Brenda & Bob Sinke – Grand Rapids
30 years in the making!
From the road, the casual passerby sees a small patch of lush green lawn at the front of the Sinke home along with a weeping larch and Japanese maple near the entrance. It is here that the visitor may suspect the homeowners’ fondness for hostas, since several cultivars are sited at the front steps and others wind around the corner of the house on each side and into the back. An assortment of hellebores is displayed in a raised bed at one side before stepping through the gate which leads into the backyard retreat. Don’t miss the collection of Mouse Ears hostas and other small varieties here on the left
Now 30 years in the making, the Sinke garden is meticulously maintained in all respects, from the woodchipped pathways and garden shed to the patio stone walk along the three-season porch at the rear of the home. Hostas such as ‘Golden Tiara’, ‘Lancifolia’, ‘Lemon Lime’, ‘Sentinels’ and ‘Mighty Mouse’ are strategically placed to edge the meandering walkways. A decorative pot of ‘First Blush’, with its bright red petioles, is proudly displayed on a pedestal.
Brenda is responsible for much of the design with input from her mentor, a local neighbor who likewise had an outstanding garden. In particular, Brenda has added a wide assortment of daylilies, hellebores, Lilium, and Tricyrtis to the gardens, while Bob has collected ferns and other companion plants including a few native wildflowers.
Sheltered along a wood fence at the very back of the parcel is where you will find some of the largest specimens in the garden – ‘Guardian Angel’, ‘Lady in Waiting’, ‘Allegan Emperor’, ‘Big Blue’ and others. This is where you may want to stop for a photo shoot if you have a passion for extremely large hostas.
Scattered throughout the garden are some of Herb and Dorothy Benedict’s seldomly- encountered creations which may spark your interest. In addition, the Sinke garden holds a large collection of “Allegan” hostas, some of which were never introduced including ‘Allegan Moonring’, ‘Allegan Peppermint’, and ‘Allegan Webb’.
Despite the work to maintain it, Bob and Brenda enjoy their garden very much and sincerely hope you will also!
