Patrick and Patricia Major had a vision for their front yard’create canopied forest trails, throw in an artistic element, add some mosses meandering over an assortment of rocks? then cool it all off with a lake breeze.
Add sunshine, some water and the project is done.
Almost.
‘It’s hard to contain myself to not start another garden bed,? said Patricia, who frequented plant exchanges and is a member of the Eastern Michigan Hosta Society.
The Majors? garden’which features about 1,000 plants and expands along the shoreline of Lake Shinanguag’incorporates a host of shade loving plants including a unique selection of hostas. Unconventional garden face art round out the wooded trails created by Atlas Township couple over the past 20 years.
The Majors? creation will be one of five gardens open to explore from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., July 14 as the Goodrich Garden club hosts an area garden tour between Goodrich and Ortonville. The eleventh annual event will include a variety of gardens from flowers to vegetables to landscape.
‘The gardens are all unique and different featuring a variety of new species and old faithful favorites,? said Kathy Adair, garden club member. ‘All plants on display can be grown right here in Michigan. Garden Club members will be on site to answer your questions.?
Tickets are $7 and available at the Bee Hive, Miller’s Nursery and Cranberries Cafe. Browns’s Do- It Center will have tickets for sale the week before and the day of the tour. Door prize drawings will take place at all five gardens with gifts donated from 26 local merchants. Winners will be notified by phone after the tour. New this year will be a yard art and plant sale at a selected garden. Signs will be posted at area gardens throughout the community. In addition, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Cranberries Cafe, 10250 Hegel Road, will host a salad luncheon the day of the tour with a portion of the proceeds donated to the Goodrich Garden Club. Details: 810-636-4011.