I am continually amazed how many people haven't availed themselves of the pleasure of visiting the U of I Coles County Extension Master Gardeners' Idea Garden by the emergency entrance of Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center. It is a jewel of a treat if you enjoy admiring a well-tended garden with labeled plants. We call it the "Idea Garden" because it's a source for getting ideas for plants you might like to try in your garden. We created it in 1999, patterned after a similar garden created and maintained by the Master Gardeners of the Champaign County U of I Extension.

We practice Integrated Pest Management in the garden. IPM is not a single pest control method but, rather, a series of pest management evaluations, decisions and controls. For example, if we notice an infestation of scale on a plant, we would treat it with earth-friendly insecticidal soap, rather than a harsh chemical. The following partial description of IPM is from the EPA website so you can read further. http://www.epa.gov/opp00001/factsheets/ipm.htm .

"IPM is an effective and environmentally sensitive approach to pest management that relies on a combination of common-sense practices. IPM programs use current, comprehensive information on the life cycles of pests and their interaction with the environment. This information, in combination with available pest control methods, is used to manage pest damage by the most economical means, and with the least possible hazard to people, property, and the environment."

Each year, we truck in loads of mulch from the city landscape recycling site and spread it around the plants. In addition to suppressing weeds, the thick mulch conserves moisture, reducing water usage, then bio-degrades into loamy soil to further feed the plants. We use no commercial fertilizers.

There are nine sections in the 30 by 100 foot plot with wood chip paths winding through. Each section has a list of plants in a water-proof box for you to take. The sections evolve a bit each year to reflect changing trends and new varieties and techniques. Here are the current gardens:

A "lasagna" garden is planted with annuals. The name comes from the layers and layers of newspapers, leaves, soil we piled up 2 feet tall two years ago which have now composted into lovely rich soil. Cardinal-red 'Dreamland' zinnias glow in contrast with a large mound of purple/green perilla.

The herb garden contains a myriad of sweet-smelling edible and medicinal plants, such as lavender, creeping thyme, ornamental peppers. It's a soothing treat to run your hands over the plants and soak in the aromas. Notice the purple hyacinth bean vine on the pyramid trellis with its bright purple pods!

You can just imagine the cottage garden surrounding a thatched, half-timbered English cottage. Shasta daisies, coreopsis, Russian Sage abound here.

The rock garden's centerpiece is a concrete basket filled with a stunning variety of succulents. It is surrounded with nasturtiums, red yarrow and others. Note the labels printed on the rocks.

New veggie varieties can be found in the vegetable section. Lemon cucumbers, cardoon (a relative of artichoke), kohlrabi and tomatoes are some of the occupants.

An adorable miniature village populates the children's garden with a fun-to-walk-through morning glory tunnel.

The newly-expanded bog garden has a peat-moss base contained in a rubber membrane. These moisture-loving plants thrive in an acidic environment provided by the peat. There you will find carnivorous insect-eating oddities such as Venus fly trap, sundew and pitcher plants, as well as papyrus and unusual varieties of canna lilies.

Tall grasses are great for yard accents, especially if you enjoy low-maintenance, drought-tolerant gardening. You'll see many varieties in the grass section which might work in your yard. Native flowers are interspersed among the grasses.

A giant metal butterfly is the signature of the butterfly section, as well as the constant live "flutterbys" enjoying nectar from plants especially for their delectation: coneflowers, liatris, sedum, Joe Pye weed, heliopsis and many others.

The shrub section contains specimens which might look nice in your landscaping. Check out the huge burgundy-leaved Nine Bark and the Rose of Sharon.

In addition to the Idea Garden, our local Master Gardener group maintains a Plant-a-Row plot east of SBLHC by the greenhouse. Look for an article about it in an upcoming column.

Soooo, when you're in the vicinity of SBLHC, please stop in and browse the gardens and sign our guest book. And make repeated visits monthly to see the ever-changing vista. You'll be glad you did.

You are cordially invited to a free Garden Walk sponsored by the Coles County U of I Extension Master Gardeners at Hummel's Hill Saturday, August 15, 2009, 9:30 am, (NOTE CHANGE OF TIME – We're thinking of the heat factor ) 6089 Chicory Knoll, Charleston 61920. (This will show up on your mapping program and directions are below.)

A snippit of what you will see: In the front, deer-resistant native Illinois plants make a strong statement while requiring little upkeep. The gardens are interspersed with bronze sculptures, statuary and an "ever-blooming" blue bottle tree.

In the back yard, the winding 60-foot recirculating stream bubbles from the woods beneath a 200-year-old oak and gurgles its way over and around granite boulders transported from Wisconsin.

Many water plants populate the stream, including forget me nots, horsetail rush, irises and a mini-bog. It is surrounded by more native plants, ornamental grasses, shady places to relax and punctuated by an array of blue accent pieces and a birdhouse village.

Newly-installed is a spiral staircase leading from the stream area up to a deck overlook.

Cancelled if heavy rain. Bring your umbrellas for light rain.

Directions from Hwy 16 in Charleston.

Turn south on University Drive. Drive 1 mile to stop sign. Drive straight another ¼ mile. Turn left at T-road (Sunnydale Lane). Drive ¼ mile. Turn left at the Chicory Knoll and No Exit signs. Go up the hill to end of lane. If you have any horticulture questions, call the U of I Extension office 345-7034. Volunteer

Master Gardeners are in the office on: Monday—2 to 4 p.m.; Wednesday and Friday—9-11 a.m.

This column is based on information and materials at the University of Illinois Extension office, located at 707 Windsor Road, Suite A., Charleston, 61920; phone 345-7034; or web site: www.extension.uiuc.edu/coles/