Garden walks inspire, educate

By Nancy Maes | Special to the Tribune

May 11, 2008

Special to the Tribune

Garden walks are a feast for the senses: Colorful, fragrant flowers in bloom; koi darting about in ponds; breezes rustling through native grasses; flavorful fruits, vegetables and herbs waiting to be gathered; plants sprouting from containers on decks and patios and decorating woodland areas.

The gardens also can be a source of inspiration — and education — where you can discover artistic designs and the art and science of Midwestern gardening.

And the tours often serve another purpose as well. Many raise funds for garden clubs, beautification projects, neighborhood organizations and non-profit groups. The majority of the tours are self-guided and occasionally require driving from one location to another; some offer shuttle bus service.

Weather conditions seldom prevent events from taking place; most run rain or shine. For additional walks, see the Garden Clubs of Illinois Web site, gardenglories.org.

Garden walks taking place later in the summer will be listed in upcoming Home&Garden sections.

MAY

May 18: A tour that focuses on the Arts and Crafts influence on the house and garden is presented by the Frederick Law Olmsted Society of Riverside. It includes the gardens Jens Jensen designed for Frank Lloyd Wright's Coonley Estate. Cost: $35 in advance, $40 day of event. Hours: noon to 5 p.m. Call: 708-442-7906.

May 21 (also June 11, July 23): One-hour tours of the organic, edible Chicago garden of Rick Bayless, chef/owner of Frontera Grill and Topolobampo, by garden manager Bill Shores. Cost: $20. Hours: 6:30 p.m. Visit: urbanedible.blogspot.com.

JUNE

June 7: The Glen Ellyn Garden Walk, sponsored by Bridge Communities, features six private gardens. Master Gardeners will be present to answer questions. Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cost: $20 through June 4, $25 beginning June 5. Call: 630-545-0610, or visit bridgecommunities.org.

June 7: "A Celebration of Home & Garden," which benefits the Heartland Alliance, is a tour of country homes and gardens in Southwestern Michigan. Cost: $100. Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. CST. Call: 312-660-1313 or visit heartlandalliance.org.

June 7-8: "The Secret Gardens of Utica," by the Utica Garden Club, includes a sale featuring plants from members' gardens. Cost: $8; $17 for trolley guided tour. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 7, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 8. Call: 800-868-7625, ext. 386.

June 8: Hosted by the Glenview Gardeners, this free walk includes the gardens of three members and the sale of plants from members' gardens and other garden items. Hours: 1 to 4 p.m. Call: 847-729-7729,or visit www.glenviewgardeners.org.

June 11 (also July 23): See May 21 listing for information on the tour of Rick Bayless' Chicago garden.

June 14: "Art in the Garden and Joe in the Kitchen," the annual garden walk presented by the Historic Pullman Garden Club with the Pullman State Historic Site, showcases garden art by local artists. Also featured are cooking demonstrations by local resident, chef Joe Dietz, and a boutique. Cost: $12 in advance, $15 day of event. Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call: 773-568-2441, or visit hpgc.org.

June 18: "The Glorious Gardens of Hinsdale" showcases seven gardens and includes trolley service, boutique shopping, a plant sale and a box lunch. Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; boutique: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cost: $40 in advance, $15 box lunch, $45 day of event. Call: 630-323-3977.

June 18: "Garden Magic," presented by the North Shore Garden Club, showcases six gardens in Highland Park, Glencoe and Lake Forest, including a water, rock and foliage garden with an Asian ambience. Cost: $20 in advance, $25 day of event. Hours: 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Call: 847-432-8513, gardencentral.org/illinois/northshore.

June 19: The 16th Annual Woodstock Garden Walk, presented by the Woodstock Professional and Business Women, features six gardens. Cost: $13 in advance, $15 day of event. Hours: 1 to 8 p.m. Call: 815-338-2436, or visit wpbw.org.

June 20: The 12th annual self-guided tour of 10 private gardens in Bloomington-Normal starts at the David Davis Mansion and highlights 10 private gardens. Cost: $12 in advance, $15 on weekend of event, $7 for children, $10 for a family of four for a hands-on activity on Saturday called "Kids in the Garden." Hours: 1 to 8 p.m. June 20, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. June 21. Call: 309-828-1084 or visit gloriousgardens.tripod.com.