By Melanie Penner

Whether you have a green thumb or your wish you did, mark June 21st on your calendar.
The “Grow Your Roots” Garden Tour is a one-day event planned as part of Morden’s Chautauqua Spirit 2008 to celebrate the town’s horticultural heritage.

Chautauqua Spirit Project Coordinator Nancy Penner said the garden tour was planned because Morden is known for its spectacular yards and community beautification.

“Our citizens take pride in their gardens and want to share it with others by opening up their private yards for the tour,” she said.

Penner added the Morden and Area Horticultural Society coordinated the tour on behalf of Chautauqua Spirit and were well received when looking for gardens to feature on the tour.

“They (homeowners) were eager to share the beauty of their gardens and exchange ideas with others,” she said. “We are excited about having these gardens on tour and encourage people to come out and enjoy them. You can tour as many or as few as you like and pick your own route.”

The self-guided tour will showcase a number of gardens in and around Morden.

“There will be six gardens in Morden and four in the rural area, two just west of town and two to the south” noted Penner.

The featured gardens vary from small yards to large yards and themed gardens, but Penner said they want to keep the element of surprise and encourage people to pick up their maps and discover the beauty of the many private collections.

“As people tour these gardens they can get some ideas on landscaping, garden beds and other techniques. The homeowners will be on site during the tour and can answer any questions they might have,” said Penner.

The tour is being offered early in the season in order to capture roses in the first bloom stage so people will be able to see the potential in various plants.

There are a number of things that make Morden unique in horticulture - the most significant being the development of the Parkland Rose series done at the federal research station. The area is also well known for its apple and fruit breeding and the longer growing season experienced here.

Penner said the event will go on rain or shine and judging by the calls she has been receiving there should be a strong turnout of visitors to Morden as well as local residents participating in the tour.

If you still would like to see more after visiting all of the gardens on the tour, Penner noted the Morden Research Station grounds are open to the public and would be an added bonus to the day. As well, the Morden Civic Centre yard features a spectacular rose garden and will soon be the resting place of a bronze bust of Dr. Henry Marshall, who created the famous Parkland Roses and revitalized the rose growing industry in Canada.                

The “Grow Your Roots” Garden Tour is free of charge. Gardens will be open to the public from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and maps will be available at the Pembina Hills Arts Centre on Stephen Street.