Rochester Garden Walk

The annual Rochester Garden Walk is offering a wonderful selection of private gardens to satisfy the most discerning and curious gardeners. These picture-perfect gardens will inspire walkers with ideas they can incorporate in their own gardens. The daylong event will give walkers a relaxing opportunity to stroll, learn and enjoy the beautiful Rochester area. This event is co-sponsored by the Rochester Garden Club and The Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm. This year’s event takes place Thursday, June 18, from 10 am to 5 pm.

In addition to strolling through private grounds, guests can visit the Nationally Registered Historic Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm. Participants will be able to walk through several of the Museum’s buildings and exhibition spaces, as well as the historic plantings across the sixteen sprawling acres. Be sure to visit the award-winning Children’s Garden, a beautiful garden maintained by the Rochester Garden Club, and loaded with hands-on activities to keep the little ones amused. Walkers looking for affordable garden treasures can stop by the “Fleatique” market inside the Calf Barn which will be chock-full of gently used garden art, tools and other household delights.

The Rochester Garden Club will also host a Native Plant Sale on the museum grounds from 9:30 am to 3 pm. We work with a 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. To preorder, go to www.RochesterGardenClub.org. Customers DO NOT have to purchase tickets to the Garden Walk to purchase these plants.

At 10:30 am we are offering a presentation called “Let’s Talk About It: Natives, Nativars and Cultivars,” presented by the Auburn Oaks Team. The newfound knowledge can be used to purchase just the right native plants after the talk. The talk will be held in the Calf Barn at the Van Hoosen Farm Museum. Native plants are sold just outside of the Calf Barn.

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

Advance purchase tickets will be available from Eventbrite through the Museum website, www.rochesterhills.org/musprograms and from Auburn Oaks Garden Center, Bordine’s Nursery (Rochester location only), Foglers Greenhouse, and Piechnik’s Garden Gate. The cost is $16 in advance or $20 on the day of the event.

Ticket exchange (and purchase of) Garden Guides with the garden locations will be available at the Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm, 1005 Van Hoosen Road, Rochester Hills 48306 on June 15, 16 and 17 from 1 to 4 pm. Garden Guides can be purchased all day on the day of the Garden Walk. For more information, visit RochesterGardenClub.org or call 248-656-4663.

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 the walk to help fund many of their charitable activities. It is a great day for a great cause.