Don't Miss the 19th Annual Rochester Garden Walk

Every gardener is curious about many things –why some plants thrive and others shrivel, why plant combinations work, what makes a pleasing garden design, and the causes of overall successes and failures in our gardens. Garden walks are the perfect way for curious gardeners to explore beautiful local gardens and learn more about this passion. The 19^th annual Rochester Garden Walk is co-sponsored by the Rochester Garden Club and The Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm, and it showcases many gorgeous gardens in the greater Rochester area. This year’s event takes place Thursday, June 21 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Garden walk participants will have access to five unique private gardens and one public gardens.

Of particular interest this year is a garden designed and installed by the metro-Detroit garden columnist and author, Nancy Szerlag. She has worked very hard to bring to life a showpiece that anyone would be thrilled to explore, and she will be available to discuss her work. The five private gardens in and around Rochester, will show each owner’s personality and passions. In addition, guests can visit the Rochester Hills Museum grounds, which are located at the historic Van Hoosen Farm homestead founded in 1840. Participants will be able to stroll through the Calf Barn, the Dairy Barn, the Children’s Garden, the Rochester Hills Museum and historic plantings surrounding the 1840 Van Hoosen Farmhouse.

An Open-Air Market featuring Michigan artisans will be held at the museum grounds from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on walk day. Shoppers will find unique creations in metal designs, garden art, pottery, plants for the garden, fabric work and vintage finds. The marketplace will be inside and around the 1927 Calf Barn which has been completely restored to enable its usage as a rental facility for weddings, receptions and meetings. There will also be a “garden garage sale” with all kinds of reclaimed treasures where shoppers may find the perfect garden essentials. At 11 a.m. Kathy Miller from Foglers Greenhouse and Farm Market will present an entertaining and informative program about the newest gardening craze, succulents! Door prizes will be awarded during the program which is free to garden walk ticket holders.

Local nurseries including Foglers, Tellys and Piechniks, and some area restaurants, are offering purchase discounts and specials when the garden walk ticket is presented. These great offers are listed on the tickets.

Garden walk participants should make time to explore the Children’s Garden on the museum grounds, which boasts hands-on activities such as patchwork checkers and hopscotch. They join other popular features such as the sundial, ABC and butterfly areas. There’s also the Stoney Creek Schoolhouse replica complete with working bell and Kathleen’s Pump in the garden which is planted and maintained by garden club volunteers. Guests can learn about the important role of native bees and insects in gardens at the pollinator habitat structure.

Another perennial favorite of the yearly walk is the Cookie Room located in the renovated Dairy Barn. Garden club members will welcome guests to refresh themselves with cookies and lemonade. Club members always prepare their favorite cookie recipes for this event, so plan to sample from a variety of delicious cookies.

Receipts from this wonderful day will benefit two longstanding Rochester organizations. The Rochester Hill Museum at Van Hoosen Farm and the Rochester Garden Club use profits from this walk to help fund many of their charitable activities. It is a great day for a great cause.

Advance purchase vouchers will be available from May 21 through noon on June 20 from Bordine’s Nursery or Lytle Pharmacy, or from the museum website, rochesterhills.org/musprograms. Cost is $12 in advance or $16 on the day of the event. Beginning June 18, tickets can be purchased at the Rochester Hills Museum, 1005 Van Hoosen Road, Rochester Hills 48306, from 1 to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Ticket purchase and voucher exchange are available on June 21. For more information, visit RochesterGardenClub.org or call 248-656-4663.