1313 Clay Street
The Country Willows Inn, at 1313 Clay Street, is the Ashland Garden Club’s Garden of the Month for July. It is an extraordinary property, five acres in all, that has been lovingly developed by Kara and Dan Burian since they purchased the property in 2010. The original farmhouse dates to 1896. They added the small picturesque barn near the entrance to the property and have converted the original barn mostly to lodging space.
Dan, who has a keen eye for design, has directed the many landscape projects, relying on Sage Hill for hardscape installation, Karen Marshall of Naturescapes Designs for plant selection and design advice, Jenny Kuehnle of Ahimsa Gardens for maintenance of the raised beds and container plantings, and L&M for lawn, orchard, and planting bed maintenance. Every project has been created with pollinators in mind. They recently added a birding program to the list of amenities that they offer at the Inn.
The Burians have enhanced ponds and streams. They are working assiduously to convert open pastures into wildflower meadows, battling native grasses that want to dominate. Right now in the garden, hydrangea, gaura, lilies, agapanthus, and crocosmia are at their best. In the Spring, rhododendrons, weeping cherry trees, and Spring wildflowers abound. At other times, the lavender, ornamental grasses, and blueberries are sensational. The willow tree is always majestic.
In an effort to assure privacy and tranquility for guests of the Inn, they ask that Ashlanders hoping to see the gardens call first to schedule a convenient and non-disruptive time. See more beautiful photographs and learn more about the Country Willows Inn at their website: https://countrywillowsinn.com/.
et five years ago and immediately set about reworking the small garden spaces. Two years ago, they were among the first to take advantage of the City of Ashland’s lawn replacement program. Throughout the process of developing the wonderful garden that they have today, they have had assistance from Regenesis Ecological Design of Ashland.
Most recently theirs was designated an official Pollinator Garden by Bee City USA of Ashland, and they have a pretty, new sign to prove it. The Hunsakers commissioned Nick David of Jefferson Woodwright to make a very nice frame for the sign, to coordinate with the craftsman architecture of their home. They have colorful Monarch caterpillars in residence, happily munching on various kinds of milkweed that they introduced to a side yard. Carolyn and Don, together, spend about five hours a week maintaining this beautiful garden.
This is a modest-size garden, with a front of 800 square feet, side yards of about 250 square feet each, and natural areas off the alley adding about 200 square feet more, but they have capitalized on the efficient use of space, with plants on trellises for height that also provide privacy. On one side, the garden opens out to reveal an inviting patio, just off the kitchen, complete with a refreshing water feature. On the other side, outdoor rooms were created with arbors and a variety of vines, including star jasmine and honeysuckle. On this side, a garden shed has a living roof, comprised of sedum, small primroses, bitterroot, and other small plants. A tiny solar panel provides power for the light inside the shed.
Near the patio in back, there is a concrete raised bed that has primarily edible plants such as cucumber, tomatoes, eggplant, and peppers, with mint, basil, rosemary, and marigolds to discourage unwelcome creatures. Larger, non-edible plants in this area include a Japanese maple, buddleja, anemone, Sochi Tea camellia, and euphorbia.
With seating and shade, there are several places to relax and enjoy the garden. The Adirondack chairs remind Leslie of her youth on the East coast. The overall ambience is of a slower, quieter time.