Participate in the 2017 Michigan Garden Plant Tour

Erik Runkle<runkleer@msu.edu>, Michigan State University Extension, Department of Horticulture -

Join fellow greenhouse growers, landscapers, garden center operators and nursery growers in this coordinated open house from July 24 to Aug. 4, 2017.

Photo by Mast Young Plants
Photo by Mast Young Plants

The 14th annual Michigan Garden Plant Tour is July 24 to Aug. 4, 2017. The tour is a free, coordinated open house of leading producers of propagative materials and Michigan State University gardens, allowing you to observe performance of plants grown under different conditions, both in the ground and in containers. The tour is meant to educate commercial growers, landscapers and gardening professionals about new and recently introduced plant selections and how they perform outdoors.

The participating tour sites are C. Raker and Sons in Litchfield, Michigan; Four Star Greenhouse  in Carleton, Michigan; Mast Young Plants in Walker, Michigan; Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan; and Walters Gardens in Zeeland, Michigan.

The Michigan Garden Plant Tour Facebook page contains frequent updates and photos of some of the most exciting new plant introductions.

Some participating companies offer a light lunch or refreshments during the two-week tour.

In addition, the following special events are planned.

  • July 25: The MSU Plant Trial Field Day. This half-day program features presentations from MSU faculty and staff about a range of production topics and garden plant performance.
  • July 25: Customer Appreciation Day at Walters Gardens. The first of two days in which you can enjoy lunch and ask your growing questions to their panel of experts.
  • July 27-28: The Connection at Rakers. This two-day event features conversation, food, concerts, greenhouse tours, kids’ activities and, of course, the expansive Raker Trial Gardens.
  • Aug. 1: Customer Appreciation Day at Walters Gardens. The second of two days in which you can enjoy lunch and ask your growing questions to their panel of experts.

raker gardens

Photo by C. Raker and Sons

There is no cost to visit the tour sites, although there is a registration fee for the MSU Plant Trial Field Day on July 25. You should contact the tour sites in advance so they can prepare for your arrival.

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

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