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The garden of Cathy and Michael Collins. |
Advance tickets are $8 through Friday, June 6. Tickets will be $10 on the day of the event at all gardens. Children under 12 are free. Stroller access is limited.
Preview party June 6
A preview party will be June 6 at the O’Keefe Elevator Building, 1402 Jones St. A silent auction, cocktails and guest tours of the refurbished facility will begin at 6:30 p.m. The O’Keefe Building has garnered a number of national awards for its renovation. A “Cityscape Barbecue” dinner will be served at 7:30 p.m., followed by a dessert and coffee bar on the roof at 8:30 p.m. The cost is $75.
The gardens
Visitors will tour gardens at six locations. The homeowners are:
- Becky Anderson and Bill Minier, 5611 Leavenworth St. Mature black walnut trees shade their 1924 English Tudor home and carriage house. The once flat terrain now features relaxing garden zones defined by elevation, plantings, screens, benches, paths and other elements inviting the visitor to stop and linger. Owners do all the gardening.
The garden of Becky Anderson and Bill Minier.
- Carol and Craig Anderson, 5678 Marcy St. Their garden is a combination of informal European, oriental and woodsy spaces. Oriental screens and a delightful pond surround the courtyard.
- Cathy and Michael Collins, 5121 Cuming St. This corner lot is surrounded by an eye-catching wonder of color. An arch of flowers greets visitors at the side entrances that open to a private patio, pond and bountiful beds of glorious flowers.
- Linda and Ed Cummings, 16032 Nottingham Drive. Their home overlooks a five-acre wooded ravine with a park-like area surrounding the house. There is a footbridge, trails and a pond. Visitors also will have limited access to a nature sanctuary. This is an unbelievable setting nestled inside the Omaha city limits.
- Donna and Paul Knutson, 1722 S. 84th St. They have a unique garden with sweeping beds of perennials, evergreen trees and shrubs. Separate garden spaces are created from stone, wood and iron. A child’s garden with butterfly bushes, donkey tails and more surrounds a play area along with a wonderful koi fish pond that adds a cooling touch to the landscape.
- Jo Ann and Donald Volenec, 5042 Frederick St. The focal point of this yard is a stand of majestic blue spruce trees. There are 120 varieties of hostas and more than 125 different perennials. The Volenecs maintain their own garden.
Joslyn Castle
- Joslyn Castle and Arboretum, 3902 Davenport St. This historic Omaha landmark joins the Garden Walk as part of Joslyn’s centennial celebration. The Castle is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a designated local landmark. In the spring of 1996, the grounds became the first Historic Landmark Site of the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum. The site is home of two Nebraska State Champion trees, an English Oak and a Ginko. Visitors also will be able to tour the first floor of the Castle.
Nursery personnel will be available at each host garden to answer questions. Refreshments will be available at various sites, as well as garden-related vendors with special items to sell.
Ticket locations
Tickets may be purchased at: Hy-Vee Stores (all locations); Earl May Nursery and Garden Center, 9229 W. Center Road, 13130 West Dodge Road, 420 N. Galvin Road, Bellevue, and 1718 Madison Ave., Council Bluffs; Haver’s Nursery, 8032 Maple St.; Indian Creek Nursery, 303 N. Saddle Creek Road; Lanoha Nursery, 192nd and W. Center Road; Moore’s Landscaping and Nursery, 11999 Cryer Ave.; Mulhall’s Home and Garden Showplace, 120th and W. Maple Road; Sherbondy’s Home and Garden Showplace, 319 16th Ave., Council Bluffs; Finke Garden and Nursery, 500 N. 66th St.; Campbell’s Garden Center, Lincoln; and Cornerstone Gifts, second floor, UNMC’s Durham Outpatient Center.
For more information
For more information contact Phyllis Choat, president of the Munroe Meyer Guild, at 330-6219. Advance tickets also are available by calling 559-6460 or via mail at: Garden Walk Tickets, Munroe-Meyer Institute, 985450 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5450.