Photos from the Gardens of Coles County Tour taken at the 2009 IL Master Gardener Conference in Effingham, Illinois.

The first stop on our tour was the 308 acre Lake Land College campus near Mattoon, Illinois. Inspiring!

Next to the Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site, the last homestead of Abraham Lincoln's father and stepmother. Saw handmade quilts. Gardening 1840's style , cooking on open fire using fresh garden vegetables and herbs; the aroma was amazing! Raised bed gardening at this site.

Final stop for the day was the acreage of retired EIU Botany Professor and noted gardener Wes Whiteside. Many magnolias present. Planting areas devoted to roses, hardy cacti, wild flowers, winter-flowering plants, and an extensive collection of daylilies. Whiteside demonstrated propagation techniques with attendees. Water lilies and other aquatic plants were seen in several pond areas. Plants include hundreds of Venus-Flytrap plants. Photos from five acres of garden spaces. Whiteside has donated his property to EIU so future generations will be able to learn to grow. His property is also the location of the annual Garden Ramble held on Memorial Day weekend.

In the evening we enjoyed dinner at Effingham's Firefly Grill & Restaurant. This restaurant has received national attention, and the food was delicious! Check them out on the web.

I hope that someday you have the opportunity to visit these sights.

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