22.

There are a total of 75 open gardens throughout the Buffalo-Niagara area, 14 garden walks and tours, bus tours, and six education days during the National Garden Festival. For the complete list of open gardens, dates and times of events, check out www.NationalGardenFestival.com.