The 22nd annual Rochester Garden Walk will provide an opportunity to spend the day learning about plants and gardens, while being inspired by plantings and landscapes. This event is co-sponsored by the Rochester Garden Club and The Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm, and it highlights many gardens in the greater Rochester area. This year’s event takes place Thursday, June 16, from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
The private gardens on the tour – in and around Rochester – show each owner’s personality and passions. Participants will see gardens of all sizes with unique plants, gorgeous landscapes, and fascinating garden art. In addition, guests can visit the Rochester Hills Museum grounds, which are located at the historic Van Hoosen Farm homestead. Participants will be able to stroll through the Museum’s Calf Barn, the exhibit space in the Dairy Barn, the historic plantings surrounding the Van Hoosen Farmhouse, and the Children’s Garden – a garden maintained by the Rochester Garden Club and loaded with hands-on activities to keep the little ones amused.
The Rochester Garden Club will host a Native Plant Sale on the museum grounds from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. The club works with the local grower, East Michigan Native Plants, to offer a wide variety of Michigan native plants and shrubs. These plant species have evolved in harmony with the local climate, geology, and other flora and fauna; and when added to the landscape will help preserve and enhance our biodiversity. Customers DO NOT have to attend or purchase tickets to the Garden Walk to purchase plants in the Native Plan Sale.
An Open-Aire Market featuring Michigan artisans will be held at the museum grounds from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. on walk day. Shoppers will find unique creations in metal designs, garden art, lawn games, and more. Shoppers looking for affordable treasures can stop by the “Fleatique” market in the Calf Barn, which will be full of gently used garden art, tools, and other garden delights.
At 11:00 a.m., Matt Colonius from Piechnik’s Garden Gate will present a program titled Discovering Hydrangeas. Door prizes will be awarded during the program that is free to garden walk ticket holders.
Another favorite stop is the Cookie Room located in the renovated Dairy Barn. Garden club members will welcome guests to refresh themselves with complimentary cookies and lemonade. Club members prepare their favorite cookie recipes for this event, so plan to sample a variety of delicious cookies.
Receipts from this wonderful day will benefit two long standing Rochester organizations. The Rochester Hills 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 tickets will be available from May 23 through noon on June 15 from the museum website and from Auburn Oaks Garden Center,
Foglers Greenhouse, Bordine’s Nursery (Rochester location only), Lytle Pharmacy, Telly’s Greenhouse and Piechnik’s Garden Gate. Cost is $12 in advance or $16 on the day of the event.
Pre-order tickets now. Beginning June 13, tickets can be exchanged for printed guides with garden locations and can be purchased in person at the Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm, 1005 Van Hoosen Road, Rochester Hills 48306, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, and all-day Thursday. For more information, visit www.RochesterGardenClub.org or call 248-656-4663.
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