Justin Trails Resort gardens have flowers blooming nearly year round: snowdrops on warm March days, delicate yellow crocus, purple hyacinths, fragrant pink crab apple blossoms in April, millions of blue/yellow pansies, maroon primroses in May, pale blue campannella, purple Rhododendron in June, red roses, yellow Stella d ‘Oro day lilies in July, black eyes Susan, lavender hostas, golden evening primrose in August, tall stately, blue delphiniums in September, burgundy, gold, white Chrysanthemums in October, pumpkins and corn shocks for November and evergreen boughs with red ribbons for winter window boxes.
The gardens at Justin Trails Resort LLC have been growing for many years. The oldest members of the garden are 2 huge silver maples approximately 125 years old. The tall white pine was planted in 1950 by Kathryn Justin, Don’s mother. She also planted the 8 foot tall yews in front of the garage, a crab apple tree, seven sisters rose bush and a dozen green hostas.
In 1982, a landscape plan was created to give the yard more green color in winter. The taxus cuspadata under the white pine were planted to steer guests to the front door. Burning bushes, gold finger potentilla, barberry plants and a variety of yews give color.
After opening the bed and breakfast, color became more important. Donna’s favorite shopping places became nurseries, garden centers and green houses. A pink estilbe and dwarf white estilbe bed was planted south of the house. Chocolate ruffles coral bells grace the walkway.
Travertine stone was gathered from Winona, MN to create a patio and stone wall. Fill was added to create a level walkway to the house to eliminate the need for steps. Hydrangeas, smoke bushes, Chinese willow, hostas and an azalea were planted around the Paul Bunyan cabin.
6,000 street bricks were purchased and laid by Don in herringbone, full weave, half weave, and alternate patterns to connect cabins, the house, lodge and Cottage. A split rail fence separates the front of the yard from the neighbor’s cornfield.
Berms of soil with boxwood and arborvitae create outdoor rooms for the foursquare house and Cottage. A fort fence from a B & B in Wauwatosa and globe arborvitae creates privacy for the Little House. A split rail fence and brick path create a garden for Don & Donna at their entrance on the west side of the house. Birds planted wild strawberries.
Two Fat Albert pines, blue spruce, Colorado Spruce, hemlock, Austrian pines, River birch and high bush cranberries grace the former hillside cow yard. Black eyes Susan create a colorful spot next to the windmill. A patch of day lilies, Oriental and Asiatic lilies rotate blooming all summer.
Magnolia, spruce, winterberry, 3 vibernum, and hazelnut bushes grace the tent area for weddings north of the Paul Bunyan cabin. Strawberries, hostas, black eyes Susan, evening primrose, buttercups and yarrow bloom profusely throughout the summer. A playhouse and a large grassy area is perfect for families to play games.
Honeysuckle vine graces the arbor, trumpet vines climb the walls of the Comfort Coop and English ivy climbs a lattice fence. Bittersweet climbs the white cow yard fence.
The east garden is bordered with forsythia, white coneflowers, yucca, potentilla, witch hazel, and roses.
Log chairs, a log swing, glider rockers and Adirondack chairs invite guests to sit a spell. Guests are invited to select plants to purchase for their own gardens. Donna will dig and pot them for you.
A new open porch entrance to the 1920 foursquare house creates a perfect spot for brides to walk to the patio for their wedding ceremony.
Naturally we create joy with quality lodging and recreation in a secluded coulee in the Driftless Area of Southwest Wisconsin.
Forestry Hike at Justin Trails near Sparta June 8
Hunt for Spring Ephemerals
Birds of Spring 