Love stories can share commonalities and Tuesday's two Weatherford, Texas gardens were a result of their owners's passion...
Our first stop was an hour out of Ft Worth at Clark Gardens where we were welcomed by their assistant director who spoke of a 22 yr old Max Clark on a blind date with Billie, a 16 yr old girl he couldn't take his eyes off of. He might not have watched the movie that night but he did marry that girl 6 weeks later...
Today at 91, Clark still works on the 35 acres of what once was just Texas mesquite and tumbleweed which he and his wife converted into an oasis of rose gardens, nature trails with a tree arboretum, water features, koi filled ponds, a chapel, gazebo areas, and even a miniature train depot run by a local train club.
A great deal of planning had gone into these plantings and grounds, a labor of love. Now, it is not just their homestead but a tourist stop and wedding venue ...
Clark Gardens have suffered the effects of last year's harsh winter and the previous night's storm which had not left the garden unscathed for our visit. Branches and foliage littered the paths with some muddy stretches. Also a lack of funding for sufficient labor was obvious from the condition of the grounds.
Blooms, even roses were scant. Although at the end of its growing season one of my favorite annuals, Fiesta de Sol, a deep orange Mexican sunflower brightened an otherwise dreary garden bed.
Here a top the short path Mrs. Billie Yvonne Clark was laid to rest with a permanent overview of the gardens the two Clarks had built over the years. She passed in 2012 at 80 years old.
Even the family dog is buried nearby. Metal sculptures of both master and dog grace the site.
After Googling past photos of Clark Gardens the beauty the Clarks had created on the grounds was more obvious. Hopefully some new benefactors will appear to help restore Clark Gardens to its past glory.
Our next stop would be laden with more passion flowers at the glorious Chandor Gardens.
Stay tuned...
No comments:
Post a Comment