24th OGGC Garden Tour July 23rd, 2023
Our 24th garden tour offered 8 beautiful and innovative gardens in Fenton, Holly, and Linden.
1. Enjoy your trip through The Shire. From the whimsical bunnies that greet you at the front yard, through the gate and fairy gardens. This garden abounds with hand selected Michigan stones and rocks. You can make a game of counting how many mushrooms in various forms can be found throughout the large back yard. There’s even a secret garden just beyond the butterfly garden. The deck is covered in Wisteria and annuals. Clematis climb up the trellises. Children will love this adorable suburban wonderland.
2. You will appreciate the artistic flair of this Traditional (Roman) poolside garden. The Southern feel of the yard is achieved with plantings of weigela, lavender, and hydrangea on the rolling landscape. So many trees and shrubs abound that it’s difficult to even see neighboring yards. The pool, furnishings, barbecue, and yard art provide the perfect party setting.
3. Mature trees surround this home Up on the Hill. The homeowner has achieved interest with the use of purple and green, dark and light plantings. Fun seating with a tiki bistro set, a butterfly garden and a raised vegetable garden are a few of the features in this beautifully landscaped garden. Large stepping stones and landscape details surround the large pool. Depending on the time of year, there are magnolia, sedum, penstemon, zebra grasses and more to enjoy.
4. This garden is a wash of Bright interspersed with Green. No formal garden, just that which pleases the eye. The front yard includes a tri-color beech tree, flower lilac; the back yard has a lovely iron pagoda with seating, iron flowers and other yard art. Amazing mature trees surround the home which still leaves rooms for many hostas, day lilies, annuals and more. If the sun is out, you may catch a glimpse of the solar powered bird bath/fountain.
5. More canna plants than you may have ever seen in one place in this Pink themed garden on Lobdell Lake. Towering canna plants and shell gardens greet you at the front; follow the path to the back yard facing the lake. Landscape bricks provide steps down toward the lake, after you cross a small bridge traversing a waterfall connecting to the frog pond. More canna plants, tiger grass, lisianthus, geraniums (which the owner winters-over in their sunroom), annuals and more fill the yard.
6. You’ll never think of Down on the Farm the same after viewing these striking gardens. The owner reflects her agrarian background with cleverly displayed farm implements, machinery, tools, and more. There’s a perennial garden with angels, gazing balls, and a variety of plants that bloom throughout the growing season. Multiple potted annuals provide a profusion of color throughout the property. There’s also a rose garden with over a dozen plants, just past the “wishing well” (cleverly covering up a functional well). Don’t miss the collection of pulleys near one of the outbuilding. There is a small grape arbor, fruit trees, fully matured pines, and deciduous trees all lovingly planted by the owners in their 28 years on the property.
7. Boaters stop for photo ops at this Garden on the Lake (Lobdell). The craftsman lake cottage has been completely updated in the 30 years since the owners moved in. Very mature trees dwarf the property. A vegetable and sunflower garden on one side offsets the beautiful perennial garden on the opposite side. The potted King Tut papyrus plants tower over the porch. Lillies, lianthus, zinnias, coral bell, astilbe, and more flow throughout the yard. Window boxes filled with dragon tongue begonia adorn the house. Colorful planters sit on the dock to create a colorful and peaceful setting.
8. This striking 1876 Traditional Victorian farm house has been enhanced over the past 15 years with authentic landscaping features including a large gazebo, meticulously trimmed boxwood hedges, woodland (shade) and succulent gardens. The original owner (Ira Alger) worked a dairy farm on the property and Barnum & Bailey housed some of their circus animals here during the off season. The original barn silo foundation has been preserved and is featured in the garden design. Abundant foliage includes Annabelle hydrangeas, ornamental grasses, annuals, serviceberry tree, and honeysuckle.
