It’s June, and that means gardens have begun to really flourish, making now the perfect time to indulge yourself in the beauty and peace of a garden walk. Whether you want a stroll of solitary reflection or a fun romp through the local flora with the family, you have plenty of great garden choices nearby.
Some are one-day guided tour events, some are gardens you can wander through at your own pace throughout the month. Here are some suggested garden walks of both types.
Garden Tour Events
The 33rd Annual Ann Arbor Garden Walk takes place on June 13, 2026 from 10:00 AM-4:00 PM. It is a self-guided tour of seven private gardens, with a special feature or two. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 on the day of the event.
Trailwood Garden Club 50th Anniversary Garden Walk on June 23, 2026 will feature a collection of private gardens in the Plymouth/Canton area. Check their website for ticket information.
Livonia’s 36th Annual Garden Walk is on June 27, 2026 from 10:00 AM-4:00 PM. There will be five privately owned gardens throughout Livonia open for touring, along with the Simmons-Hill Gardens. Tickets are $9 in advance, $10 on the day of the event.
Country Garden Club of Northville Annual Garden Walk will be held on July 8, 2026 from 9:00 AM-4:00 PM, rain or shine. Tickets can be purchased at the “Green Space” at 199 S. Wing Street, behind the Northville District Library.
Best Nearby Garden Walks
The Matthaei Botanical Gardens are located on Dixboro Road in Ann Arbor. They are closed on Mondays, but open from 10:00 AM-4:30 PM the rest of the week, except Wednesdays, when they remain open until 8:30 PM. Admission is free.
They have 11 outdoor gardens, an indoor conservatory, trails, prairies and other natural areas to explore. The gardens feature bonsai, native and medicinal plants, perennials and more, blooming seasonally from spring to first frost.
University of Michigan Nichols Arboretum is located at 1610 Washington Heights in Ann Arbor and is open daily from sunrise to sundown. Admission is free.
While the Arboretum offers a number of gardens to explore, it also offers more open wild spaces, including wooded trails, meadows and other natural areas.
Oudolf Garden Detroit on Belle Isle is also open daily from sunrise to sunset. Admission is free, except for the normal State Park fees to enter Belle Isle.
This is a naturalistic public garden designed both artistically and ecologically by influential Dutch garden designer Piet Oudolf. It is a three-acre garden divided into four district areas: the Main Garden, the Rain Garden, the Native Meadows and the Bird Border.
Cranbrook House & Gardens in Bloomfield Hills is open from 7:00 AM-7:00 PM with a “donate-as-you-wish” admission.
There are over 15 gardens around the Cranbrook House. Many are adorned with sculptures and other works of art. Some of the gardens you can explore include the Sunken Garden, Butterfly Garden, Japanese Garden, Reflecting Pool Garden, Native Plant Garden and Herb Garden, to name a few.
Start Your Own Garden
Want to pick up some good plants at a good price to get your own garden started? The Plymouth Garden Club will hold its plant auction on June 8, 2026, starting at 12:30 PM in the Plymouth Township Park. Show up, grab something to eat and take home a few plants of your own.
Explore Nature Nearby
June is a great time to be outdoors in Michigan and enjoy nature’s wonders, so check out some of these garden walks. You can also wander the trails of nearby parks like Heritage Park, Zibiwés Nature Area, the Lower River Rought Recreation Trail and Morton Taylor Trailhead right here in Canton. Flowers, woods or vegetable gardens: choose one or all and find inner peas!
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