Nominated by Friendly Garden Club of Traverse City #69 in District V.
Approved by Gardening Consultant Erie Heermann September 2004
This five-acre former strawberry field site was a blank canvas when the garden started. Transplanting ten quite large maple trees from the woods that surround the property began the transformation. Other gardens were added gradually. The first perennial garden was designed on a side hill where many steps and pathways allow access to the whole garden.
Two rose gardens with about 300 roses back the hillside perennial beds. There is also a rose hedge on the grounds.
A bridge across a double pond connects the rose gardens. The bridge allows observation of both ponds and the many plants, fish and frogs that inhabit them.
Ornamental grasses, roses, barberry, peonies, lilies, allium and creeping phlox, all in shades of pink grow between large rocks on a hundred-foot berm at the front corner of the property. The grasses are left for winter interest and cut down in the spring when daffodils bloom.
An 8-shaped lily garden full of Oriental, Asiatic and Chinese Trumpet lilies, two shade gardens with a variety of hosta, bleeding heart and foxglove, plus ornamental trees and shrubs, arbors, seating areas, fences, bird houses, bird bath and feeders complete this beautiful garden.
