Beginning with the 2,500-bulb tulips in May and often stretching into the October because of the later frost near Lake Superior, the garden has become a destination for Duluthians and hotel guests to appreciate.
The garden grew from a backyard hobby into a one-block stretch of shoreline behind the South Pier Inn on Park Point, which is owned by the Sola family.
In addition to many species of flora and fauna, “Betty’s Gardens” contain walking paths, Japanese Zen Gardens, and plenty of unique items that have washed ashore on the beach.
While the garden looks professional – and straight out of the pages of a magazine – the Solas are impressively self-taught.
Seventeen years ago, “All I really knew was ‘Short ones in the front, tall ones in the back,’ Betty Sola said with a laugh when asked how she became such a masterful gardener. Today, Betty’s gardens are considered by many to be the best tulip and perennial garden in Duluth.
“When we started, this area was all weeds and rubble,” she said. With the help of husband Dale, “We brought in all the dirt; moved all the rocks,” beginning the transformation we see today.
Neighbor and friend Patti Peters joined the effort. Over the last 17+ years, and with plenty of TLC, the garden has continued to grow and evolve as she and Patti got inspired. “You know how gardeners are,” Sola noted with a chuckle. “We just keep expanding.”
The Solas’ gardens are enjoyed all spring and summer by guests at the Inn, passersby, and even the Solas’ cats – who enjoy an enviable view from their screened-in “cat penthouse.”
Hbright pink Hollyhocks – grown from seeds given to Betty from the Master Gardener at Glensheen – can grow up to 12’ in height, standing tall and straight on thick, fibrous stalks.
Pink and purple Fuchsia are almost otherworldly in their vibrant hues.
There are gorgeous Hydrangeas, Hybiscus, and Geraniums. An abundance of wild roses offers a lovely color and fragrance. Salvia attracts plenty of pollinators, like hummingbirds and Monarch butterflies. Red Poppies, lush green ferns, Hostas, Black Eyed Susans, Cloeme, and Cosmos capture the eye with their beauty.
There is also Astilboid Tabularis, a curious, extra-large-leafed perennial, which is native to Korea. Betty’s ethereal, fluffy-looking Smoke Tree is another unique addition.
They can be explored by way of a variety of walking paths Dale has constructed from slate and pavers from old turn-of-the-century Duluth streets, which he has been collecting for over 50 years.
Other Unique Finds The Solas’ gardens also contain plenty of other unique finds; some of which have washed up on the beach directly in front of their house; three large, terra cotta Fleur-de-Lis. These artistic, architectural flourishes came from the old Holland Hotel, which stood at 501-503 West Superior Street, where the Radisson Hotel operates today.
The Solas rescued the artifacts, and now three are featured in Betty’s garden.
When the majestic old hotel was demolished by a wrecking ball in the 1960s, its remains were unceremoniously dumped into the bay. However, after a storm several years ago, the remains of a once glorious hotel were washed ashore directly in front of the Solas’ home, and now, they are a beautiful addition to the garden.
Large, beautiful stones with thick, visible veining are scattered throughout the garden paths, too, courtesy of “a friend who is a connoisseur of rocks.” And much of the slate used in their pathways are slabs the Solas found on a beach up the river.
A multi-talented lady Betty Sola is a woman of many talents. Having studied communications, psychology, and English at UMD, she has a background in marketing and many decades of business experience. For more than 35 years she has been the CEO of North American Training Institute, which provides web-based clinical training on gambling addiction treatment, educational youth gambling prevention.
Twenty-five years ago, the Sola family, including Betty, her husband Dale, and his sons Steven and Rand, purchased the land at the foot of the Aerial Lift Bridge (adjacent to the west side of the south pier canal) and built the South Pier Inn.
At that time they also purchased 11 lots of water and shoreline along Superior Bay, now Betty’s playground for her garden.
A gardener’s touch is evident to the guests of South Pier Inn.The Sola family believes that small businesses are the heart and soul of communities and prioritize working with other Duluth small businesses.
Trip Advisor consistently ranks South Pier Inn as the #1 hotel in Duluth and in the Top 10 for the entire state of Minnesota.
Landscaping at the Inn
The Solas have also invested plenty of time in installing some lovely landscaping at South Pier Inn. There is a gorgeous slate patio directly overlooking the Aerial Lift Bridge. A rock walking path hugs the 400 feet of private shoreline on the bay. Cherry trees add plenty of bright visual interest … and a delicious snack for guests.
“Five years ago, the back of the hotel was all just green grass,” Betty said. “We put in a rock path that follows the shoreline and planted ten dwarf cherry trees.”
Beautiful baskets red Geraniums, as well as a show-worthy petunia planter, also add pops of color to the exterior of the Inn.
Many guests view the gardens as a priceless bonus of staying at the Inn as they stroll through on a morning or evening walk.
Pride For the Solas, who have incorporated many years of trial and error to create these magical gardens, the rewards of their bounty have been well worth the effort. “Where we are today, it is so rewarding to see everything through other people’s eyes,” Betty stated. “I noticed that some Duluth Plein Air painters were out sketching the gardens one day,” she added. “That just makes my heart sing. This process has been so joyful for me.”
