A formal garden overlooking the natural landscape of Paint Creek is among seven gardens featured on the 13th annual Rochester Hills Museum Garden Walk June 21, 2012 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Co-sponsored by the Rochester Branch of the Woman’s National Farm and Garden Association, this year’s walk features gardens from small downtown gardens to large country lots in the greater Rochester and Oakland Township area. Guests can also tour the Children’s Garden on the Rochester Hills Museum grounds as well as the Dairy Barn and historic plantings surrounding the 1840 Van Hoosen Farmhouse. 
Situated on 2.5 acres in Rochester Hills, this year’s Preview Party garden presents a spectacular outdoor room leading to more rustic areas that coexist with wildlife. Guests will be given a guided tour at the June 20 preview event from 7 to 9 p.m. of the home’s French country inspired interior which features a two-story garden conservatory with a unique indoor pond. There will be appetizers, desserts, music, and plein air painters with refreshments served from a magnificent wine cellar. Lorrie Ann Minock of Final Touch Designs in Rochester will be offering permanent botanicals including wreaths and table arrangements with a portion of proceeds benefiting the Museum. There will be informal modeling of garden chic looks by Janet Varner of Rochester. A silent auction featuring items donated by local businesses will also take place. Tickets are $50 per couple or $30 individual and include a ticket for the next day’s walk.
New educational programs at the Museum during the Garden Walk will enhance the Open Aire Market from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. where refreshments will be served and plein air artists will paint. Karen Bovio of Specialty Grower’s Nursery will present “Cool Plants for the Shade” at 1 p.m with freelance garden writer and Plantskyyd representative Julia Hofley’s program “Gardening WITH Deer” at 2:30 p.m. Door prizes will be given along with four tickets to the 2013 walk. Advance tickets are available on the museum website through PayPal at www.rochesterhills.org or at the museum on Fridays and Saturdays from 1 to 4 p.m. Cost in advance is $12 ($10 Museum members) or on the event day for $14.
The Rochester Hills Museum is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is located at 1005 Van Hoosen Road off Tienken Road between Rochester and Dequindre Roads. For more information call 248-656-4663
About Tom and Ann Gendich