2026 Garden Tours

Upcoming Tours	↓ Past tours
Saturday July 18 11am	Oakland Hills Farm & Garden, hosted by Nicolette Jenaras 3265 Stoney Creek Road, Oakland Township Join us for a tour of the lavender fields at Oakland Hills Farm & Gardens. This complimentary tour includes an opportunity to pick your own lavender – $5 a bundle – while enjoying the beauty of the farm. Those who wish to extend their visit are invited to stay for a garden brunch and mini-class. For $20 per person, guests will enjoy a farm-to-table brunch featuring quiche, salad, lavender lemonade, and fresh-baked goods. Following brunch, there will be a mini-class with participants leaving with their own lavender takeaway. Seating for the brunch and mini-class is limited. To reserve your spot, please RSVP to Nicolette at 248-361-4606 with your name and the number of attendees. Payment is due on the day of the event.
Saturday July 25 10am	Stage Nature Center, hosted by Julie Ann Wang 6685 Coolidge Hwy., Troy Stage’s native gardens began at the request of the Troy Nature Society Board members. A group of newly graduated MSU Extension Master Gardeners were asked to revamp an abandoned garden bed located at the front of the center. The goal was to identify all existing plant species, remove invasive species and preserve native plants. Paths were formed, educational signage created and new goals were set. As time went by and interest grew in the project, the volunteer base was expanded to include high school and college students, corporate work groups, and interested residents of the surrounding community. The main goal of the gardens is educate visitors on the important role native plants play in supporting a fully functioning ecosystem and to inspire others to create native plant gardens. Currently, the native gardens include a Monarch Waystation, and Rain and Keystone plants gardens. In addition to growing and maintaining the gardens, volunteers assist with invasive species removal, seed collection and winter seed sowing. Two native plant sales are held each year. After the tour, we encourage attendees to explore the Center’s 100 acres, two miles of trails, the exhibition lobby, and rescued raptors enclosure.
Saturday July 25 10am – 1pm	Jean Persely’s Gardens 7381 Omo Road, Armada Join Jean for her annual garden walk and native plant sale. With more than 300 native plant species and a smattering of exotics, there is something for everyone. Curious about how a plant grows before you add it to your yard? Stop by and see how these are doing in Jean’s gardens – mostly sun, some shad, average moisture, primarily loam with some clay. Come and stroll the yard. A guided tour begins at 11 am.In addition, the following organizations/companies will be on site: East Michigan Native Plants – mobile native plant nursery with a wide variety of plants available for purchase Wild Ginger Woodlands – native woodland plants for purchase Honey Hollow Apiary – local raw honey available Through the Fire – nature themed items available Black Cat Pottery – handcrafted nature inspired pottery Six Rivers Land Conservancy – info booth with their new native plant garden certication signs
Saturday August 1 10am	Louise Hartung & Jim Fostey’s Gardens 3400 Hixon Road, Oakland Township Tour five areas: Louise’s pollinator garden; Jim’s vegetable garden and orchard; the prairie; the meadows; and a woodland garden. Please wear long pants, tucked into socks. Use insect repellent and prepare for walking in sunny, dry uplands.

Past Tours	↑ Upcoming tours
Tuesday May 12 11:15am	Notre Dame Prep High School 1300 Giddings Road, Pontiac Visit the high school’s greenhouse and native gardens—an inspiring space where students and volunteers are growing both plants and knowledge.During the 2024–2025 school year, more than 1,100 native flowers were planted across eight of the 11 garden beds behind the greenhouse. This effort was made possible with support from the Notre Dame Prep Parents Club, National Honor Society, and other student groups. The gardens have since been certified as a Monarch Waystation featuring a variety of milkweed and nectar-rich plants that support monarch butterflies throughout their life cycle and migration. The space has also been recognized by the Wildflower Association of Michigan for its role in increasing biodiversity through native plantings. Inside the greenhouse, visitors will find a wide variety of plants in production, including hanging baskets, strawberries, ferns, herbs, peppers, lettuce, and flowers. Many of these are grown using innovative hydroponic methods, such as Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) tables and Dutch bucket systems. These systems deliver nutrient-rich water directly to plant roots, supporting efficient, soil-free growing—commonly used for crops like tomatoes, peas, and cucumbers.
Saturday May 16 10am	Fred A. Erb Arboretum 3500 Marais, Royal Oak Join us for a guided tour of the Fred A. Erb Arboretum, a developing park located just behind the Royal Oak Senior Center. Established in 2007, the arboretum is designed to showcase a unique collection of native trees and plants not found in nearby Tenhave Woods. The tour begins at 10 a.m., and guests are encouraged to explore Tenhave Woods afterward at their leisure. Before the tour, stop by the Royal Oak Garden Club’s Spring Perennial Plant Exchange, happening from 9–11 a.m. at the Senior Center—bring plants to share and discover new additions for your garden!
Sunday June 28 1PM	Mike Hobig’s House 23052 Oakwood Ave., Eastpointe Join us for a stroll through a 20-year-old suburban garden where a passion for winding paths, natural stonework, and a “chaos garden” aesthetic creates a relaxed, exploratory experience. Volunteer plants are often left to thrive where they choose, adding to the garden’s natural character and sense of discovery. The landscape includes woodland, prairie, and wetland areas, along with native shrubs such as spicebush, highbush cranberry, and ninebark. Native and native-adjacent plants from a variety of regional sources contribute to a garden designed for wandering and enjoyment rather than formal display. The garage has been styled as a small garden house, and a rear patio built with reclaimed Detroit road brick enhances the vacation-like atmosphere. Come enjoy the space and take a leisurely meander through the garden.