Clemens Gardens

Our
day-trip
outing

along
the
Mississippi

continued
as we walked


up the hill,

through a
side gate

and
into the
sun-loving
Clemens
Gardens.


We climbed steps
to the top tier
to start our tour
of seven-acres
formed into six
European-style gardens.

Enthralled with the fountains, Noah requested I take photos of all four - starting with him crouched beside the Three Graces Fountain under the 24-foot Treillage dome.




Grandma Sue

pointed out

this unique

spiky plant

amidst

colorful blooms.



As storm clouds

gathered overhead,

Grandma Sue and Noah

posed at the rail

overlooking

the gardens'

lower tiers.




A

view

from


the

left...


A

view

from

the

right...




And
another

straight
down

the
center




leads
up to

the 12-foot-tall
cast-iron
fountain

patterned after

a pre-Civil War
fountain in
Columbus, Georgia





and

through

the

Perennial

Garden









where its blooms

point across

the White Garden

and into the

Formal Garden





that
features

bronze
bathing
swans

spewing
water

through the
low, two-tiered

Windsor Court Fountain.


In the Rest Area Garden, we paused before entering The V.C. Rose Garden. Noah stood beside the fourth fountain, one of the tallest in Minnesota. This Renaissance Fountain with Cranes features a sculptured replica of Hebe, cup bearer to the gods.

Curious what an eight-year-old boy sees in such a display along banks of the Mississippi, I asked, "What do you think, Noah?"

My son replied, "I just feel - happiness."


Noah's words resonate the intent of the gardens' founders, Bill and Virginia Clemens.

Local legend has it that while his wife endured multiple sclerosis, her husband sought to give her joy, especially concerning her love of flowers.

When property across the street from their home came up for sale, the Clemens bought and donated it to the city park department with funding for the development and upkeep of a floral garden that his wife could look at out their window and watch grow.

We were privileged to view the garden's latest addition installed only days prior to our visit.

Befittingly, this bronze statue of the married couple stands across the street from the Clemens' home and commemorates the gardens' benefactors as Bill marks 11 years since his wife's death on August 31.

From the Clemens' generosity, much has grown for the neighborhood, the community and their visitors who - like Noah - find Happinesss.