Northwind Perennial Farm rocks!

After our shopping spree at Klehm's Song Sparrow, we took advantage of our proximity to Northwind Perennial Farm to head down the highway to Burlington, Wis., to visit this highly-regarded nursery, located in and around a 19th century dairy barn. The three business partners have a combined 80 years of horticultural experience, which is clearly evident as you walk through Northwind's stunning display gardens. 

I've been fortunate to hear one of the owners — Roy Diblik — speak a number of times in Madison, and he knows his plants. For those of you who've visited Lurie Gardens in Chicago's Millenium Park and been impressed with that landscape, you need to know that Roy grew and installed 15,000 plants for the project. That alone is enough to give you a sense of his expertise and Northwind's reputation. 

We took tons of photos at Northwind and this group are about the rock work throughout the gardens. Lots of practical ideas here along with a healthy dose of inspiration!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mark — who's done his share of building stone walls and sculpture in our garden — pointed out that creating a wall with the irregular round shapes of Wisconsin field stone is particularly difficult. Thus making this serpentine wall at Northwind quite an achievement.

Comments

[Lisa at Greenbow]

This place is an inspiration. I will not look at my rock in the same way for quite awhile. What an engineering feat to get those flat rocks stacked like a big urn too. That serpetine wall is something else. I like that flower made of rock too. I will be seeing if I can get a flower like this to bloom in my garden.

[Frances]

Rocks is right! I also have done quite a bit of rock work, and found loads of inspiration from these photos. The daisy shape in the gravel looks doable and easy. Lucky you are to live within driving distance to both of these fine establishments. :-)
Frances

[Barbara H.]

Love it all! Thank you!

[Altoon]

It is indeed inspiring to see the inventive paths and structures in this garden. I especially love the big round structure, which reminds me of ancient beehive houses.
(what's with the giraffes in the background of the serpentine wall?)

[LINDA from EACH LITTLE WORLD]

The giraffes are huge metal sculptures leading to their growing fields and overflow parking.

[Gail]

Incredible gardens (website) and the stone work is remarkable. gail

[andrea]

lovely stonework indeed - very goldsworthy-esque.

[Melia]

Stunning! The rocks and the entire farm look romantic. And it will look even more attractive if I'll visit it one day. Haha! :p