Garden walks galore slated
June 20, 2012 4:04PM
This conifer garden in Crete Township is one of seven gardens on the Crete Woman's Club's 22nd annual garden walk set for June 26-28.
Updated: August 23, 2012 9:54AM
It’s a busy time for garden walks in the Southland. Here’s a look at a few that are on the way.
BEVERLY HILLS AND MORGAN PARK GARDEN WALK: The East Beverly Association will present this 25th annual event from noon-5 p.m. June 24.
The tour will depart from Beverly Bank & Trust, 1908 W. 103rd St., Chicago, where garden guides will be available.
Guided trolley tours of all the gardens will depart at 12:30 and 1 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis.
Participants can choose to self-guide in their own vehicles or on bikes.
The garden walk, which is co-sponsored by Beverly Bank and the Care of Trees, will showcase nine neighborhood gardens.
Also, master gardeners will be available to answer visitors’ gardening questions and will provide information about worm composting.
And there will be a raffle of original artwork painted by Jack Simmerling, of Heritage Gallery in Chicago’s Beverly community.
Tickets are $10 in advance at County Fair, Beverly Bank, the Blossom Boys, Calabria and Bookies Paperbacks. Tickets are $12 on the day of the event.
All proceeds from the garden walk will benefit Beverly and Morgan Park community gardens.
Information: eastbeverly.com.
CRETE WOMAN’S CLUB’S A DAY IN THE COUNTRY, THEN AND NOW: Seven lovely gardens will be featured on the Crete Woman’s Club’s 22nd annual garden walk, A Day In The Country, Then and Now, from June 26-28.
During the club’s centennial year, gardens will highlight heirloom plants as well as other unique plants and garden features like those found in the conifer garden of Ken Schuch.
He said he was impressed by the uniqueness of conifers at the Fertile Delta, a garden center in Chicago, and that began a 25-year love affair with these plants.
He developed relationships with plant breeders from across the United States while searching for specimens to add to his collection, which features hundreds of varieties of conifers, deciduous trees and plants.
Schuch’s garden has an extensive water feature that includes multiple ponds and waterways built around existing trees and shrubs.
This artistic composition of rare and unusual conifers and deciduous trees showcases the hard work and creativity that goes into a beautiful garden.
Part of his success is the fact that he is not afraid to relocate a specimen if it is not thriving where it is planted.
Gardeners and garden lovers will want to see Schuch’s and the six other beautiful gardens on this walk.
The Crete Woman’s Club’s garden walk offers a garden fair and a buffet lunch at Lincolnshire Country Club in Crete.
Information: cretewomansclub.org, (708) 672-4620.
OAK LAWN GARDEN WALK: This annual event takes place on the fourth Sunday in June when gardens are ablaze with color.
Exhibitors must reside in Oak Lawn but need not be members of the club.
On the day of the walk, tickets are available at the village gazebo and maps are provided.
Knowledgeable members and owners will be on hand to answer questions about plants and garden design.
The club provides each exhibitor with a $50 gift certificate.
Attendees can enjoy refreshments and a free raffle for a basket of garden items.
Profits from the walk support club programs and projects.
Tickets are available in advance from members or by calling (708) 363-2371.
OPEN LANDS OF ORLAND PARK’S GARDEN WALK & BAZAAR: Visit some of Orland Park’s beautiful residential gardens on this annual walk from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. June 24.
The event will step off from the Orland Park Civic Center, 14750 S. Ravinia Ave.
Boutique, garden and craft vendors will be set up in the Civic Center for shopping before or after touring the gardens.
Tickets are available in advance for $15 per person at the Frederick T. Owens Village Hall, 14700 Ravinia Ave., Orland Park, or for $20 per person on the day of the event.
There is no admission fee for the vendor fair.
Information: (708) 403-7275.
