Garden walks: Small cost, big ideas
![MillaGreenhouse.jpg](http://www.annarbor.com/greenhouse.jpg)
Monica Milla | Contributor
![MillaPhlomisRusseliana.jpg](http://www.annarbor.com/assets_c/2010/06/PhlomisRusseliana-thumb-200x266-45464.jpg)
On June 12, I attended this year's Ann Arbor Garden Walk. I really like visiting other people's gardens because I appreciate the gardens as they are. Unlike my home garden, my head isn't full of all the things I want to change and all the improvements I want to make one day! I enjoy what I see.
And I always get some great ideas.
Mostly, these ideas come in the form of plants I've never seen before, like this wonderful Jerusalem sage (Phlomis russeliana) to the right. I was aware of the pale purple version, Phlomis tuberosa, but I love the bright yellow more. They are tall, impressive flowers.
![MillaAstrantiaVenice.jpg](http://www.annarbor.com/assets_c/2010/06/AstrantiaVenice-thumb-300x225-45468.jpg)
![MillaButterbur.jpg](http://www.annarbor.com/assets_c/2010/06/butterburr-thumb-300x225-45471.jpg)
I had never seen butterbur (Pedasites japonicus) before either. Check out those leaves — they are huge. (You are seeing the person to the left as a size reference, right? Huge!) The plant likes shade and is a great solution to fill in space under a tree.
![MillaHeucheraFerns.jpg](http://www.annarbor.com/assets_c/2010/06/HeucheraFerns-thumb-300x225-45481.jpg)
I also like getting ideas for combinations, both for plants and for colors and textures. I really like how these coral bells look with these ferns.
![MillaHydrangea.jpg](http://www.annarbor.com/assets_c/2010/06/hydrangea-thumb-300x225-45485.jpg)
Sometimes you just see something fairly common, like this garden hydrangea, in a new way. I always like how the flowers on the edges open first, while most of the center buds are still clasped shut.
![MillaPinkyInJune.jpg](http://www.annarbor.com/assets_c/2010/06/PinkyInJune-thumb-300x225-45489.jpg)
And remember the first photo of the greenhouse? Did you happen to see a pink flamingo on the ledge to the right? It was a one-of-a-kind, artist-made work of metal, and it was nice. While it is also too expensive for me, the idea of a piece of funky pink garden art is not! Just look at how nicely Pinky fits into my garden.
(And if you like flamingos, you'll love next week's entry!)
Remember to keep your eyes open wherever you go, and it's amazing what you'll find.
Upcoming garden walks in the area include:
- Original Northville Garden Walk, July 7, $10, tickets at Gardenviews.
- Chelsea Garden Walk, July 17, $10, tickets at the Garden Mill, the Potting Shed, and Aberdeen Bike.
- Belleville Garden Walk, July 18, $8, tickets at Belleville Area District Library, Antiques on Main, Belleville Area Chamber of Commerce, Main Street Flowers and Garden Fantasy Greenhouse & Florist)
- Ypsilanti Garden Walk, Aug. 21, $10, tickets at Norton’s Flower’s & Gifts, Mantis Pet Supply, Salt City Antiques, and Apple Annie’s Vintage Clothing & Jim MacDonald Antiques
To see photos from the 2009 Ann Arbor Garden walk, click here and page down a bit.
To see photos from the 2008 Ypsilanti Garden Walk, click here.
All photos by Monica Milla | Contributor
Monica Milla, the Garden Faerie, is a master gardener volunteer, garden speaker, garden coach, and author of "Fun with Winter Seed Sowing."
Comments
Monica Milla
Wed, Aug 4, 2010 : 11:14 a.m.
Bath, Are you going to the Ypsi Garden Walk on Aug. 21? Should be fun. I'm writing about it next week. Rhonda, Trust me, gardeners love it when you stop and ask them about their plants! :) MBT, I've got oodles of room--just need to find a seed source for butterbur (the one on the walk was still blooming!) Jean, It's hard for every gardener to really appreciate their own garden. I try very hard to be Zen about it, but it's an ongoing conversation inside my head, lol.
Jean
Sun, Jul 4, 2010 : 8:30 a.m.
Think you for helping with perspective on how to view gardens. Just to enjoy. It is difficult for me to 'just enjoy' my garden. I WOULD DA, COULD DA and SHOULD DA, always raise their voice. The reminder to take it 'as is' is much needed by this gardener.
Ramon
Thu, Jul 1, 2010 : 1:51 p.m.
I'd never seen butterbur before either but I think it is an awesome plant. Always wanted to have room for something huge and awesome like that.
RhondaM
Wed, Jun 30, 2010 : 1:29 a.m.
I actually took a long walk in my neighborhood on the old west side with my 3 yr olds, and we had a great time checking out all the gardens. Some nice neighbors stopped and chatted with Us about their gardens and what the names of the flowers/plants were. It was great! Enjoy the simple things. Thank you for the list.
BethJ
Tue, Jun 29, 2010 : 9:26 p.m.
Thank you for a list of the upcoming garden walks. I really enjoyed the Ann Arbor Garden walk as well. I was amazed at the beautiful gardens and got lots of ideas for my own. Well worth the time and money to take the tour.