BELFAST — What do gardeners and artists have in common? A lot, if you read the experts. In addition to creativity and hard work, gardening and art-making both involve faith, trust, and imagination. So, when an artist offers to share their garden, expect a double dose of inspiration and pleasure. Artist Janalee Welch and husband Keith will open their garden and Janalee’s art studio to visitors on Saturday, July 20, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Located at 49 Robbins Road in Belfast, the tour of their garden is part of the Belfast Garden Club’s Open Garden Days.
The $5 admission to the garden helps to support the club’s public service projects throughout the year. The event will be held rain or shine. Season passes will be available for $35 on site.
A retired teacher and lifelong artist, Janalee began gardening seriously during the pandemic. “When we bought the property ten years ago, no garden as such existed,” she says. “A few small trees and shrubs had been planted in random spots.”
Using what she already knew about color and structure, Janalee turned the entire backyard into a garden, with more than a dozen hydrangeas, many native plants, a new moss garden, and some sculptural elements, paths, and walkways. Terraces have been added to retain a slope, along with a vine-covered pergola and a large raised bed. “I think my garden is an extension of my art,” she muses. “I think of it as an artist’s palette of harmonious color, shape, and texture.” Many garden-themed items will be for sale during the tour, including Janalee’s handmade journals.
Despite challenges — irregular hills and eroding slopes, hard-baked clay soil, rocks, and shade — the evolution of the garden is itself an inspiration to keep working. “It’s a young garden,” Janalee says. “There’s still a lot I want to accomplish.”
Open Garden Days will be held each Saturday through Aug. 17. For the complete Open Garden Days schedule, visit belfastgardenclub.org. Proceeds support the garden club’s school programs, camp scholarships, library donations, and the thirteen public gardens in Belfast that are maintained by club volunteers.
