Garden walks give visitors — whether they are gardeners or not — a chance to find inspiration and beauty. For gardeners, of course, these treks can bring a bounty of new ideas, as well as an opportunity to talk shop with fellow enthusiasts. Our listing here includes a great variety of walks throughout the Chicago area, and even beyond. Unless otherwise noted, these walks typically are held rain or shine.
If your organization has a garden walk you would like included in this listing, please e-mail the pertinent information to: sunday@tribune.com; please include “Garden Walk” in the subject line.
Ongoing: Lurie Garden walks are planned throughout the summer; information on all walks can be found at luriegarden.org. Fridays and Sundays: Free tours of Lurie Garden offered 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Fridays and 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sundays through Sept. 18. 11 a.m. June 25: A Walk in the Garden with Roy Diblik, owner of Northwind Perennial Farm and the official plant grower for the Lurie Garden. Meet in Lurie Garden (southeast corner of Millennium Park, near Columbus Drive and Monroe Street) at the end of the boardwalk. Free, but space is limited and pre-registration required; call 312-742-8497. 6 p.m. June 28, July 26 and Aug. 30: Summer Stroll in Lurie Garden: casual, informative walks led by Lurie Garden staff and volunteers. Meet at south end of the boardwalk, overlooking Monroe Street. Free; pre-registration is not required. 11 a.m. Aug. 20: Bee Walk and Talk, free adult workshop and garden stroll. Meet in first floor Garland Room, Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St. to learn about the importance of bees in the garden, their amazing adaptations and characteristics and some of the challenges they face. Workshop will include a walk in Lurie Garden to spot and identify bees as well as wasps. Free, but space limited and pre-registration is required; call 312-742-8497.
June 24-25: Munster Garden Club Annual Garden Walk. Nine private gardens include ponds, statuary, container gardening, water conservation and many flowers. 4 to 8 p.m. June 24; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 25. Tickets, $10 (children under 12 free) and available after June 1 at stores (Dixon’s Florist, 919 Ridge Road, Munster, Ind., Dean’s Landscaping Center, 238 Kennedy, Schererville, Ind., or Water’s Edge, 18418 Wentworth, Lansing, Ill.) or from Munster Garden Club members. Information, 219-924-0022.
June 25: Batavia Plain Dirt Gardeners 2011 garden walk, “… and in between we garden.” 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Walk will showcase eight varied gardens, including cozy garden of an 80-year-old Bavarian Tudor home, prairie zen-themed yard, property designated as a wildlife sanctuary, and an acre of wildly abundant perennials flowing around a koi-filled pond. The Wildflower Sanctuary on the Batavia Riverwalk also will be featured. Advance tickets, $13 at the Batavia Park District, 327 W. Wilson, beginning May 23. Day of event tickets are $15 at each of the gardens and The Holmstad – A Covenant Retirement Community, 700 W. Fabyan Pkwy., Batavia. Complimentary tea will be offered at the Ahlstrand Cultural Center and served by The Holmstad staff. Proceeds benefit Wildflower Sanctuary and other club projects, including scholarships. Information, email melissa.hyams@att.net , call 630-879-9638 or visit Batavia Plain Dirt Gardeners on Facebook.
June 25: Fifth Annual Timmy’s Garden Walk to benefit pediatric programs of Joliet Area Community Hospice. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eight gardens are located in Joliet, Shorewood and Plainfield. Tickets, $10; available at Joliet Area Community Hospice, 250 Water Stone Circle, Joliet. Information, 815-460-3250 or www.joliethospice.org.
June 25: Naperville Garden Club garden walk. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Five featured gardens will include a rain garden and a sand garden and others filled with flowering annuals, perennials, wildflowers and beautiful woodland foliage. An artist will be painting in one of the gardens, and vendors will sell garden sculpture, natural organic gardening products, knitting, jewelry and mosaic art. Tickets, $10 in advance; $12 day of event. The Naperville Trolley will be available to ride to all the gardens for an additional $21; advance trolley reservations are required with limited seating available. Call early to reserve a spot. Information, advance tickets and trolley reservations, Anna Marie, 630-375-9262. Tickets on day of event will only be available at 717 S. Whispering Hills Drive, Naperville. Information, napervillegardenclub.org.
June 25: Oak Park and River Forest Garden Walk. 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Self-guided tour of eight gardens will begin at Oak Park Conservatory (615 Garfield St., Oak Park, 708-725-2540). Tickets: $15 advance at many locations, including Oak Park Visitors Bureau (1010 W. Lake St., 708-848-1500) and the conservatory. Tickets are $18 day of walk, sold beginning at 9 a.m. at the Oak Park Conservatory. Information, 708-725-2540 or go to www.fopcon.org. Additional vendors include The Magic Tree Book Store (141 N. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, 708-848-0770); Westgate Flower and Plant Shop (841 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, 708-386-0072); Good Earth Greenhouse (7900 W. Madison St., River Forest, 708- 366-9500); Carriage Flower Shop (124 N. Marion St., Oak Park, 708-383-4862); Greenline Wheels (105 S. Marion St., Oak Park, 708-725-7170). To order by mail, send checks payable to “Garden Club of Oak Park and River Forest” to Garden Walk 2011, P.O. Box 5633, River Forest, IL 60305, before June 15, 2010. To order online with PayPal, go to www.gcoprf.org for information.
June 25: Town & Country Garden Club of Libertyville Garden Walk and Bazaar. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Gardens of five club members will be featured. Tickets, $15 in advance; $20 day of walk. Bazaar will be located at David Adler Cultural Center, 1700 N. Milwaukee Ave. (just north of Adler Park), Libertyville. Tickets may be purchased from garden club members, at the June 23 farmers market, at the bazaar, and at any of the gardens on the day of the walk. Information, and location of gardens, contact Barbara, 847-971-6622 or email T.C.GardenWalk@gmail.com.
June 25: McHenry Garden Club Garden Walk. 1 to 5 p.m. Self-guided tour of five local gardens as well as Petersen Farm, historic farmstead that is under the protection of the McHenry Landmark Commission and the City of McHenry that is being restored as part of the Petersen family heritage and will create a living museum of 19th and 20th century farm life. The Garden Club has begun landscaping the farmhouse with flowers and shrubs that represent the 19th century, and has assisted in planting the farm’s vegetable garden. Advance tickets, $8 through June 23 at the McHenry Chamber of Commerce, Chapel Hill Florist or Harms Farm in McHenry, Countryside Nursery in Crystal Lake or The Gardens of Woodstock. $10 day of event. Ticketholders can pick up a map of the gardens beginning at noon at the Veterans Memorial Park, 3400 Pearl St., McHenry. Proceeds will be used for beautification projects, educational programs and scholarships. Information, Laura, 815-344-1965 or www.mchenrygardenclub.com.
June 25: Yorkville Garden Club Garden Walk and Garden Junction Boutique. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Five gardens will be featured. Tickets, $10 advance; $12 day of the walk. Information, www.yorkvillegardenclub.org or 630-553-8949.
June 26: 24th annual Beverly Hills/Morgan Park Garden Walk. Noon to 5 p.m. Ten beautiful gardens in the Beverly Hills/Morgan Park neighborhood will be featured. Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer questions about plants, shrubs and trees. Tickets, $12. Starting location is 1908 W. 103rd St., (103rd and Walden Parkway), Chicago. Participants can drive or bike the garden route. Guided trolley tours will depart at 12:30 and 1 p.m. on a first come, first served basis. Event is sponsored by the East Beverly Association. Information, www.eastbeverly.com.
June 26: Glenview Gardeners Summer Garden Walk and plant sale. 1 to 4 p.m. Three Glenview-area gardens will be featured. Plants from members’ gardens and garden-related items will be on sale at each of the participating gardens. Admission is free. Information, 847-832-0630 or email ggardeners@earthlink.net; for addresses and directions to the gardens, go to www.glenviewgardeners.org.
June 26: Fifth Annual Northcenter Neighborhood Garden Walk (formerly the St. Ben’s Garden Walk). Noon to 6 p.m. Self-guided walk will feature approximately 40 gardens. Pick up maps of tour at Alexander Graham Bell School, 3730 N. Oakley (at Grace Street), Chicago. Suggested donation of $5 benefits the Common Pantry. Information, Karen Carter Lynch, 312-953-7154.
June 26: The Palatine Historical Society Garden Walk. Noon to 4 p.m. Seven Palatine gardens will be featured. Advance tickets and map are at the Clayson House, 224 E. Palatine Rd., 847-991-6460 or at the registration desk of the Palatine Park District, 250 E. Wood St., 847-991-0333. Tickets, $10 advance; $15 day of event and sold at Towne Square (Smith and Palatine Roads) until 3 p.m. Proceeds will benefit cemetery improvement fund. Information, www.palatinehistoricalsociety.com or call 847-991-6460.
June 26: Riverside Garden Club Garden Walk. 1 to 5 p.m. Seven residential Riverside gardens and one local church garden will each feature a different party theme in celebration of the club’s 90th anniversary. Complimentary cake and lemonade will be served in the St. Mary Church “Garden of Eden” to all ticket holders. Tickets, $10 in advance; $15 day of walk; tickets will be sold in each of the participating gardens. Information, call 708-442-1778 or email info@riversidegardenclub.org. Website is www.riversidegardenclub.org.
June 26: Rolling Meadows Garden Club annual garden walk. Noon to 4 p.m. Seven gardens will be featured. Tickets, $10 advance; $15 day of walk beginning at 11:30 a.m. at Rolling Meadows Museum House, 3100 Central Rd., Rolling Meadows. Information, 847-818-3200, ext. 230, or www.rollingmeadowsgardenclub.org.
June 26: South Suburban Garden Walk sponsored by the National Council of Jewish Women South Cook Section. Seven gardens in Flossmoor, Homewood and Olympia Fields. Master Gardeners will be on hand to talk to visitors in each garden. Proceeds will benefit Aunt Martha’s Youth Service Center and Respond Now. Tickets: $20 advance and $25 day of walk. Advance tickets may be purchased at Sunnycrest Nursery in Flossmoor. “Day of” tickets will be sold at Goldberg Park in Flossmoor. Information, email southlandgardenwalk@gmail.com or call 708-957-3781.
June 26: Wheeling Garden Club garden walk. 1 to 4 p.m. Six area gardens will be featured. Refreshments and door prizes will be at last garden. Pick up a map and directions at Friendship Park, northeast corner of Dundee Road and Milwaukee Avenue, Wheeling. Admission is $8. Information, Jan Schmid, 847-909-0335.
June 28-30: 21st annual Crete Garden Walk, “A Day in the Country.” Seven gardens will be featured. Preview night, 4 to 8 p.m. June 28; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 29-30. A free Garden Faire will be held at Lincolnshire Country Club, 390 E. Richton Rd., Crete. Tickets, walk only: $10 advance, $12 day of walk. Walk and luncheon, $25. Escorted bus tour, $40 (includes walk and luncheon). Tickets will be on sale beginning June 1. Walk-only tickets will also be available day of walk at the country club. Information and ticket vendors, www.cretewomansclub.org or 708-672-0959.
July 9-10: Seventh Annual Bucktown Tree and Garden Walk sponsored by the Bucktown Community Organization. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Self-guided tour will feature 100 participating gardens and 100 identified neighborhood trees, as well as the “Tree of the Year,” the ginkgo. Walk will include wide variety of gardens, including creative uses of postage-stamp yards, roof decks, parkways, vertical plantings, community gardens and municipal parks. Guidebooks with descriptions and maps are at welcome tables at Club Lucky (1824 W. Wabansia Ave.) or the petting zoo at Lottie’s Pub (1925 W. Cortland St.) Suggested donation, $5 includes unlimited rides on the courtesy trolley running continuously during the walk. Information, www.bucktown.org or e-mail Bucktown@bucktown.org.
July 9: Gardeners of Central Lake County garden walk. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This year’s five gardens are located in Libertyville and Mundelein. Admission is free. For maps and more information, go to www.gclcil.com. Maps will be available beginning July 1 at Cook Memorial Library, 413 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville and Fremont Library, 1170 N. Midlothian Rd., Mundelein. Information, Arlene Doran, 847- 566-3711 or email marlenacannon@comcast.net.
July 9: DeKalb County Garden Walk and Plant Sale & Boutique, a University of Illinois DeKalb County Master Gardeners community project. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tour eight unique gardens in DeKalb County; plant sale is at the DeKalb County Center for Agriculture, 1350 W. Prairie Drive, Sycamore. Tickets, $10 advance; $12 at the event and are available at the University of Illinois Extension Office DeKalb County, 1350 W. Prairie Drive, Sycamore, 815-758-8194. Information, visit http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/dekalb/gardenwalk.
July 9: Downers Grove Garden Walk, “Hope Among the Flowers,” will feature six gardens. 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Event is sponsored by First United Methodist Church of Downers Grove. Tickets are $25 in advance beginning June 1; $30 day of event. Information, 630-968-7120 or go to www.dgfumc.org/gardenwalk, which also includes locations selling tickets.
July 9: Galena Garden Walk. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Rain date: July 10. Five gardens will be featured in historic Galena. Some gardens will feature an artist working on a painting. Tickets, $10. Information, http://www.galenahistorymuseum.org.
July 9: McHenry County Master Gardener Garden Walk 2011. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Self-guided tour presented by the McHenry County Master Gardeners and McHenry County College, featuring nine gardens in McHenry, Woodstock, Crystal Lake and Cary: eight private residences and the public garden at McHenry County College. Each garden will feature an educational display by Master Gardeners. Tour starts at Master Gardeners’ Demonstration Garden at McHenry County College, 8900 U.S. Route 14, Crystal Lake; visitors will be given directions, maps and tickets for the tour’s private gardens. A plant sale will be held at the Demonstration Garden while supplies last. Tickets, $12 through June 24, $17 after June 24. Information and advance tickets through McHenry County College; call 815-455-8764. Tickets also will be sold at the day of the event at the Demonstration Garden or at each participating garden for $17.
July 10: Burlington Area Garden Club Garden Walk will feature six local gardens and a hilltop retreat in the Burlington, Rochester and Waterford areas in Wisconsin. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets, $8 advance; $10 day of walk. Advance tickets can be purchased from variety of area vendors; tickets will be sold day of event at the gazebo at Wehmhoff Square (near Burlington Library). Information or to purchase tickets in advance, call Barb, 262-767-8757; information, go to www.burlingtonareagardenclub.org.
July 10: Edgewater Glen neighborhood in Chicago hosts annual garden walk. Noon to 5 p.m. More than 25 gardens will highlight creative urban landscaping. Starting point is 1420 W. Glenlake (6100 North). Tickets, $5; children free. Information, Kim Kaulas, 773-761-3668.
July 10: Elmhurst Garden Club sponsors “An Afternoon in the Garden” 16th annual Garden Walk and Faire. Garden walk, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., will feature seven gardens. Garden club members and garden advisors will be on hand to answer questions at each of the gardens. Visitors begin the walk by obtaining a garden guide at Wilder Park, Cottage Hill Avenue and Church Street, which includes a conservatory and herb garden. A garden fair, slated from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., will feature vendors selling a variety of items. An art exhibit will take place in the historic Wilder Mansion. A la carte lunch will be available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Proceeds from the event are used for a variety of charitable programs. Tickets for the garden walk are $15 in advance, $20 at Wilder Park day of event. Information, 708-354-6844 or 630-530-0559 or www.elmhurstgardenwalk.com, which also lists vendors selling advance tickets.
July 10: 22nd annual Evanston Garden Walk, sponsored by Keep Evanston Beautiful, Inc. (KEB). Noon to 5 p.m. Self-guided tour (bike or car required) will feature seven private gardens and two public gardens in Evanston. Private gardens include an English garden near the lake, a garden designed for entertaining, and gardens that highlight the creative use of annuals and woody plants. All proceeds help KEB fund civic projects and environmental education in Evanston and Evanston/Skokie schools. Attendees will receive a map of garden locations and a booklet describing the gardens. Advance tickets, $20; $10 for KEB members. Day of walk, $25/$15 for members. Children under 12, with ticketed adult, admitted free. No strollers or pets are allowed in the gardens. Tickets will not be available at the gardens. Buy tickets at Evanston Ecology Center, 2024 McCormick Blvd., 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. June 13-July 1; 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. July 5-8; 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. July 9; and 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. July 10. Advance tickets also available online and from several Evanston retailers; go to www.evanstonkeb.org. Information, also available at 847-448-8256, ext. 105.
July 10: The 11th Annual Roscoe Village Garden Walk, sponsored by Roscoe Village Neighbors. Noon to 6 p.m. Free, self-guided tour of 50 gardens begins at Gratitude-Heart-Garden, 2058 W. Roscoe St. (at Hoyne Avenue), Chicago. Tour booklet with map and descriptions of gardens is available. Information, 773-329-5036 or go to www.roscoevillage.org.
July 11: Long Grove-Kildeer Garden Club garden walk. 9:30 a.m. Four gardens will be open for the club’s annual garden tour, followed by a gourmet boxed lunch (choose from three). Perennial, annual and native garden designs, with rare hostas and conifers featured at one location. $25; reservations required. Check-in, map and route driving directions will be at the club’s meeting location, Reed-Turner Woodland Nature Center, 3849 Old McHenry Rd., Long Grove. Reservations and information, Gerri, 847-550-6292. Proceeds support local charities, internships and beautification of Reed-Turner Woodland Nature Center.
July 11: Secret Gardens of Wauwatosa Tour will feature seven private gardens in Wauwatosa, Wis. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. $10 advance; $12 day of walk at Kneeland-Walker House, 7406 Hillcrest Drive, Wauwatosa. Information: wbc-wi.org.
July 17: 53rd Dearborn Garden Walk presented by the North Dearborn Association. Noon to 5 p.m. Self-guided walking tour of more than 20 private rear gardens. Highlights include garden vignettes of outdoor rooms and scenes inspired by the life of the late Elizabeth Taylor and created by Chicago designers. Also offered: hour-long guided tour of historic Dearborn Parkway that highlights the architectural facades in the neighborhood (at 1:30, 3:30 and 5 p.m.). Tickets, $30 advance (available through noon July 16); $35 day of event. Children 16 and younger accompanied by an adult, as well as North Dearborn Association Partner in Preservation members, are admitted free. Program booth is at Latin Lower School lobby, 1531 N. Dearborn Pkwy. Information, call 312-632-1241 or go to www.dearborngardenwalk.com.
July 17: Blossoms for Books Evergreen Park Library Garden Walk. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Self-guided tour of eight gardens that begins at the library, 9400 S. Troy Ave., Evergreen Park. Tickets, $10 advance; $12 day of event. Library will also host a quilt show. Proceeds benefit Evergreen Park Public Library Foundation. Information, 708-422-8522 or www.evergreenparklibrary.org.
July 17: Graceland West Community Association garden walk. Noon to 5 p.m. Self-guided tour of about 50 gardens; pick up maps at 4334 N. Greenview Ave. Free. Information, 773-348-1469 or donnaforsberg@sbcglobal.net.
July 17: Park Ridge Garden Club Garden Walk. 2 to 6 p.m. Seven Park Ridge gardens will be featured on the 17th annual self-guided walk. Tickets, $10 in advance from participating merchants; $15 day of the event at 700 Hansen Place or any garden on the walk. Children under 10 are free. For retailers selling advance tickets and additional information, go to www.parkridgegardenclub.web.officelive.com or call 847-712-1855. Raffle tickets for garden gift baskets will be available at selected gardens.
July 17: Wisconsin Illinois Lily Society sponsors a “Lily Walk” in the gardens of Woodruff Imberman, society president, 520 Orchard Lane, Winnetka. 1 to 4 p.m. Those attending will see the largest Chicagoland garden devoted almost solely to a wide variety of true lilies. Admission is free. Mission of Wisconsin Illinois Lily Society, an affiliate of the North American Lily Society, is to further the knowledge and propagation of true lilies. Information, 847-460-8409 or email lilygrower82@aol.com.
July 23-24: 43rd Annual Sheffield Garden Walk and Festival. Self-guided tour of more than 100 private gardens in historic Sheffield neighborhood. Noon to 5 p.m. (Walk is held in conjunction with the neighborhood festival, open until 10 p.m., which will include entertainment, food booths, guided architectural tours and activities for youngsters at the Kids’ Corner (also noon to 5 p.m.). Guidebooks, which contain map and textual descriptions of the gardens, will be available at the Garden Center on the lawn in front of St. Vincent de Paul Church, 1010 W. Webster St. Admission: $7 before 3 p.m.; $10 after 3 p.m. Proceeds benefit charitable organizations and community projects. Information, 773-929-9255 or www.sheffieldgardenwalk.com.
July 24: Arlington Heights Garden Club Garden Walk and Unique Boutique. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. View five residential gardens of varying styles. Proceeds benefit scholarships and conservation programs. Tickets, $10 in advance; $15 day of the walk. Garden walk tickets are available at the Arlington Heights Historical Museum, 110 W. Fremont. Free admission to Unique Boutique, to be held at the museum, which will feature garden ornaments and crafts. Information, sites.google.com/site/arlingtonheightsgardenclub/ or Kathy, 847-514-0414 or email, kshend@aol.com.
July 24: Gardeners of the North Shore Garden Walk. Noon to 5 p.m. Six gardens (Lake Forest, Deerfield, Northbrook and Lincolnwood). Free. Information, Marty Winn – 847-945-2837, bhwinn@comcast.net, or go to the club’s Web site www.gardenersofthenorthshore.com.
Aug. 14: Blue Island garden walk is a self-guided tour of several area gardens, including the Blue Island Park District Community Garden. Noon to 4 p.m. Walk begins at Carr Gardens-Home-Holiday, 2357 York St., Blue Island, 708-824-9171. Tickets, $10 advance; $12 day of event; tickets can be purchased at Carr Gardens. Event is sponsored by Blue Island FORUM / Blue Island Development Corp., which also will host an afternoon tea. Information, 708-597-6492 or email TheBIForum@sbcglobal.net.
