Gardens
Heritage Side Gardens
German Garden
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BLACK FOREST (SCHWARTZ WALD) GARDEN is a work in progress. Members of Immanuel, St. Luke United, and St. Paul Lutheran congregations of Michigan City have committed themselves to the development and restoration of a German Forest Garden for International Friendship Gardens. The Garden will consist of two ponds (one upper and one lower) that flow beneath herrlich Beech Trees. Repair of the ponds in now underway. Soon fountains and a circulating pump will be installed, accompanied by ferns and forest greenery typical of Germany. Gallery Reserve |
Native American Garden
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The Native-American Garden began in the Spring of 2000 when two gardens and wig-wams were made and a council ring was added. Jude Rakowski, retired from the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore park, where she developed a deep interest in Native-American culture while she supervised the historic Chellberg Farm and the Bailly Homestead Fur Trading Post, was stimulated to honor America’s first gardeners by adding the Native-American garden to the ethnic gardens in International Friendship Gardens.The garden was dedicated on July 1, 2001, by a member of the Great Lakes Alliance, a woman of Pottawatomie ancestry. In Sept., 2004, members of the Callumic Band of the Great Lakes Woodland Alliance built a family size wigwam and demonstrated early Native-American lifestyles. A circular garden contains medicinal plants, tobacco, and beans. A rectangular garden has corn, beans, and squash – often called “ the Three Sisters. Gallery Reserve |
Norwegian Garden
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The Norwegian Garden is sponsored by the Sons of Norway Lodge, Scandiana. The garden is graced by a wooden Viking carved from one of the Garden’s fallen trees. He stands in front of the Old Clock Tower adorned with dragon heads, a decorative element from ancient times. This garden sports a long grassy walkway adorned with a number of festive flowers and plantlife.The Norwegian Garden is truly a site to behold in person. Check it out for your next upcoming event or just take a moment to relax by yourself surrounded by the beauty and fecundity of nature. Gallery Reserve |
Polish Garden
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A Garden of Poland existed for years manned by volunteers of Polish descent, However, it became necessary to move the Polish Garden to another location and so the current Polish Garden was created by Alex Rakowski. Alex faithfully made the garden from a book of Polish garden designs using mostly plants native to Poland. It is similar in shape to the old knot gardens of the monastery at Bielany in Cracow.A garden focal point was the bust of the world renowned pianist, Ignace Paderewski, which was destroyed in an arson. Not only is it hoped that the bust of Paderewski will be replaced in the future, but that a variety of clematis cultivars created by Brother Stefan Franczak will be introduced. This Polish Jesuit has won many awards for his clematis hybrids, and Olga Petryszyn, from nearby Porter County, a nationally recognized hybridizer, will be donating a work to the Polish Garden in his honor. Alex welcomes volunteers of Polish descent to help maintain and improve the garden. “ Bog zaplac.” Gallery Reserve |
Romanian Garden
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The Romanian Garden was created by George V. Neagu, whose parents came from the region of Romania called Transylvania. Following a visit there in 1996, he was inspired to begin the Romanian Garden in 1999. Two Landscape Architects, Marius Constantinescu and Livia Pop were assigned by the famous Alecsandru Borza Botanical Garden in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, to design the garden. In 2003, the Consul General from Chicago, visited the Garden after receiving the key to the City by the Mayor. In 2005, it was the scene of Romania Fest. Many weddings also have taken place there. Brides love the site and see it as a ‘secret garden’.Neagu, formerVice-President, of International Friendship Gardens, states: “ The Romanian Garden is my love poem to Romania.” Gallery Reserve |
Scottish Garden
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Dr. Gene and Romona Hay, who trace their family ancestry to Scotland, are sponsoring this garden as a tribute to Scotland and as a memorial to their late daughter, Susan Hay Hemminger, the first female elected Judge in LaPorte County history. Work was begun in June,2004, utilizing IFG volunteers and the services of Donna Pouzar, Landscape Designer. Heather, yarrow, salvias, geraniums, sedum, and globe thistles will provide three season blooms. Lions statues, symbols of Scotland, grace the garden and benches provide a resting place for visitors. This beautiful garden is another favorite with brides. Gallery Reserve |
Symphony Garden
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Originally named the Symphony Garden Theater this was the site of the first musical productions held in the Gardens. In recent years, this has been our major site for weddings and other key Garden events, including the Annual Tea and Lyric In The Gardens Series.Gallery Reserve |
Celebration Side Gardens
Chinese Garden
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Gallery Reserve |
Scottish Garden
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Dr. Gene and Romona Hay, who trace their family ancestry to Scotland, are sponsoring this garden as a tribute to Scotland and as a memorial to their late daughter, Susan Hay Hemminger, the first female elected Judge in LaPorte County history. Work was begun in June,2004, utilizing IFG volunteers and the services of Donna Pouzar, Landscape Designer. Heather, yarrow, salvias, geraniums, sedum, and globe thistles will provide three season blooms. Lions statues, symbols of Scotland, grace the garden and benches provide a resting place for visitors. This beautiful garden is another favorite with brides. Gallery Reserve |
Scottish Garden
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Dr. Gene and Romona Hay, who trace their family ancestry to Scotland, are sponsoring this garden as a tribute to Scotland and as a memorial to their late daughter, Susan Hay Hemminger, the first female elected Judge in LaPorte County history. Work was begun in June,2004, utilizing IFG volunteers and the services of Donna Pouzar, Landscape Designer. Heather, yarrow, salvias, geraniums, sedum, and globe thistles will provide three season blooms. Lions statues, symbols of Scotland, grace the garden and benches provide a resting place for visitors. This beautiful garden is another favorite with brides. Gallery Reserve |