An elementary school butterfly garden and the gardens of two Garden City council omen are on the list for the Garden City Garden Club's annual Garden Walk set for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 20.
The walk starts at Baron's Green House at Maplewood and Merriman where visitors can obtain their tickets and receive their booklet with the map and descriptions of the eight yards that are featured. Lawn signs in the community indicate if the garden will be on the walk.
"Three of the homeowners — Pat McKarge, Sue Orzel and Rosanne Audirtsh — are master gardeners," said Stacy Karafotis, club president. The designation requires taking classes with the Michigan State Extension and yearly re-certification.
• The first yard belongs to Rosanne Audirtsh who lives on James Street. Audirtsh has a combination of flowers and vegetables. She grows plenty of tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, lettuce and squash and enjoys sharing them all with her neighbors.
"She loves to garden and has selected plants that attract butterflies, bees and her most favorite, hummingbirds," Karafotis said.
• The second yard belongs to David and Caron Lysakowski of Dover Street. A pond, rock garden and unique garden items make this yard a favorite for visitors.
"Their little garden is a magical place with an outdoor room they call Narnia," Karafotis said.
• The third yard belongs to Leslye Wolf who lives on Chester. Wolf and her sons have built a large pond, patio, gazebo and fire pit.
"She is a new member to the Garden Club and hopes to learn more about perennials she can use around her pond," Karafotis said.
• The fourth yard belongs to Dawson Street resident Clay and Jennifer Shattleroe. Sitting rooms, palm trees and a feeling of serenity is what visitors get when they relax in their back yard paradise.
"Because life sometime gets in the way of vacation, these busy people decided to build their own oasis at home," Karafotis said.
• The fifth yard is Orzel's and is on Elizabeth. Using food, nectar and host plants, Orzel is doing her part to increase the Monarch population and has been certified as a Monarch Way Station.
• Councilwoman Pam King's yard on Henry Ruff is on the walk. Using peat, compost and quality soil helps create a good mixture to grow her bounty. Raised beds are placed throughout her garden and deck make for a beautiful view in this large yard.
"The idea of her family enjoying healthy home-grown food inspired Pam to start a large raised bed vegetable garden," Karafotis said.
• The seventh yard belongs to Councilwoman Pat McKarge on West Rose. Planted to provide interest in the spring, summer and fall, her yard includes annuals, perennials, bulbs, vegetables and garden art.
"Designed to attract butterflies, birds, bees and fellow gardeners, Pat's yard is also a certified Monarch Way Station," Karafotis said.
McKarge enjoys attending and participating in local garden walks because she learns so much from other gardeners.
• The eighth garden is located on the Memorial Elementary 1-2 Campus on Marquette. The garden has been incorporated into the classroom lessons in a variety of ways, including observing the process of metamorphosis and writing books about the plants in the garden.
"Also certified as a Monarch Way Station, this butterfly garden is maintained by students, teachers and parents," Karafotis said.
Tickets are on sale now at Barson's Green House on Merriman at Maplewood in Westland and Lucky Dog Luxury Daycare and Boarding on Middlebelt, north of Ford, in Garden City. They $8 each or two for $15.
The garden club meets at 7 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month and always welcomes new members. For more information about the club or the Garden Walk, call Lucky Dog at 734-261-7387 or check out the Garden City Garden Club Facebook page.