A delightful mix of beautiful flowers displayed in a creatively designed yard has turned out to be a prize-winning combination for a Rimbey couple.
Keith and Glenna Spelrem are this year’s winners of the yard and garden contest held by the Rimbey and District Horticulture Club.
“Their well-designed and carefully planned Rimbey town yard has an appealing Spanish flair to it,” said spokesperson Diana Pearman.
“The stone and brickwork is breathtaking: meandering paths, large fish pond and water garden complete with water fall and even a building the owner had constructed to perfect scale from an appealing picture on a calendar.”
Pearman said there are delightful surprises in the yard everywhere including lovely sculptures and an outdoor fireplace.”
Glenna Spelrem was pleased with the recognition but believes there are many beautiful yards and gardens in Rimbey. “There’s a lot of very nice properties here.” Speller and her husband do all the landscape and design work themselves as well as care for the flowerbeds and mulching the flowerbeds early in the spring is her secret to keeping the weeds under control.
Eight gardens were nominated for the contest, and Darlene Polachic, who writes for Gardens West Magazine, came along as part of the group who viewed the yards earlier this summer and helped select the 2012 winner.
“She was very impressed with the quality and creativity of the Rimbey gardeners,” said Pearman, adding the winner will be featured in the Garden’s West Magazine.
Although there was only one winner, Pearman said all nominees deserve to be recognized for their talent and creativity.
Doreen Glanfield’s creative use of space in the side yard between two town homes was especially creative. “She uses that space to its absolute maximum, creating a tranquil and secluded oasis with a patterned pathway of decorative colored shale and rock, mixed in with shade loving hostas and ferns.”
Dorothy Stuart excellently uses her small condo yard, Pearman said. “She accepts the challenge of growing some hard to grow plants as well. The feeders in her yard are a wonderful example of the symbiotic relationship we can have with our environment.”
Pearlman described Annette Devries’ backyard as a secret pleasure where flowers and vegetables are nurtured in the same bed with their combined colors and textures creating eye candy. A red painted pair of wooden shoes displayed in her garden speak of her Dutch heritage.
She noted Bob Tierney’s passion for gardening is reflected in his beautiful selection of annuals and perennials, and his creativity is obvious in a lattice wall of scented climbing roses that camouflage his garage.
Pearman also complimented Kristy Ledieu for her family friendly landscape, which she said, is both beautiful and practical.
And last, but certainly not least, Pearlman said Bonnie Olsen’s perennials, annuals and trees are artistically arranged and her beautiful deck plantings full of appealing color and texture.
“Although there was only one winner, there was many things to be learned and admired from each and every yard and all nominees were very much appreciated,” she said.