A grand country garden in Montana - Garden Mountain Guide - Brief Article

Sunset, July, 2002 by Amy M. Hinman

* In 1898, Rose Gatiss built a homestead near Kalispell in northwestern Montana. An avid gardener, she planted beds with hardy perennials. During the 1930s her son, Bob, and his wife, Rowena, began planting the existing gardens using many of the perennials from the homestead. Eventually, their efforts grew into a grand estate garden dedicated to Rose. In 1990, Bob Gatiss sold the property to Paul and Elizabeth Siblerud. Today, the Sibleruds graciously allow visitors to stroll the gardens. Elizabeth explains, "We want to pass on the Gatisses' legacy of inviting people to share in this gift and, as Bob Gatiss once said, 'to make friends we may otherwise have never known."'

Mill Creek meanders through the site's 5 acres, which offer stunning views of the Swan Range to the east and more distant Mission Range to the southeast. You might encounter wandering chickens or other pets of the Siblerud children.

The Sibleruds continue to display heirloom perennials such as peonies and summer phlox propagated from the original stock. From late June to the first week of August, delphiniums are in full bloom. Look for the majestic flower spikes of D. x belladonna 'Bellamosum' (dark blue), D. 'King Arthur' (blue with white bees), and Magic Fountains strain (mixed colors). Another knockout is queen of the prairie (Filipendula rubra 'Venusta'), whose lacy, rose pink blooms are perched on 4- to 6-foot-tall stalks. To partly defray the cost of maintaining the gardens, the Sibleruds sell transplants of selected perennials.

Gatiss Gardens is located at 4790 State 35 in Creston, about 10 miles east of Kalispell. The grounds are open from 9 to 9 daily, from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Admission is free. For more information, call (406) 755-2418.