BEDFORD TWP., MI — A century-old peony bush, several water features and a frog pond are among the attractions on July 12’s Bedford Flower and Garden Club’s 28th annual Garden Tour.
John and Fran Uhrman are new members of the club. They will show off the peony bush and their garden on its first public tour. The Uhrmans’ garden is one of five on this year’s tour, set for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 12. Tickets are $10 and will be sold on tour day at the Bedford Branch Library, 8575 Jackman Road in Temperance. Last year’s self-guided tour drew 150 people.
The Uhrmans’ peony bush originally belonged to John’s great-grandmother. She brought it to the U.S. from Czechoslovakia in the early 1900s.
“She came over and settled in Birmingham, in the east Toledo area and planted it there,” Fran Uhrman said.
Cuttings were taken from the bush over the years. John’s mom planted the bush everywhere she lived.
“She kept taking them wherever they moved. She went over to Middle Bass Island (in Ohio) and transplanted them there. She moved back around 2000 and was living with my husband, where it’s planted now,” Uhrman said.
Today, the Uhrmans have two shrubs from the original plant. They each measure about two feet wide.
“It comes back every year. It has very bright colors and the blooms are fuchsia,” Uhrman said.
Uhrman has been improving the garden since marrying John six years ago. The garden also features towering arborvitae and raised garden beds.
“I like to tinker in the garden. Before I met my husband, I had five acres and always grew stuff. I just like to see the end results,” Uhrman said. “I’m just excited (about the tour). It’s my first time doing it. The backyard, this is where we relax in the evening. It’s a serene place.”
What’s new on this year’s tour?
New this year is two educational displays.
“One is a mosquito bucket that safely and effectively rids your property of mosquitos. This is proven more effective than fogging. It is a project from Homegrown National Parks. The second is a poster listing five easy-to-grow pollinator plants beginning in spring and ending in fall,” said Kathleen Masters, vice president of the Bedford Flower and Garden Club.
The featured gardens
Five gardens, plus the garden at the Bedford Branch Library, can be toured this year.
“Gardens are selected from recommendations and also from random visits to area neighborhoods,” Masters said. “We look for a variety of types and include vegetable gardens as well. The Dulbs garden incorporates vegetables in with the perennial beds. Only one property, Beville, is a repeat from about five to seven years ago.”
“Come and see our newly designed Pooh and ABC Children’s gardens at the library and enjoy food trucks, vendors, raffles and a book sale while you are there,” Masters said. “The library now has a small greenhouse, which is new. The club donated $500 toward its purchase.”
The rest of the gardens can be visited in any order.
— Contact reporter Suzanne Nolan Wisler at swisler@monroenews.com.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Century-old peony bush among attractions on 28th annual Bedford Garden Tour
Reporting by Suzanne Nolan Wisler, The Monroe News / The Monroe News
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