Celebrating History and Gardens in the Heart of Traverse City

 July 20^th, 2023 – 10AM -5PM

 Tickets $15 Children 16 and under FREE

No pets or strollers please

The walk features two historic neighborhoods - Boardman & Central Neighborhoods.

WELCOME to the Friendly Garden Club’s 40th Annual Garden Walk. This year marks our 100th anniversary as a garden club. With that in mind, our “Celebrating History and Gardens” theme focuses on two historic neighborhoods in Traverse City.

The Boardman Neighborhood was once the most prestigious neighborhood in Traverse City, and it hasn’t lost its charm as one of the oldest blocks in the city. Three homes in this area were chosen for their updated exterior home renovations as well as their beautiful, landscaped yards.

Central Neighborhood - Four places were chosen in this historic neighborhood, highlighting the architecture of the period and different garden styles.

We hope you enjoy our walk-through history, special exhibits, and demonstrations along the way:

• Sakura Bonsai Society will have a display of Bonsai trees and shrubs. Society members will be on hand to answer questions.

• Plein air painters will be on hand in some of the gardens.

• Ikebana demonstrations by members of the Ikebana International Club.

• Jeanine Rubert, from Pine Hill Village Gardens will demonstrate how to transition container plantings from one season to the next.

While touring in both neighborhoods, please be respectful: alleys are not intended for through traffic. Take time to note architectural details such as turrets, dormers, Queen Ann decorative gingerbread and wrap-around porches all prevalent in 1800’s – 1890’s. Machinery made possible sunbursts, jig-sawed designs, scalloped shingles, and appliqued forms as decorative elements in many of the historic homes. While many homes have been modernized, they still maintain the charm of years gone by, reflecting the era in which they were built. 

The Friendly Garden Club of Traverse City was organized in 1923. Its objectives are to stimulate knowledge, to promote the love of gardening, landscape, and floral design; to aid in the protection of native trees, plants, and wildlife; and to encourage environmental responsibility and civic beautification. 

Proceeds from this fundraiser allow our club to continue serving the Traverse City community with the following projects:

• The Children’s Sensory Garden
• Open Space Logo Planting
• The Giving Garden, Arbor Day Planting
• Yearly Business Landscape Awards
• The Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park
• Boardman River Conservancy
• Traverse Bay Area Horticulture Department
• Yearly Grants to selected projects.

For more information, visit our website: www.thefriendlygardenclub.org.