Saline to Celebrate Gardens, Flowers on Saturday

This story was written by Bob Conradi.

The Saline Stone and Thistle Garden Club is hosting a garden walk from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 29. The theme for this year is, “In the Pink." Club members will guide participants through five private gardens and the garden at Saline District Library.

This will be only the third time in their 27 years that the Saline garden club has hosted a garden walk. The last one was eight years ago and was attended by about 250 people. The club hopes to exceed that number this year.

Along with the garden walk, the Sunshine Arrangers Guild will be presenting a flower show at the Saline District Library, open for viewing on Friday afternoon and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The show will include arrangements by guild members and garden cuttings that anyone may enter in the show. The theme is "Music of America."

Proceeds from the garden walk will be used for a Blue Star memorial at the Saline Library to honor veterans. Excess funds will be donated for breast cancer research through St. Joseph Mercy Health System.

But this event is not just about fundraising. It is also "to show how beautiful your backyard can be,” said member Maryanne Backlas. She and her fellow gardeners hope to demonstrate their skills, illustrate the joy of gardening and interest others in joining their group.

Locations of the private gardens will be revealed on the day of the event. Pink heart-shaped balloons and signs will lead the way to these gardens.

Tickets can be purchased in advance for $8 at Pineapple House, Maureen's Designs, Cobblestone Rose, Saline Flowerland, Nature's Garden Center and Ann Arbor Downtown Home and Garden. Tickets may also be bought at the library or the other gardens on the day of the event. The price on the day of the walk will be $10, except at the library.

“It’s a lot of work and the whole garden club really has to be involved in something like this,” said Kit Gunn, organizer of the event, “but I think its going to be a fun Saturday. It’s just so nice to share the gardens and the people in our garden club with the public.”

Anyone wishing to enter the guild's flower show can do so from 8 to 10 a.m. Friday. Cut specimen entry classes include annuals, perennials, shrubs, trees and foliage plants. Cuttings should be placed in a clear glass jar. Arrangements and cuttings will be judged at 10:30 a.m.

For more information on the walk, call 734-994-7455. For more information on the flower show, call 734-476-2453.