Featuring two ponds the Klein location is a rural Milford retreat of tranquil scenes and gardens. (Photos by Martha Stoelting)

SYRACUSE — Hidden treasures might be the theme for the 2016 Syracuse-Wawasee Garden Club Garden Walk. Featuring four Syracuse and Milford homes and the restored prairie at Camp Mack on Waubee Lake, the walk will delight and surprise gardening and native plant fans alike. It will be 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday, June 25. 

Tickets are $10 and include a map to find each location and should be presented at each garden during the walk. They can be purchased the day of the walk at any garden. Visit the gardens in any order.

Children under 10 years of age are free but should be supervised by an adult. Pets are prohibited. The walk will be held rain or shine.

The first two gardens on the ticket are off of South Elkhart County Line Road, Syracuse. Turn east from SR 13 on the north side of Syracuse at St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church.

• Landa-71701 CR 133-Syracuse: Turn north on CR 133 and travel acros US 6 to the Landa garden. It encompasses a five-acre property and the couple have done the gardening themselves. It showcases two ponds, a shade garden, veggie garden and a variety of whimsical garden art. New this year is a vertical garden in the shape of the letter “L” and a fairy garden.
• Powell-13745 North 560E-Syracuse: Nearby in Maxwelton Hills off of Elkhart County Line Road is the Powell garden. Owned by a professional landscaper, this scenic spot offers many surprises and treats for the eye. Bountiful window boxes and patio arrangements abound. Prominent feature area is an outdoor oasis of a swimming pool and patio. Colorful annuals add pop to the many perennials. Head to Milford via SR 13 north to US 6. Turn west to SR 15, and turn south. Turn right or west at Lake City Bank on West 1250N on the north side of Milford.
• Marquart-12485 Creek Bend Lane-Milford: The Marquart garden is at the second corner of West 1250N and Creek Bend Lane. It is a must see for gardening aficionados as it was created by a professional artist as well as a lifelong gardener. Check for vegetables grown in small spaces, an herb garden, rhubarb used in landscaping and wildflowers and perennials growing side by side. A pond filled with fish is surrounded by bright flowers.
• Klein-1408 West 1250N-Milford: Close to the Marquart property the Klein garden abounds with a wide variety of shade tress, everygreens, hydrangeas, lilies, fruit trees, grapes and berry bushes. Continue west on West 1250N and the lane is on the right. There are two large ponds, one with a fountain, and a deck with a pergola. Hard to find perennials and trees have been worked into the landscape in this secluded and meandering haven.
• Camp Alexander Mack-1113 E. Camp Mack Road-Milford: Retrace route back to SR 15 and go south through Milford to East 1150N and turn east. Follow the sign for Waubee Lake. Cross Old SR 15 and turn right on. Camp Mack Road. Affiliated with Church of the Brethren, the camp offers not only summer camps but serves as a conference and retreat center year around. Attendees can view the old chapel as well as woods and restored prairie with wildflowers. It is well worth the walk to view them.
• Syracuse-Wawasee Garden Club: Syracuse-Wawasee Garden Club offers the tour to encourage gardening and environmental awareness. It is grateful for the owners sharing their gardens with the public to achieve that end. Founded in 1960, the club is dedicated to gardening, civic beautification and environmental awareness. New members are always welcome. For further information, call (574) 528–0850.