Aullwood Farm

After the tour of Aullwood Gardens, I headed over to Aullwood Farm.

In 1962, the 120-acre Antrim Farm adjacent to Aullwood Audubon Center was placed on the market. Mrs. Aull purchased the farm because proposed development would have drained the springs which fed the creek. The creek flows through the center’s land and even through Mrs. Aull’s garden. Mrs. Aull donated a portion of the land to the National Audubon Society. Mrs. Aull envisioned a children’s farm with livestock which children could see, touch and hear, and fields where they could watch crops grow. She felt it was important for people to understand the importance of the family farm in American culture.

For more information about the Aullwood Audubon Center and Farm, please visit:
Aullwood Audubon Center and Farm

Here are some pictures of my visit:

Replica of original Barn.

The original Barn burned down in the '80's

Freshly shorn Sheep

I love Draft Horses!

Lambs!

The Childrens Organic Garden

I watched this Chicken lay her egg!

I listened to this young Rooster practicing his crowing.

Let's just say he as a little more work to do.

I was laughing so hard listening to him!

Aullwood Garden and House Tour

Aullwood Garden


This nationally recognized, historic estate garden is rich in plant diversity, habitats and tranquility. Many bird and butterfly species are observed here. The garden acquired its present configuration in the two decades following John and Marie’s marriage in 1923. From the beginning, Wiles Creek served as a landscape focus and the forest shade determined the selection of plants. Tens of thousands of Virginia bluebells that now cover the hillsides in late April are the progeny of 500 plants they purchased.

John Aull, president of Aull Brothers Box Company, believed that the land where he and Marie lived was to be shared with the public.

The Aull family spent considerable time traveling abroad and brought back ideas for their gardens. The garden rooms contain native plants, plus plants from around the world.

Aullwood Garden MetroPark underwent many changes as flood waters wiped out entire peony beds; and as shade intensified. The topography and plantings were done carefully to imitate nature. It was intended as a retreat from the pressures of city living.

The park became a MetroPark in 1977, when the land was put into a living trust.

His Wife, Maria, lived on the land until her death in 2002 at the age of 102.

Here are a few pics from my visit

Burr Oak

If you look real close you can see the red marker.

This was the high water line from Dayton's Great Flood of 1913

First  glimpse of the house

The Pond

Mr. Aull was said to have swam in the pond everyday

The 500 year old Sycamore

The Sycamore Lawn

The House

The Aull's Wedding Invitation

A few of Mrs. Aull's belongings

Mrs. Aull's gardening hat

I love this old Stove!

Mrs. Aull and a lamb on Aullwood Farm

The Garden's caretaker and our guide......he has been working at the Garden a looooong time

See the Woodpecker holes?

I am totally in love with Aullwood Metropark! So much so that I joined the Friends of Aullwood.
 
Come back to visit real soon for pictures of Aullwood Farm.

Wegerzyn Gardens

Water Drops on Blue Pansy

Pretty Tulip

Pretty Blooms.....not sure what they are

Water Drops on a Hosta Leaf

Another Tulip

Swamp Forest - Wegerzyn Gardens

More Pics from my Photo Field Trip to Wegerzyn Gardens:

Swamp Forest Boardwalk

Swamp Forest

Reflections in the Swamp Water

Photo Field Trip- Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark

Photo Field Trip

May 13, 2008

Wegerzyn Gardens Metro Park

Stroll through formal gardens and the delightful Children’s Discovery Garden. Every season has something special to offer. Home gardeners will find a wealth of design ideas, wonderful plants, and cultivation techniques suitable for the Miami Valley. Also walk the Marie Aull Nature Trail and Swamp Forest Boardwalk and discover the scenic Stillwater River corridor.

The Wegerzyn Horticultural Center was founded in 1973 as the result of a generous gift by Mr. Benjamin Wegerzyn and the dedicated work of area garden clubs. The Wegerzyn Center and Wegerzyn Gardens are now a part of Five Rivers MetroParks and are dedicated to providing the people of the Miami Valley with learning experiences in gardening, horticulture, the environment, and urban land stewardship of the River Corridor.

If you would like more information on this or any of the Five River MetroParks,
Click the Link
http://www.metroparks.org/

Still more Cox Arboretum Pics

Cox Arboretum

Dayton, Ohio