Twin Oaks’ garden has been lovingly restored and rebuilt by John Herbst, president of the Indiana Historical Society, who resides in the home.
Photo courtesy Indiana Historical Society
Put on your walking shoes, slather on some sunscreen, grab an umbrella and a hat and head outdoors, for this is the season of garden tours. Most of the tours benefit the neighborhoods, garden clubs, education programs and other projects by the sponsoring groups.
Garden tours are rich with ideas for crafting your own landscape, examples of knockout plant combinations and exposure to plants you never heard of. Here’s a round up.
Historic Meridian Park [1], noon to 6 p.m., May 30 and 31. Start at Trinity Episcopal Church, 3243 N. Meridian St.
The 20th annual Indianapolis Garden Club Garden Walk [2], 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., June 3, five gardens.
Twin Oaks Home and Garden Tour [3], June 5 through 7. Built by L.S. Ayres, this was the late Ruth Lilly’s residence and garden, which is now leased to the Indiana Historical Society.
Meridian Kessler Home-Garden Tour [4], June 6 and 7. Seven homes and gardens are on the tour. This event is more about the homes than the gardens.
Gardens of Zionsville [5], 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., June 20. Includes summer tablescape ideas and an opportunity to bid on containers planted by area vendors. Number of gardens not specified.
Plainfield Garden Club Tour [6], June 20 and 21 features seven gardens.
11th annual Brownsburg Garden Tour, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 27 and 11 a.m. t 4 p.m., Sunday, June 28. Five gardens. Details: Tia Foundation, 317-852-3463.
Irvington Garden Tour [7], 1 to 5 p.m., June 28. Number of gardens not specified.
Woodruff Place Home and Garden Tour [8], June 27 and 28. Six homes and four gardens.
Now that you’re decked out and ready to go, here are some tips to make your tours enjoyable, comfortable and with the best etiquette.
- Wear comfortable shoes. You may be walking on muddy pathways or gravel walkways.
- Anticipate the weather and dress appropriately.
- Stay on the pathways. Wandering off the paths of a garden is like open a closed door in someone’s house.
- Do not take anything except notes and photos. No filching seeds, cutting flowers or taking snippets of plants allowed. There are horror stories from garden tour hosts who have had whole plants stolen from their gardens.
- Think green. Don’t leave any trash or litter.
- Allow time to enjoy the gardens. Remember some may be crowded, so be sure to take time to smell the roses.