Arcola Flower Patch Bed & Breakfast

Extensive Floral & Herb Gardens
If you love gardens, you understand the wisdom of gardens. Victoria Glendinning said, “Science, or para-science, tells us that geraniums bloom better if they are spoken to. But a kind word every now and then is really quite enough. Too much attention, like too much feeding, and weeding and hoeing, inhibits and embarrasses them.” One should not be obsessed with the work, but, rather, delighted with the beauty, and quietly awe-struck by the marvelous variety of flower textures, leaves, colors, and shapes. One can explore and discover. The potpourri garden amazes with its contrasts and appeals to birds, butterflies, and, when the timing is right, humming birds. "Planting a garden for our guests is like painting a picture," says Lynne. "That's why, before planting, we consider color, texture and placement, all of which relate to good composition." The real test of success is realized in the summer and fall.

Arcola Flower Patch Bed & Breakfast
Featured in Midwest Living Magazine,20 Great Weekend Getaways, Travel America, Best Weekend Drives, Country Sampler, and Country Magazine, the Flower Patch Bed and Breakfast lives up to its reputation as one of the premier experiences of a life time.

Tea in the Garden
Culinary celebration of herbs and vegetables invites you to savor the bounty of The Flower Patch holiday tea celebrations. The Arcola-based Victorian bed and breakfast, featured in Midwest Living magazine will host its Holiday High Teas. Lynne's menu might include: Vidalia onion, lobster, or ribbon sandwiches on homemade herb bread, stuffed snow peas, lemony lemon, walnut rhubarb, or Flower Patch apple bread with cranberries fresh ginger gingerbread, rosemary biscotti, scones, gouger cheese with green pepper jelly pastry, along with herbal and English tea served on English china

The Flower Patch Gazebo and Gardens
The Flower Patch Gardens are more than a picture, however. Lynne uses a variety of herbs such as rosemary, tarragon, thyme, and oregano in preparing the legendary breakfast. The garden also produces grapes which are processed into juice, and tomatoes, onions, peppers, beans, and peas. The garden gazebo, the attractive stone garden with its fishpond, and the meandering paths all serve as a pleasant breakaway from conferences and group activities, a place where couples can be alone, or a place where one can relax and forget about puzzles and problems.

Welcome
Built in 1864, the Victorian Italianate style home is located in the heart of Illinois Amish Country

Gazebo at night
After dinner enjoy a glass of wine under the stars.

The Garden Room
A white and light room, the Garden Room with its arched palladium window provides guests with a lovely view of the Flower Patch's main gardens and gazebo. This pleasant, private room features a queen-sized bed and a private bath. The white wicker furniture, hand-stenciled border, and rose trellis carpet all compliment the garden view below.

The Maple Room
The Maple Room has a private bath, and pillow top queen size bed. It is named the Maple Room for the large Maple tree located outside the window. The Maple Room is considered floral and lace in decor. It is highlighted with an antique mantled safe fireplace which offers romantic ambiance.

Fern Room
This cheerful room features fern plants, a tall, full-sized antique bed, and a Lazy-Boy sleeper sofa that folds out into a queen-sized sleeper. The blue and white décor is highlighted by the eyelet lace of the window curtains. The room is steps away from the bath that is shared with the Sunset Room. With its three windows the well-lighted room looks out on the front of the house, the tree-lined Jefferson Street, and the historic Crews house. This flexible room easily accommodates larger groups by combining with the Maple Room as a suite. It has all the amenities of the house including air-conditioning, Crabtree and Evelyn robes, and wireless internet access.

Rose Room
The Rose room on the main floor, right off the sitting room, houses our family vintage pieces. There is a story about everything in the room. It has a four poster, pillow top queen size bed and a large private bath enhanced with hand painted tiles and French doors. There is a small rose garden outside the window.

The Sunset Room
The Sunset Room has a pillow-top, full-sized bed with Laura Ashley bedding. The Coco-Cola collection provides an interesting attraction along with the Norman Rockwell prints. Conveniently located at the top of the stairs, the room shares a bath next door with the Fern Room. The smaller room provides guests with all of the amenities of a bed and breakfast at a discounted price. Guests enjoy the special robes, air-conditioning, and wireless internet access.