Hostas and lilies thrive in the full and dappled shade of the McAdams’ wooded yard.
EDGED BY WOODS and in the woods, Rita and Colin McAdam’s property perched atop a hill overlooking nearby French Lake west of Faribault offers a shady respite in the heat of the mid-day summer sun.
Vehicles exit the McAdam property along a narrow wooded lane.
On this June afternoon, I’m touring this couple’s land as part of the Cathedral of Our Merciful Saviour Garden and Landscape Tour benefiting Full Belly, a local “soup kitchen.”
An inspiring message placed next to lilies.
Rita welcomes me and offers a personal tour of her outdoor retreat 40 years in the making. “If you like digging in the dirt…” her voice trails.
A most impressive hosta with elephant ear sized leaves.
I opt, though, to wander at my own pace through this shaded yard where hostas dominate. Here I see not only everyday common hostas, but a vast variety including one with leaves as large as an elephant’s ears.
Everywhere are multiple varieties of hosta.
And so I meander because the McAdams’ place calls for a slow pace. There’s so much to notice in the abundance of art tucked among plants. The art is an eclectic mix of whatever seemed to catch Rita’s fancy. Statues of deer, a rabbit, a duck, angels…a Road Runner whirly-gig…
A jolt of humor.
The garden art is simultaneously quirky and charming, humorous and inspiring. No unified theme prevails. But it is what it should be—the result of four decades of work at Rita and Colin’s place.
BONUS PHOTOS:
Kitschy art propped against a tree.
My favorite sculpture in the McAdam yard. The tiny violets mimic the fawn’s spots.
The sun sculpture bursts color into the shade.
A sweet surprise of angels on a ledge next to lilies.
Another of my favorite sculptures tucked by the hosta.
Staged along the edge of the driveway/parking area.
This lizard sculpture holds jelly, for the birds I presume.
FYI: Check back again as I continue my garden tour series. Click here to read my first garden tour post.
© Copyright 2016 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
Oh what a lovely oasis. You know I love this series, right? The lizard might have grape jelly for the orioles. I don’t have any here in NC (yet) but I had a ton in Iowa and they loved grape jelly. My favorite sculpture is the bunny. Cute garden.
Ah, yes, probably orioles. I’m glad you’re enjoying this series.
There’s nothing more soothing on a blistering day than a saunter through a shady hosta filled garden!
Fortunately, the day of the tour the weather had cooled from the previous blistering day. But you are right, a shade garden is wonderful and soothing on a hot day.
Your photos remind me of our rental home back out west. She had tchotckes everywhere in the front and back gardens. A frog here, a bird bath there, a deer here, a turtle there, pieces of wood scattered around, etc. I actually got excited when I spotted something new in pruning the jungle back – ha! Happy Weekend – Enjoy 🙂
I understand exactly what you’re saying. Always a surprise, something you miss if you fail to slow down.
All the shade looks so refreshing; we are having temps in the low 100s in Sacramento. I enjoyed the clever but simple art pieces that add to the beauty of the hostas.
The weather in Minnesota since Sunday has been spectacular. Just the right temps. Sunshine. And lush green everywhere. It’s a lovely time of year here.
The fawn sculpture is my favorite… of course you know why!! 😀
Yes, I do. How are your fawns?
They’re doing great! I need to make time to update everyone. 🙂
I love cement statues almost as much as I love hostas! Great pics 🙂
Nina, it is so good to hear from you. It’s been ages. Are you back to blogging? I must check.
What a fun beautiful place.