Dr. Charles Munk’s garden, almost an acre of raised beds of Hostas, ferns, and other plants, is his sanctuary.
“I work with a lot of people all day long,” Munk said. “This is a very quiet, very private place to come home to.”
But he and his wife, Linda Munk, are making an exception next week, opening it to the public for Clarkston Farm and Garden Club’s Garden Walk.
“I’m looking forward to it,” Munk said. “It’s very important. The garden club does good work for the community.”
The Munks’ garden, off Clarkston Road in Independence Township, is one of six residential gardens to be featured in the July 15 tour, said organizer Susan Sajdak.
“When choosing gardens, we look for a variety ? homes, condos, farms, Japanese gardens, we run the gamut,” Sajdak said.
Proceeds are used for scholarships for Clarkston students and teachers, she said.
“In these difficult economic times, a lot of families need help,” Munk said. “Scholarships for kids are great. We want to help with the cause. I love plants and helping people ? that’s what this is for.”
At the Munks’ garden, walkers will see more than 50 varieties of Hosta. It all started about 20 years ago, soon after they moved in.
“A friend gave us a Hosta plant as a house-warming present,” Munk said. “Its a heavily wooded lot. We couldn’t grow grass there because of the needles, but the Hosta grows.”
Varieties include different shades and tints of green, textures, and shape, said Sajdak, who will serve as docent for the Munks’ garden during the Garden Walk.
“I like Hostas,” she said. “There are more than 2,000 varieties in the United States.”
Much of the garden’s design was determined naturally, Munk said.
“Grass wasn’t going to happen in that spot,” he said. “Mother Nature deals the cards and I play them ? it’s very relaxing how it all fits together.”
Clarkston Garden Walk, which also includes Independence Township Library gardens, McLaren’s Healing Garden, and Bittersweet Farm, which raises vegetables for the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan, is 12-7 p.m., Wednesday, July 15. Admission is $15 for the walk, and $22 for walk and lunch at 11 a.m., Community Education Building, 6558 Waldon Road.
“We’re always looking for gardens to feature in next year’s walk,” Sajdak said.
“I’m excited to see all the others on the tour, too,” Munk said. “I’ll take pictures, take notes, and get ideas.”
The fundraiser benefits the club’s yearly plantings at the library, Main Street planters, educational programs, scholarships, and educational grants. For more information, check www.clarkstongardenclub.org.