GARDEN TOUR - 2009
June 28th 1pm to 5pm
The Grand Ledge Area Historical Society presents the sixth annual Garden Tour in Grand Ledge. On June 28th, Grand Ledge gardeners invite you to explore an array of unique local gardens to support this Grand Ledge Area Historical Society fundraiser.
Advance tickets are available at the Grand Ledge Library, the Opera House, McDowell Floral, Ace Hardware, and About the Home in downtown Grand Ledge for $6. Day of Tour tickets are $8. Tickets and Tour maps will be available at each of the Tour Stops. Children under 12 tickets are $2. So, grab your sun hat and join us for the Tour!
Tour Stops:
1. The GLAHS Museum - 118 W. Lincoln Street
This little herb garden, boasts a variety of medicinal and culinary herbs thatwould have been grown for daily household use in Victorian Era Grand Ledge. Heirloom flowers such as coreopsis, heliotrope, golden glow and Hollyhocks would have been picked for a Parlor bouquet.
2. The Opera House – 121 S. Bridge Street
The Opera House offers a river bank view from a beautiful gazebo surrounded by rose bushes, memorial trees and four perennial filled memorial gardens. This year you can also take a stroll on the new River Walk.
3. John & Gretchen Gleason – 234 Elizabeth Street
John and Gretchen haven’t let the smaller parameters of their city lot limit their creativity. Entering the back yard through a vine covered arbor, you’ll discover a serene retreat lush with textures and every color of green imaginable. New this season, John, a master gardener and self confessed experimenter, carved out room for several 12” raised beds for a variety of vegetables. Some of the starts were nurtured along in John’s little greenhouse, nestled in the back of the yard.
Kay Ingalls, 347 Front Street
A brightly painted old bicycle, basket brimming with fuchsia geraniums, greetsvisitors to this playfully decorated garden. Kay’s creative flair is demonstrated throughout this small garden space where she has managed to include multiple seating areas and a picnic area, all surrounded by a beautiful display of perennials and annuals. This is a wonderful example of how to make the most of a small space.You will leave with a smile on your face!
5. David & Janee Penfield – 600 E. Scott Street
19 years ago, during a getaway for their first anniversary, the Penfield’s struck up a friendship with a landscape designer. A year later the long term plan to create a retreat inspired destination garden was born. But recently, this quaint stucco house, perched on a corner lot in one of Grand Ledge’s grand old neighborhoods, has undergone some changes. According to David and Janee, the new addition on the house was the catalyst for progressing with the latest landscaping project. The project has included defining two distinct levels in the garden with a new tier of large Wisconsin stone. It’s still a work in progress though, so please avoid the new grass by using the driveway to explore this private garden space.
6. Greg Raycraft – 11917 Woodspointe Drive
This tour stop exemplifies the variety that the Grand Ledge Garden Tour alwaysstrives to offer. Through the garage, visitors will enter the immaculatelygroomed, park like setting that Greg has created. Be sure to enjoy the restful, expansive green spaces from one of the park benches. Be forewarned though! It may be difficult for MSU fans to make it through the garage into the backyard.But, for the full MSU experience you won’t want to miss it. Go Green! Go White!
7. John & Chris Gross – 11735 Arrowhead, Fieldstone Farms
You won’t believe that this is only the 4th summer for this very mature looking border garden. And, if you are interested in knowing what a specific plant is, just look closely, most are labeled. Originally from Chris’s Mother’s garden, the beautiful peonies along the side of the house have travelled with Chris and John from house to house until finally putting down roots in Fieldstone Farms. When asked about her favorite spot in the garden Chris quickly replied, “It would have to be the arbor swing.” Stop by and choose your favorite spot in this lovely garden.
8. David & Rita Burnette, 11622 Millstone, Fieldstone Farms
Save plenty of time to walk the gardens of this beautiful property. Along the way you’ll find an array of plants and trees that range from the ordinary to the extraordinary. Assisted by landscape designer, Aaron Hendy, the Burnettes have created a beautiful bermed front yard that repeats pink Wigelia against purple Japanese Iris and Knockout Roses with an Alaskan Cedar focal point for a stunning display of color and texture. In the backyard, a patch of weeds has been transformed into a serene woodland garden. If you are interested in unusual plant and tree specimens, this is the tour stop for you
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