Yelenik Garden
Gayle Yelenik
8022 Belleview
Kansas City, Mo
Gayle got her gardening genes from her grandmother who continued to
love flowers up until the age of 103. When she was looking to buy her
first house, Gayle prioritized having a yard, established trees, and space for
gardens. She was attracted to the Waldo area in south Kansas City for its
location, history (1,000 acres established in 1841,) tree-lined streets, family-
owned businesses, and strong sense of community where neighbors get to
know each other. Gayle has lived in her 70+year old house for 25 years.
Gayle credits one of her neighbors and good friend, Mary Niemeyer,
whose garden is also on the tour, with having “aided and abetted” her on
her wonderful daylily journey. Gayle had a few unidentified daylilies that
another friend had given her, but it was in the summer of 2005 when she
really got hooked. Mary introduced her to Lenington Gardens in Kansas
City, Missouri. Gayle and Mary became regulars and enjoyed talking and
learning about daylilies from Bob and Alice Lenington. Gayle joined the
MoKan Daylily Society and has been active on the Membership and
Education committee, has helped with cleanings, plants sales, library
displays and this Region 11 annual meeting.
Gayle’s backyard is informal and includes a variety of daylilies, both older
and newer, 350 cultivars at last count! There are trees, shrubs, perennials,
herbs, vegetables, annuals, windchimes, and bird and hummingbird
feeders. She likes growing plants that attract butterflies, hummingbirds,
and beneficial insects to the gardens. She admits to not liking to mow, so
each year she adds another flowerbed. Companion plantings include:
hostas, coral bells, phlox, lythrum, baptisia, rose of Sharon, weigela, butterfly
bushes, yarrow, shasta daisies, coneflowers, milkweed, hyssop, blanket
flower, and herbs. One big challenge was keeping the rabbits out of her
gardens. Gayle solved this problem by fastening 20-inch high chicken wire
to the chainlink fence all around the perimeter of the yard. She says that this
method of bunnyproofing was very tedious, but it has worked!
The gardens have natural edgings and curved stone pathways for better
access. A six-foot western red cedar fence was installed in 2010, and has
significantly improved the look and feel of the gardens. The fence has
contributed to a more peaceful and private space in which to enjoy the
flowers, have a cup of morning coffee in the bench garden, read a book,
watch the birds and butterflies, and share the gardens with others. Gayle
says that it’s even made weeding more peaceful!
There are three sitting areas, each surrounded by daylilies and offering a
different perspective of the gardens. There is a flagstone patio by the
house, a small area by an old fireplace at the back of the yard, and a bench
garden in one corner. Gayle invites you to sit a bit if you have a few
minutes to spare on the tour. She has also dabbled in creating garden art:
a rebar trellis, stepping stones, and pottery. She likes using her garden too:
cooking with herbs, harvesting vegetables, having fresh cut flowers
and photographing daylilies to make garden note cards. Gayle says she
loves gardening for its beauty, rewards, health benefits, and surprises;
it’s like having a second home, but you don’t have to go far to be there!