2023 Milwaukee-area garden tours include Knockout Rose creator and other private spaces

Joanne Kempinger Demski
·12 min read

There are so many ways to get new ideas for gardens these days.

You can flip through gardening books, watch garden shows on TV, scroll through websites or wander through garden centers.

But one of the best ways, one that’s also relaxing and fun, is to attend some of the garden tours scheduled in our area. You can stroll through gardens, see unique plants, take pictures and talk to the gardeners.

These events don’t just feature gardens. Some have plant sales, music, food, drink, artwork, and experts who give talks.

Here is a list of tours this year. Some may not have all their information on their websites yet, so watch for updates or changes.

The Garden Conservancy's Open Days program, a national effort that encourages a passion for gardens, will have two events in the Milwaukee area, one on June 24 and 25, and then another on Aug. 19 and 20. This is the Hill Top House, on the June tour.
The Garden Conservancy's Open Days program, a national effort that encourages a passion for gardens, will have two events in the Milwaukee area, one on June 24 and 25, and then another on Aug. 19 and 20. This is the Hill Top House, on the June tour.

June

The original Knock Out Rose was developed by Will Radler of Greenfield. His gardens will be featured on several tours this summer.
The original Knock Out Rose was developed by Will Radler of Greenfield. His gardens will be featured on several tours this summer.

Greater Milwaukee Rose Society Tour: 9 a.m. to noon June 10 at Rose Innovation, the 2-acre rosarium of Will Radler, creator of the Knock Out Family of Roses, 10020 W. Meadow Drive, Greenfield. A donation of at least $5 is suggested. All of the money goes to the Greater Milwaukee Rose Society. For more information email roseinnovations@gmail.com, or see roseinnovations.org or milwaukeerose.org.

Five gardens will be shown on the South Milwaukee Garden Club & Historical Society Garden Tour on June 24. Also part of the tour is a garden with more than 200 types of hostas to view or buy.
Five gardens will be shown on the South Milwaukee Garden Club & Historical Society Garden Tour on June 24. Also part of the tour is a garden with more than 200 types of hostas to view or buy.

South Milwaukee Garden Club & Historical Society Garden Tour: Tour five gardens in South Milwaukee from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 24. Some gardens will have live music and handcrafted items for sale. A destination garden will have more than 200 types of hostas to see and purchase. Tickets are $10 at Mari’s Flowers, Wine & Gifts, 905 Milwaukee Ave., South Milwaukee. For more information, contact Patti Bergeson at (414) 768-9549 or pbergeson55@gmail.com.

The Friends of the Muskego Library Garden Walk, set for June 24, will include four gardens. The walk will also feature lectures and a plant sale.
The Friends of the Muskego Library Garden Walk, set for June 24, will include four gardens. The walk will also feature lectures and a plant sale.

Friends of the Muskego Library Garden Walk: Tour four Muskego-area gardens from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 24. Lectures will be given by Rick Boyd of Rainforest Rick in Mequon, Paul Ruszkiewicz of Paul's Petal Pushers in Muskego and Waterford, and Jeff Trader, a Master Gardener volunteer in Brookfield. Also planned are tea in a private garden, a perennial plant sale, garden boutique, pre-owned art sale, garden-related craft fair, raffle baskets and a gift card raffle. Tickets are $15, children 14 and under are admitted free. The “Exclusive Garden Tea” is an additional $30. Tickets are available at the library or though their website. Cash or check only. For more information:  cityofmuskego.org/library.

Garden Conservancy Open Days: Tours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 24 and 25 at three gardens: one in Port Washington, two in River Hills. Tickets are $10 per person per garden. Children 12 and under are admitted free with a paid adult admission. Advance purchase is required, and tickets are limited. For more information and tickets, go to gardenconservancy.org/open-days/milwaukee or gardenclubgreatermilwaukee.org. (A second Open Days event is listed for Aug. 19 and 20.)

Lake Country Art & Garden Tour:  Garden-related events held throughout the summer. June 24: Sculpture in Bloom at Joel Pfeiffer’s Garden, Hartland; June 27: Bookworm Gardens Bus Tour & Lunch, Pewaukee to Sheboygan; July 27: Fused-Glass Garden Flowers at Soul Fire Art Studio, Delafield; Aug. 5, Create Art with Nature at Sue’s Moose Lake Garden, Stone Bank: Sept. 9: Autumn Floral Design Workshop at Stone Bank Farm Market, Stone Bank. For a complete list and more information: pewaukeearts.org.

July

Olbrich’s Home Garden Tour:  Visit six gardens in the wooded village of Shorewood Hills on the south end of Lake Mendota from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 7 and 8. Tickets will be available for purchase at Olbrich Botanical Gardens starting June 15. Tour day tickets at UW Credit union, 3500 University Ave. General admission is $15, Olbrich members are $13, children 6 to 12 are $7, and those 5 and under are admitted free. For more information call (608) 246-4550, email mjeanne@cityofMadison.com or see olbrich.org.

Cudahy Garden Tour: Tour six gardens in the Cudahy area from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 8. Music at some of the gardens. Free. Maps available the day of the tour at Jen’s Sweet Treats, 4745 S. Packard Ave., Cudahy. For more information, call (414) 747-9190.

Greendale Historical Society 27th Annual Garden Tour: Tour seven gardens and a new children’s garden and rose garden from 8 a.m. to noon July 8. Free, but donations are appreciated. Tour starts at Gazebo Park on Broad Street. Programs and maps available. Gardens are all within walking distance. Live music, food and beverages, free raffle tickets for gift basket, children’s crafts. Master Gardener volunteers on hand to answer questions. For more information email aborst@greendale.org.

Kenosha Secret Garden Walk, by the Four Seasons Garden Club: Tour five private gardens and an innovative community garden in the Kenosha area from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 8. Tickets are $10. Accompanied children under 12 are admitted free. Advance tickets are available June 1 at some area garden stores. Tickets will be sold at gardens the day of the walk. See website for garden addresses beginning June 1: 4seasonsgardenclub.org.

The Menomonee Falls Community League 2023 Garden Tour, on July 8, will include five gardens.
The Menomonee Falls Community League 2023 Garden Tour, on July 8, will include five gardens.

Menomonee Falls Community League 2023 Garden Tour:  Tour five gardens in the Menomonee Falls area from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 8. Advance tickets are $10 at Shady Lane Greenhouse, W172 N7388 Shady Lane, or Art Lounge, N88 W16567 Main St., both in Menomonee Falls. Day-of-tour tickets are $12 at the gardens or the businesses listed above. The tour will include a raffle and garden art. Call (414) 581-0352, see communityleague.com or email cleague@communityleague.com.

The Random Lake Garden Tour will have food, drinks and entertainment in the Town of Fredonia. The four featured gardens on July 8 are also in Random Lake and Adell.
The Random Lake Garden Tour will have food, drinks and entertainment in the Town of Fredonia. The four featured gardens on July 8 are also in Random Lake and Adell.

Random Lake Garden Walk: Tour four gardens in the Town of Fredonia, Adell and Random Lake from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 8. Tickets are $8 at any of the homes. Food, drink and entertainment will be available at the Town of Fredonia location. For locations and more information, call (920) 994-9930, or visit randomlakewigardenclub.org.

Oshkosh Garden Walk: Tour six gardens with owners on hand to answer questions from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 9. Tickets are $8 in advance at House of Flowers or UBloom in Oshkosh or on the Oshkosh Garden Club website. $10 the day of the event at any of the gardens. Free for those under 18. For more information see oshkoshgardenclub.org/garden-walk.html or call (920) 237-0416.

A fairy garden is shown on the Riverwest Secret Garden Tour, a self-guided event with more than 15 gardens. It's set for July 9.
A fairy garden is shown on the Riverwest Secret Garden Tour, a self-guided event with more than 15 gardens. It's set for July 9.

Riverwest Secret Garden Tour: A self-guided tour of more than 15 gardens in the Riverwest neighborhood from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 9. Gardeners will be on hand to answer questions. Tickets, with maps, are $5 the day of the tour at Garden Park, at the corner of Locust and Bremen streets. For more information see RiverwestSecretGardenTour.com or call (414) 562-9025.

26th Annual Sheboygan Area Garden Walk:  Tour five gardens, both public and private, in Sheboygan, Sheboygan Falls and Oostburg from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 15. Tickets are $15 for adults, $5 for teens 13 to 18 and free for children 12 and under. No credit or debit cards accepted. Tickets with a map will be available at the gardens the day of the walk. Sponsored by the Lake Shore Garden Club and the Ivy League Garden Club. Proceeds go to Peace Garden and Elwood H. May Environmental Park. For more information, call Doris Weber at (920) 467-3266.

A Day at Radler’s Botanic Garden: The tour of Will Radler’s rose garden will be put on by the Greenfield Beautification Committee. Radler, who developed the Knock Out family of roses, has a two-acre extensively landscaped property with a rose test garden, raised garden beds, ornamental areas, streams, ponds, pools and fire pits. All plants are labeled. The tour is from 9 a.m. to noon July 15 at 10020 W. Meadow Drive, Greenfield.  Tickets are $10 in cash or check at the gardens. For more information, call (414) 545-3381 or see gbcinfo.org.

The Oconomowoc Woman’s Club will have six gardens on its tour on July 15.
The Oconomowoc Woman’s Club will have six gardens on its tour on July 15.

Oconomowoc Woman’s Club Garden Tour:  Tour six gardens in the Oconomowoc area from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 15. Rain date July 16. Tickets are $12 in advance from Woman’s Club members and some area businesses. Day of tour tickets are $15 at the gardens. For ticket outlets and more information, call (262) 443-0251 or see oconomowocwomansclub.com. 

East Side Milwaukee Garden Tour: A free tour of about 20 gardens on the east side from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 16. For more information, see the East Side Milwaukee Garden Tour Facebook site, facebook.com/EastSideGardenTour.  

Burlington Area Garden Club Garden Walk: See five gardens in the Burlington area from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 16. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased in advance at some Burlington-area businesses or at the gardens the day of the tour. See burlingtonareagardenclub.com for locations. For information or to purchase tickets, call (262) 757-5727.

The Gardens of West Bend tour will feature six gardens on July 15 and 16. The tour is a fundraiser for Roots and Branches, a group that aims to improve the beauty and natural environment of West Bend.
The Gardens of West Bend tour will feature six gardens on July 15 and 16. The tour is a fundraiser for Roots and Branches, a group that aims to improve the beauty and natural environment of West Bend.

26th Annual Gardens of West Bend Tour-Roots and Branches: Tour six gardens in the West Bend area from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 15 and noon to 3 p.m. July 16. Tour begins at 1007 Schloemer Road and ends at the Cedar Community-Cedar Ridge Joy Garden, a strolling garden with a water feature and a monarch way station. The tour is a fundraiser for Roots and Branches, and it includes a boutique, food and beverages, vendors, music and en plein air painters. Advance tickets are $10 through the website and at Stein’s Garden and Gifts, West Bend. Day of tour tickets are $12. For more information, call (262) 335-5083 or see rootsbranches.org.

Cedarburg Woman’s Club 11th Annual 2023 Garden Walk: Tour four gardens in the Cedarburg area and Thiensville from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 15 and 16. Also tour the Cedarburg Art Museum’s gardens and museum from noon to 4 p.m. Advance tickets are $20 at: Olson’s Piggly Wiggly in Mequon and Cedarburg, Heyden’s Gardens in Cedarburg, Cornerstone Bank in Grafton, and Frenz Garden Center in Thiensville. Tickets also available at the gardens the day of the walk. A raffle is included. For more information, including the garden addresses, see cedarburgwomansclub.org or call (262) 375-4890.

62nd Annual Door County Home and Garden Walk: Tour five homes, a gallery and gardens in Sturgeon Bay and Egg Harbor from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 25. Tickets, which cost $40 in advance or $45 the day of the tour, will go on sale July 1 at some area outlets and online. For more information see dcmedical.org/volunteer/house-and-garden-walk, call Robin Hamm-Jackson at (920) 746-3609, or email her at robin.hamm-jackson@dcmedical.org.

North Central Wisconsin Master Gardeners Garden Walk: Tour six gardens in the Rib Mountain area. Hosted by the North Central Wisconsin Master Gardeners Association from 1 to 7 p.m. July 28 and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 29. Tickets, at $10 each, can be purchased at the UW Extension Office,  212 River Drive, Suite 3, in Wausau; at Clear View Garden Center, Weston; or at any of the gardens on the days of the tour. There will be a plant sale at one location. For more information, see ncwmga.org.

Prairie Fest: Free tours of a four-acre prairie in bloom at Redeemer United Church of Christ, W220 N4915 Town Line Road, Menomonee Falls, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 29. Guided tours are at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. The tour also features food, kids activities, crafts, games, a scavenger hunt, face painting, videos, sustainability displays and demonstrations. For more information, see redeemerucc.org or call (262) 246-6710.

Garden District Neighborhood Association Garden Tour: A free tour of 12 gardens on Milwaukee’s south side from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 30.. Some will be open for visitors; some can be viewed from the sidewalk. Gardens are selected by area residents. A map with locations will be published on the website, milwaukeegdna.com, or the Facebook page, Milwaukee Garden District. For more information or to nominate a garden, call (414) 481-1928.

August

Garden Conservancy Open Days: Tour two gardens in Whitefish Bay and one in Brown Deer on Aug. 19 and 20. Tickets for the Open Days tours are $10 per person per garden. Children 12 and under are admitted free with a paid adult admission. Also, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Aug. 19, a special event will be held in River Hills, “Discover the Magic of Greenfire Woods.” The owner will talk about a lifetime in her garden and give a tour of an old growth forest, wild areas and a cottage garden with artisanal features. Admission is $40. Advance purchase is required for all events. For more information and tickets, go to gardenconservancy.org/opendays/milwaukee or gardenclubgreatermilwaukee.org.

Friends of Boerner Botanical Gardens Tour: From 6 to 9 p.m. Aug. 25 at Rose Innovation, the 2-acre rosarium of Will Radler, 10020 W. Meadow Drive, Greenfield.  A minimum donation of $5 is suggested. For more information, email roseinnovations@gmail.com or see roseinnovations.org or boernerbotanicalgardens.org.

The Port Washington Garden Club Fall Garden Walk will have about six gardens to show on Sept. 9.
The Port Washington Garden Club Fall Garden Walk will have about six gardens to show on Sept. 9.

September

Port Washington Garden Club Fall Garden Walk: Tour about six gardens with water features, unique trees and dahlias in the Port Washington area from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 9. Owners will be on site to answer questions. Tickets are $8 in advance, $10 the day of the tour at the gardens. No charge for students or children. Proceeds benefit community projects and scholarships. For more information see portgardenclub.org or call (262) 268-1771.

Wisconsin Hardy Plant Society Tour: From noon to 3 p.m. Sept. 23 at Rose Innovation, the 2-acre rosarium of Will Radler, 10020 W. Meadow Drive, Greenfield. A minimum donation of $5 is suggested. All sales are donated to the nonprofit. For more information, email roseinnovations@gmail.com or see roseinnovations.org or wisconsinhardyplantsociety.org.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: 2023 Milwaukee-area garden tours include Knockout Rose creator and more