Grand Marais Garden Tour

On Saturday, June 26, 2010, from 10am to 4pm, the Grand Marais Garden Tour will feature 12 lovely flower and vegetable gardens in Grand Marais, MI on beautiful Grand Marais Bay in the upper peninsula of Michigan.

While the gardens are the focus, the tour offers so much more!

Included in the tour of gardens are some special features that Grand Marais is honored to share with this year's visitors. There are three stops on the tour that you won't find on other garden tours: The Pickle Barrel Historic Iris Display Garden, the Old Post Office Museum Rose Garden, and the Grand Marais Public School's Edible Garden. The Iris Garden features old varieties with some dating before 1935. The Rose Garden will feature more than 70 kinds of roses and the School Garden is a culmination of the work of students ages 5-18 where they experience "the (gardening) process and see where food comes from and how they are a part of that process".

An English Tea will be offered from Noon to 2 pm. This traditional "low" tea or afternoon tea will include a selection of teas, sandwiches and dessert breads at a cost of $7.00 per person. The tea will be served on the beautiful lawn of George and Marion Curtis and will be in memoriam of Marion. This event will be tent covered in case on inclement weather.

Two very special seminars will be held in conjunction with the garden tour. These seminars are an absolute "do not miss" opportunity for the avid gardener. Neil Moran, of Sault Ste. Marie, is a horticulture instructor and author of North Country Gardening: Simple Secrets to successful Northern Gardening. He will relate what he knows about growing flowers and vegetables in cold climates. Nancy McDonald of Grand Marais will present
The Daylily Explosion: Making sense of 50,000 Choices. Some kind of Daylily will fit into every garden and Nancy will help you make the right choices for your garden space.

As in past years you will be able to purchase plants donated by local gardeners at our plant sale, bid on innovative and unique items during our Silent Auction, and enjoy our delightful Music and Art on the Green.

This year our musicians in the gardens and the green space will include the 'Ski Band featuring Ira McDonald at the keyboard; Ann and Will Rowland, a well known Michigan duo; pianist Bob Williams; flutist Elizabeth Magyar; the Schlabach Family's Old Time Fiddle and Dulcimer Music; solo performer Nick Dongvillo presenting his talents on guitar, mandolin & vocals; duo Bill and Laura Baudoux on Guitar and Violin; and a local favorite, Al Young on guitar & vocals.

Admission is $10 per person. For more information or to reserve tickets, call (906) 494-2299.