Mount Clemens

Garden Walk returns for 14th season

By Julie Snyder
C & G Staff Writer

‘MOUNT CLEMENS — Need some ideas on how to make your backyard garden a little more unique this summer? Take a look at some of the 11 gardens that will be featured on this year’s Crocker House Garden Tour June 23, because director Kim Parr says they are some of the most exceptional in the area.

“It’s a lot of work finding gardens to feature in the walk because people are so humble,” Parr said. “I basically have to drive around and sneak around to get a closer look at the gardens.”

A friendly note on the homeowner’s door requesting an even closer look or an invitation to be a part of the annual Garden Walk sometimes does the trick.

“It’s a nice way to encourage beautification in the community,” Parr said of the annual walk, which began in 1998. “There are so many beautiful homes in the area, and when you add a garden, it just adds so much more.”

This year’s Crocker House Garden Walk, which is organized by the Crocker House Museum and Macomb County Historical Society, will begin at 9 a.m. at the Crocker House Victorian Garden, 15 Union Street in Mount Clemens. Maps can be picked up there, and Parr said revelers are able to drive themselves to each home garden featured on the walk.

“That way they can stay as long as they want at each garden,” she said.

Each of this year’s gardens is in Mount Clemens.

Returning to the Garden Walk this year is the Garden Boutique, located behind a restored 1890s home on Miller Street. Parr said the yard encompasses the property behind the house along with the land located behind two adjacent homes, leaving plenty of room for some of the garden vendors who will be on hand until the walk ends at 4 p.m.

Parr said people can leave straight away to tour the gardens, or they can stay at the Crocker House garden where there will be a lace-making presentation, as well as a presentation on hostas given by Andy Torvinen, a founding member of the Metro Detroit Hosta Society. A continental breakfast of home-made scones, hard-boiled eggs, fresh fruit and hot Three Wives Tea will also be served during the hosta presentation.

Reservations for the breakfast must be made prior to the walk, and tickets for the breakfast presentation should be purchased the same time as the walk tickets are purchased. Tickets for the breakfast are limited and are $8 for members of the Macomb County Historical Society and $10 for nonmembers. Tickets for the Garden Walk are $10 for members of the Macomb County Historical Society and $15 for nonmembers. Tickets can be purchased by calling (586) 465-2488.

Parr said the 2012 Garden Walk will be just as much of a crowd pleaser as it has been in previous years.

“I look for gardens that are not done by a landscaping company,” Parr said. “I look for those that are interesting and have variety and show people’s creativeness.”

For more information, go to www.crockerhousemuseum.com.
 

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Julie Snyder at jsnyder@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1039.