For the last 13 years, the Irvington Garden Club has presented their Garden Tour, showcasing the beauty of gardens large and small in the historic neighborhood. The tour will take place Sunday, June 29 from 1-5 p.m.
This year, there are eight gardens on the tour, ranging from in style from cozy cottage designs to the latest trend in outdoor living, a gabion-themed garden. What is “gabion” you might ask — it is a strong wire-mesh box or cylinder filled with stones or other materials. This latest trend in garden design is sure to get the creative juices flowing.
Ethel Winslow/Weekly View
A clever “fairy garden” was featured on a past tour.
Visitors can also browse through a garden with a big collection of “bear britches,” a park-like garden, or a hidden oasis. The homeowners are on hand for questions. Every year, the tour is different, and offers inspiration to homeowners looking to improve or revise their landscapes.
After the tour, be sure to complete the day with strawberry shortcake at Irvington United Methodist Church ($4 for the works, or $3 for the kid’s portion). There’s a free patriotic concert with the Irvington Festival Chorus and handbells at 4:30 in the sanctuary.
Tickets are $10 each, and every ticket-holder gets a free plant. Advance tickets are on sale at the Antique Mall of Irvington, 5501 E. Washington St., Habig Garden Center, 1105 N. Arlington, or Bookmamas, 9 S. Johnson Ave Tickets the day of the tour are available at the Benton House, 312 S. Downey Ave., or Irvington United Methodist Church, 30 N. Audubon. Call 356-5717 for more info.
The Irvington Garden Club is a very active organization dedicated to the continued beautification of Irvington. They plant and maintain many projects in the area, contributing plants and supplies (as well as funds) to the Friends of Irving Circle, the Kin Hubbard Memorial, and many others. They have planted over 850 trees in the area, helped build the Webster Avenue Pocket Park, and maintain the Benton House historic gardens and the Kile Oak Habitat garden. They also sponsor the monthly Irvington Farmer’s Market. Before or after the tour, visitors are welcome to ask questions or join the organization. The Garden Tour is a major fundraiser for their many efforts to serve the community.
