2022 Garden & History Tour

1025 Maycliffe Place

Erica Birkley

Over twenty varieties of hydrangeas and hostas surround a Sears kit home nestled under an ancient oak and ginkgo tree. Native perennials abound from seed and local nurseries, with a raised vegetable and herb garden on the south side. A new L-shaped bed lines the front yard with a white arbor and picket fence. David Austin rambling and shrub roses dot the property. A new shade bed offers ideas for foliage, texture, and moments of color. Many starts and transplants were gifted from Maycliffe & Anderson neighbors. 

7415 State Road

Clara Berger

Clara’s passion has always been to create a garden for all seasons with an array of perennials, shrubs, dwarf conifers and bulbs. She enjoys propagating unusual and garden-worthy plants. She has a mature garden with 40+ years of working with shade, rock gardening, ornaments and nature’s wildlife. “The best part of gardening is trying to tie it all together in harmony.” Clara offers the following garden tips: “If you make mistakes, it’s a chance to learn. You will find the right plant for the right place. Remember to sit backand enjoy your hard work!” Parking: Across the street in the El Coyote parking lot.

1505 Huncrest Drive

Kat Jenkins

Fordhaven Gardens Garden beds on every side of the house feature a mix of sun and shade perennials in a riot of color and texture, including naturalizing native phlox, false indigo, spiderwort, and ferns. Colorful pollinator-friendly annuals including multiple species of salvia provide a constant parade of color as well as natural food sources for hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies, and multiple species of birds nest in boxes, bushes, and trees throughout the property. Many plants overwinter under grow lights in the home’s basement, then come out to bask in the summer sun on decks and in pots scattered throughout the garden beds. The garden, also a National Wildlife Federation certified wildlife habitat, uses natural processes and products to control pests, and as you walk through, you’ll find multiple spots to sit back and soak in the view. Whimsical garden decor includes the west side frog garden as well as gargoyles, cats, and other surprises. *Parking: On Huntcrest or adjacent street

2872 Lengel Road

Clare & Justin Karp

We moved into our home 10 years ago, the majority of the yard was over grown honey suckle and fallen trees, a fter the first storm we quickly realized it also had huge water drainage issues. We had a lot on our plate, my landscaping savvy husband was ready for the challenges. As a mom of four young children, I craved a place for them to explore and play safely. Turning the yard into a thriving garden full of food, wildlife and beauty where the kids run free, well it seemed like a dream and I was all in. We have spent the last decade one project at a time pouring our hearts into our garden and making our dream real. We will be moving soon and wanted to share this garden before we go. We hope we can inspire new ideas for all. Home is our favorite place to be and our garden is our sanctuary, we look forward to sharing it with you.

7354 Rudgate Court

Lisa Kenford

Lisa began her garden in 2006 after locating from Southern California. The garden is an eclectic mix of a formal and cottage garden. Annuals are interspersed among roses, hydrangeas and hostas to provide color and interest. Birdhouses and statues peek between the plants enticing visitors to take a closer look. Three small fountains add tranquility to the setting, and a white lattice gazebo provides a shaded retreat. Lisa offers the following garden tips: “A garden should be a sanctuary and speak to the essence of your being. Don’t be afraid to mix styles and plants to create a tapestry that reflects who you are.” *Parking: Across the street. No parking in front of the house (fire lane).

7056 Goldengate Drive

Kathy Bollmer

In the last 30 years, this relatively small suburban garden has evolved from a shady haven for hostas and ferns to a sunlit oasis welcoming a colorful array of sun loving perennials and annuals. Pollinator plants have been added as well as a topiary couch fronted by a pebble mosaic rug along with other unusual yard art. Off the back patio, a decorative pond with a six foot wide waterfall and friendly goldfish offers a quiet place to relax. As a retired librarian, Kathy’s favorite garden quote comes from Cicero who said, “If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.” *Parking: On Goldengate, or across the street.

890 Eight Mile Road

Anderson Township Heritage Center Arboretum

In January 2021, The Heritage Center property was designated as an Arboretum. An Arboretum by ArbNet’s definition is a museum of woody plants which is curated in a database and updated on some kind of cycle every few years with age, size and condition of the plants. Level I Accreditation was awarded by the ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program and the Morton Arboretum on December 15, 2020. This Level I accreditation was awarded for achieving particular standards of professional practices deemed important for arboreta at this level. Use this  link  to view an interactive map of the Arboretum.

6550 Clough Pike

Anderson Township Historical Society Miller-Leuser Log House

The volunteer members of the AndersonTownship Historical Society want to share with the community the Log House property on Clough Pike and their Urban Farm on Bartels Road. The Log House has many labeled perennials, herbs and ferns. On the Log House property is a “Memory Garden” that is a special place to appreciate and think about those special who built and lived in the log house and those volunteers who have done so much for the society b y giving their time and money to support the mission of the Society. The Log House was built in 1796, the Barn and Annex will be open for visitors *Parking: provided on site and the Hunter Building next door.

2550 Bartels Road

Anderson Township Urban Farm

Take a step back in time and enjoy the peaceful surroundings of the Anderson Urban Farm. Owned by the Anderson Township Historical Society, the Urban Farm started in 2019 with 36 community garden plots. Today we have 77 plots, where people grow flowers and vegetables using many different techniques. There are three houses of different styles and ages on the property, and each is landscaped in a unique way. The small white house at the entrance to the property is called the Bartels House and is surrounded by an old-fashioned cutting garden that includes many native plants for pollinators. The old farmhouse, known as the Browne House, has been adopted by one of our volunteers whose own house is also on the tour! She has created an imaginative design incorporating natural elements from around the property. There is a spectacular beech tree in front of this house that was designated a “Great Tree of Anderson” in 2020. The cement block house, known as the Hornschemeier House, has a more traditional garden in keeping with its 1950’s time period. We are also in the process of installing a “pocket prairie” of native plants on the hillside behind our chicken coop. The highlight of the property is our big red barn, which we have recently finished renovating and will be open for the tour.

*Parking: available at Knights of Columbus