(Photo by Martha Stoelting)

The 2013 Garden Walk sponsored by the Syracuse-Wawasee Garden Club features six beautifully landscaped gardens. Five are on Lake Wawasee and one is a stone’s throw away.

This garden walk is the perfect activity for those who love gardening, landscaping, outdoor living and lake views. Collect clever ideas to use at home from each garden. The tours will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 22.

Proceeds from the walk go to promote projects of the garden club including plantings in Syracuse town parks, hanging baskets in uptown Syracuse and Garden Club of Indiana college scholarships to Purdue and Ball State universities.

It is recommended to begin the outing at St. Martin de Porres Roman Catholic Church where free parking is available. Shuttle buses will be on hand to transport visitors to three of the gardens. Another two are within easy walking distance of the church. The sixth garden requires driving to it. Tickets will be on sale at each garden the day of the walk or can be purchased ahead of time in Syracuse at Teghtmeyer Ace Hardware, Absolutely Apparel and Gifts, Creative Fish Art Gallery and Countryscapes Gardens. They are also for sale at Countryscapes Gardens at Fashion Farm, Ligonier and Clayton’s Garden Center, North Webster.

One ticket for one price provides admittance to all six gardens. Please take the ticket with you to each garden. The ticket includes brief descriptions of the gardens and a map of the area. Look for the daisy sign to denote that a garden is on the tour. The walk will go on rain or shine.

St. Martin de Porres Roman Catholic Church is located just off SR 13 about a mile south of the Syracuse town limits. Turn east on Ideal Beach Drive and then north on Waco Drive to enter the parking lot. The address of the church is 6941 E. Waco Drive, Syracuse.

Grummann Gardens-11050 N. Ideal Beach Drive

Terraced gardens descend from the home’s level down to the lake and feature an interesting array of plants and flowers. The stones used to terrace the property are quite old and unique. All four sides of the home and the driveway are landscaped. Colorful containers and window boxes bring sprawling spots of color to the gardens.

Fallon Gardens-11054 N. Ideal Beach Drive

When the home was rebuilt in 2012, the gardens were one of the major considerations. Roadside Japanese maple and silver birch trees as well as Rose of Sharon surround the garden beds. Maximum view of the water is emphasized on the lakeside, which spotlights perennials. Window boxes adorn the home spilling forth bright flowers.

Mason Gardens-11130 N. Ideal Beach Drive

Enter through the imposing gates, walk down the landscaped drive and follow the brick walkway to the huge deck overlooking the lake. Many types of plantings are used but the owners’ favorite are the hostas, which her father gave them and helped plant. Brightly filled containers sport annuals that highlight areas throughout the gardens and on the deck.

Rapp Gardens-6908 Waco Drive

Perennial beds make each season a pleasure in these gardens. Annuals add accents to the grounds and to the large garden on the west side of Waco Drive. Note the latice trellis that is a backdrop for this garden’s angel. Climbing roses make the entry a showpiece while vistas of the lake can be enjoyed from several different areas and levels along the lake front.

Collins Gardens-11546 N. Waco Point Drive

Clever use of garden sculpture as focal points delight viewers of these gardens. Enjoy the relaxing sound of the antique water feature near the private courtyard. Color is a constant from Memorial Day through Labor Day both street and lakeside of this property. Inviting seating areas welcome guests to stop and enjoy the captivating views.

Ciesialka Gardens-6769 E. Cornelius Road

The owners have tweaked the extensive landscaping of the previous occupant to make a whimsical delight where something new is seen around every corner. A water feature welcomes those entering the home while a veggie garden is tucked away in the back. More than one bottle tree shines in the sunlight and birds are welcomed with birdhouses, feeders and birdbaths.

The club appreciates not only the homeowners graciously letting the public tour their gardens but those who attend the walk and support the club’s philanthropy.