Welcome to My Garden, Patch: The Poppy House

The older homes in downtown Crystal Lake exude a quaintness and charm that have seasoned over the years.

The various styles of architectural designs are interesting, and the towering trees and landscapes add to the area's ambience. Among all the homes, there's one in particular that stands out among the rest right now: "The Poppy House."

Located at 125 S. Williams St., the "Poppy House" is bursting with hues of bright red, yellow and orange. The front lawn is nearly taken over by the three-foot-tall flowering plants, and the various poppy species lead visitors along the side of the house and into the backyard. Perhaps it's the mild winter, or early spring, but for unknown reasons the poppies are huge this year.

"This is the tallest they've ever been," said homeowner Geri Whetham, who has lived at the house for the past 23 years with her husband, John. "When I started the front garden, there was some structure and then I just let things go where they wanted to."

When the poppies stop flowering, and their seeds are dry, Whetham said she shakes the plants to loosen the seeds. Most of the taller poppy plants near Williams Street are annuals, but Whetham has oriental poppies, too, which are perennials, she said.

Mixed among the poppies are sunflowers - mostly planted by the birds -roses, orange tiger lillies and rose campion. Throughout her yard, Whetham has a plethora of garden accents and decor.

When the gardener's yard becomes too overgrown with the many plant species, Whetham digs some out, fills her wheelbarrow and walks down the street to share them with her neighbors.

In April, she and other volunteers dug up enough plants to fill 750 gallon-sized pots, which were sold at St. Paul's United Church of Christ's annual plant sale, a fundraiser held every Mother's Day weekend. The church is located at 485 W. Woodstock St., Crystal Lake.

"I do this because I love it," she said. "Sometimes people come by and just wander through my yard. I let them. I don't mind."