Printable 2008 Calendar of Events (click here)

ANNUAL SPRING PLANT SALE - LAS Fundraiser 2008
Friday, May 09 (Members Only Night 4pm - 7:30pm)
Saturday, May 10 (Open to the Public 9am to 4pm)
 We’ll have everything from the unique to a variety of native species, trees, shrubs, annuals, perennials, and hanging baskets, just in time for Mother’s Day! For a preliminary view of the plant list, click here. This is a fairly accurate picture of what will be available for the 2008 sale but is not inclusive and does not guarantee all plants will be available by 10:00 am on Saturday. Get here early for the best selection!

Get quilt raffle tickets at the plant sale and 2008 Garden Tour tickets. Don't forget to register for door prizes at the sale, too.

Held at our Horticulture Training Center at 103 Limit Street (just 1.5 miles west of downtown Battle Creek). Please see our Contact Us page to the left for detailed instructions.

16th ANNUAL BATTLE CREEK GARDEN TOUR - LAS Fundraiser 2008
Saturday, June 28, (10am to 4pm) and Sunday, June 29, (10am to 4pm)

Eight gardens are on display including the Children's Garden, each distinctive and reflective of the personality of each family who has opened their special space to the public for this two-day tour.

Ticket Costs: $8 in advance or $10 the day of the Garden Tour, at any garden.

Tickets can be purchased at: the Leila Arboretum office, BC Farm Bureau, Springfield Landscape, Greensmith Florist, Central Florist, Capital Florist, Godfey Jewelers, Lakeview Card & Gift, The Art Center, and Serendipity in Marshall.

You will be entertained and see beautifully in use, ideas to take home to incorporate into your own displays. Register for door prizes donated by generous local merchants.

The annual Garden Tour is a fundraiser for Leila Arboretum Society. Proceeds benefit the community through the care of Leila Arboretum and the Children's Garden.

2008 GARDENS ON TOUR

Cosgrove Garden

Christine Cosgrove says her yard is truly a “secret garden” and not just because you discover new vistas as you go further into her yard.  The gardens hold secrets that belong to her and to those who have contributed plants and art objects.  Look closely and you may see an old bike that you left at the curb, or your child’s old rocking horse or maybe a window frame.  The lilies came from the garden of her father who passed away 44 years ago.  Many plants came from friends, some from others who have been on tour in the past, including Janet Detweiler who is on tour again this year.

Armour Garden

Janet Armour comes by gardening naturally as the daughter of Janet Detweiler.  Armour purchased the family home when her parents built next door.  As a child she worked in the family vegetable garden and went on spring wildflower walks with her parents.  As the owner of a garden related business, most gardening is done early and late season and must be low maintenance.  Her gardens are created around water – a water garden, a pool, a creek, and a pond.  There are raised beds, lots of stone, trees, open lawn and woods.  The roadside berm is her nursery and experimentation area and contains many wildflowers.  Perennials and many annuals bring color to this beautiful setting.

Bidelman-Vanderveer Garden

When Donna moved into her home in 1994, she could see the “bones” of curved plantings.  Her goal was to bring it back to what she believed it used to be.  In addition to the recovered original plantings, Donna added her own touches.  This tranquil setting now has a pond, a rose garden, a new patio and a path through the woods.  Some of her favorite plant materials are Corylus (Harry Lauder Walking Stick tree) a weeping spruce, dwarf Japanese Maple, Weeping Cherry, Red Twig Dogwood and a Clematis vine.  There is something new to see at every turn as you venture through the gardens.

Detweiler Garden

Before she was a teenager, Janet worked in her family fruit and vegetable gardens.  Her Dad began a Nursery after retiring from teaching and school administration.  He grew evergreen trees and ornamental shrubs from seed.  His enthusiasm sparked her interest in trees.  In 1994 Janet moved into a new house on an undeveloped acre which slopes to Wabascan Creek.  She began with a berm planted with evergreens, assorted shrubs and perennials to shield the noise of heavy traffic on M37.  The flower beds surround the house and extend into areas visible from the house and deck.  All of the gardens were designed to be easy to maintain.  On the South side a sloped, terraced garden with steps is highlighted by a small mill with a water wheel and six or seven varieties of creeping thyme around the steps.  There is also a shady seating area.  The foundation plantings are acid lovers such as Rhododendrons, Holly, Mountain Laurels, Heaths, Heathers and others. 

Galli Garden

In just over 10 years, the Galli’s have developed their back lot into “Galli’s Wildflower Park” with paths leading through the plantings.  Shirley had no written plan and changes arrangements constantly. The paths are lined with rocks from the surrounding fields.  Daylilies and Rose of Sharon bushes came from a home in the family for 60 years.  The gardens are full of perennials that can tolerate poor sandy soil.  Many of the plants attract butterflies and birds which provide interest for daily walks.  During Spring and Summer Shirley spends about 40 hours a week working in the garden.  This beautiful retreat provides the site for parties and family gatherings.

LeBuef Garden

With 44 years of gardening experience, Sue transformed her daughter and son-in-law’s yard into a colorful oasis.  Her designs come from the heart and she keeps at it until she is satisfied then moves on to another area.  Her love of courtyard and English gardens is reflected throughout the gardens containing many water features.  Soil conditions dictate which plants thrive.  You will see raised beds, benches, stone fountains and ponds.  Ornamental grasses are everywhere.  Sue propagated the PeeGee Hydranageas in her raised beds.  Lungwort, Hosta, Phlox, Lilies, Black-eyed Susan, Siberian Iris, Mums, and Creeping Phlox are her most favorite flowers.

Paulsen-Carlin Garden

Michael Paulson has fifty years of gardening experience. He started in his parents garden, then worked as a teen in a greenhouse and finally obtained a BS and MS in Floriculture (University of Wisconsin and MSU).  He is now retired from the VA Medical Center where he supervised the greenhouse and gardens.  His latest efforts created a beautiful setting at his daughter’s home where you will see a fountain surrounded by perennials and annuals, small fruits, dwarf fruit trees, unusual shrubs, a vegetable garden and many containers.  Michael propagates many plants by cuttings and this garden is full of exotic and unusual plant material.

Children's Garden at Leila Arboretum
928 W. Michigan Avenue (just 1.5 miles west of downtown)
Battle Creek, MI 490317
269-969-0270 x120