Garden tour set for Sunday

Custer Mile High Garden Club will host the 18th Annual Avis Hespen Memorial Garden Tour from 1-3:30 p.m., Sunday, July 27. Hespen and her sister Caroline Hatton were founding members of the local GC in January 1996. The twosome shared garden witticisms, sound gardening practices, seeds, bulbs and cuttings quite liberally. 
Hespen would say, “I like any color, as long as it’s red!” Red-clad garden club members welcome visitors to each garden and will answer your questions.
Programs with the locations and descriptions of the tour sites are available at Petals & Pages, 36 N. 6th St.; Dakota Greens – Custer Greenhouses & Nursery, Inc., 25086 Shamrock Road; Custer County Library, 447 Crook St.; Custer Senior Center, 538 Mt Rushmore Rd.; and the Custer Area Chamber of Commerce, 615 Washington Street. The day of the tour programs may be acquired at Monument Health Custer Hospital ~ Healing and Wellness Garden, 1220 Montgomery St.
In the Wellness Garden, visitors will have a peaceful stroll in a 10,000 square-foot oasis of nature. This garden is for gathering with others or reflecting on one’s thoughts to find the mind, body and spirit connection.
In this garden is a furnished playhouse. There is a pergola and extensive displays of trees, shrubs, perennials in bloom, and flourishing vegetable gardens. Visitors can view everything from strategically-placed seating areas throughout the park. This mature garden contains large metal flower sculptures, arched trellises and tipis. Amble through the park and take a breath; feel the healing power of nature. A fountain and a waterfall are worthy points for meditation. 
Another mountain home garden contains a one-year-old greenhouse that the homeowner claims “grows the best vegetable garden she has ever grown in Custer.” In addition, there are self-watering raised vegetable gardens. Guests will note that this year’s commercially-grown lavender transplants are flourishing. Fruit trees, floral beds and bushes are scattered throughout the gardener’s domain.
Take a stroll through another gardener’s 100-foot-long, year-round winter greenhouse project. This greenhouse currently produces vegetables that the owner asserts are “maturing quicker than in most gardens.” Visitors to this garden view extensive climate control and irrigation systems that allow for year-round fruit tree growth. 
A historic home, originally an Ellsworth Air Force Base housing, is surrounded by “immature” 3-year-old and younger gardens. The gardener’s focus is growing plants that work well in Custer’s environment and deer-resistant vegetation. Visitors will also view the “secret garden,” where the vegetables and non-resistant plants live.
Something is always blooming at this horticulturist’s sanctuary, including the vegetated rock-walled entrance. This garden created over 15 years ago now features a renovated backyard with a meandering path around the fireplace. Catmint, peonies, spirea, lupines are abundant.
With repeating pinks and purples, Monarda and helianthus splash the area with fragrance and color. The orchard area includes fruiting shrubs and 14 raised beds, including a raised 32-foot by 18-foot garden bed built with the ubiquitous Black Hills rock. Profuse annuals burgeon from the greenhouse. The resident menagerie includes goats, chickens, quail, pigs, a calf and alpacas. The potager (traditional kitchen garden) is in total succulent growth, as well as the truck garden and cultivated hillside.
The 18th Annual Avis Hespen Memorial Garden Tour finale is a tour of Dakota Greens—Custer Greenhouses & Nursery, Inc., 25086 Shamrock Road. From 3:30 to 5 p.m., enjoy the nursery and root beer floats. 
The garden excursion is complimentary, and everyone is welcome and encouraged to experience the beauty and surprises of the six lovely local gardens.