At Clarkston Farm and Garden Club’s 12th annual Garden Walk on July 19, an abundance of natives will be only one of the highlights, said Debi Moore, event chair.
Altogether, six lovely gardens with blooms galore are featured on this year’s walk.
A list of plantings will be available at all the gardens the day of the walk, Moore said.
Garden Club members, many master gardeners and all experienced gardeners, and some homeowners will be available at each site.
Kevin and Joy Kelly, who have called on their many travels to Germany, France, and Kevin’s family homestead in Ireland, have brought European touches to their suburban landscape they have gardened for 30-plus years.
The walk will feature their specimen trees and lush lawn. His favorite element is the Rose of Sharon in August; hers the seasonal changes in the white crab tree.
Both like the challenge of incorporating ideas from their travels into their own yard.
For Margie Lopez, serenity is key as she gardens along the rippling waters at the back of her site, also on this year’s walk.
Between the colorful front beds and the birds, bees and butterflies visiting the back, she finds it hard to pick a favorite spot and happy to share with visitors the gardening efforts developed when she first fell in love with gardening about 14 years ago. An injury while gardening at her parents has put additional gardening chores on handyman Jeff George.
Returning is the Artisan Market on the library grounds and restaurant specials for Garden Walk attendees at several area restaurants.
The walk is 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 19, with the Artisan Market at the library, 11a.m. to 5 p.m. Advance tickets are $15 before the walk at Bordine’s, Clarkston Area Chamber of Commerce, Gateway, Harrisons, and Clarkston Independence District Library. On the day of the walk, tickets are $18 at the booth on the library grounds.
Along with maintaining the downtown planters and the library grounds, the club routinely dispenses college scholarships, four just last week, and plant- and environment-based program funding to students and teachers.
For more information, check www.clarkstongardenclub.org.
– Susan Sajdak