Brook Lodge

Brook Lodge, located in Auguste, Michigan, was the former home of Dr. W. E. Upjohn, founder of the Upjohn company.  It is now a hotel and conference center belonging to Minchigan State University's division of Housing and Food Service.

While it may seem a little odd to visit a conference center's gardens, they are really quite beautiful and definitely worth seeing.  The property covers 637 acres, and contains trees, waterfalls, and many beautiful flowers, including irises and peonies.  Brook Lodge is a popular site for weddings, and if you visit, you will see why.

The grounds are open from dawn to dusk. Admission is free.

Kentucky Floral Clock

If you are ever in Frankfort, Kentucky, you have to check out this floral clock!  It's located on the State Capitol grounds.  It was dedicated in 1961, and was a joint project of the Commonwealth and Garden Club of Kentucky.

Here are some fascinating facts about it:  over 10,000 plants are used to decorate the face.  The planter is 34 feet in diameter and weighs 200,000 pounds!  The minute hand is 20 1/2 feet long and weighs 530 pounds, while the hour hand is 15 1/2 feet long and weighs 420 pounds!

There is no cost to see it.

  

Anderson Enrichment Center and Lucille E. Anderson Memorial Garden

It's nice to look at pretty flowers in the middle of winter, isn't it?  The photo above is of the Andersen Enrichment Center and Lucille E. Anderson Memorial Garden located in Saginaw, Michigan.  If you like roses, this is definitely a place to see.  It contains hundreds of roses and perennials, a brick walkway, and a fountain which features Marshall M. Frederick's sculpture, "Flying Geese."

The center itself promotes the arts and entertainment in the area, and can also be rented for weddings.

The garden is open from dawn to dusk.  Admission is free.

Farmington House and Garden

 The Farmington House and Gardens is located in Louisville, Kentucky.  This red brick Federalist style mansion was the childhood home of Joshua Fry Speed, who is considered to be Abraham Lincoln's closest friend.  In fact, one of the interesting facts about this place, is that Abraham Lincoln slept here.  The other interesting fact, is that it was designed by Thomas Jeffereson.

The eighteen acres surrounding the house contain many formal gardens, as well as an apple orchard.  It's really a nice place to visit!

Hours are Monday through Saturday from 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM, and Sunday from 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM.  Admission for adults is $9.00, and $4.00 for children. 

Park and Boxwood Garden of the Chateau de Caudon

The Park and Boxwood Garden of the Chateau de Caudon is located near the town of Domme, France.  It is situated on a hill above the Dordogne River, which provides a spectacular view.  The garden was created between 1808 and 1814 by the Marquis Jacques de Malville, one of the authors of the French Civil Code.
  It features an alley of plane trees that are almost 200 years old, a garden of boxwood hedges, and a labyrinth (top picture).

Unfortunately, the garden is open for a very limited time each year.  It is open daily from the end of June to the end of July, and during the month of September.   Hours are from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM.  Admission is free, but donations are appreciated.

Brown-Pursey House and Cunningham Garden

The Cunningham Garden, located in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, is a four acre arboretum which houses the Garden Club of Kentucky.  It is located behind the historic Brown-Pursey house, a red brick period home which was built by John Y. Hill in 1825.  General Custer once slept here.

The grounds are quite lovely.  Visitors will see magnolias, beautiful flowers, and a wisteria-covered pergola.  Be sure to visit the house and see the period furniture inside.

The garden is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.  Admission is free.

Big Bone Gardens

I'm still having problems posting pictures, so I apologize that you can't see images of Big Bone Gardens.  This garden is located in Union, Kentucky across from Big Bone Lick State Park (which is a great place to hike if you're in the area) .  It's a six acre private garden that includes 7 water gardens, an herb garden, and an adorable gnome garden.  

The garden is open to the public on weekends from mid April through mid July.  The hours are from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM.  Admission is free.

Jardin du Palais Royal

Unfortunately, due to technical difficulties with blogger, I am unable to post pictures of this garden.  If the issue gets resolved, I will come back and post the pictures.

Jardin du Palais, in Paris, France, is located opposite the north wing of the Louvre.  The palace was the residence of Cardinal Richelieu.  The gardens around it were designed in 1629, and completed in 1639.

It's a lovely place to visit and relax.  Visitors will see rows of lime trees, 2 long lawns, and a fountain in a central pond.  There are a lot of statues and pretty flowering areas as well.

The garden in open daily June 1 - August 31 from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM, September from 7:30 AM to 8:30 PM, and October 1 - March 1 from 7:30 AM to 8:30 PM.  Admission is free.

Ashland Gardens: The Henry Clay Estate

The Ashland Gardens, located in Lexington, Kentucky, are part of the 600 acre estate that belonged to Henry and Lucretia Clay.  Henry Clay, if you remember from history, was known as "The Great Compromiser."  He served as a senator and speaker of the house during the early - mid 1800s.

The gardens surrounding the 18-room mansion are quite lovely.  One garden features boxwood hedges and roses, and the other features peonies.

While you are there, be sure to take a tour of the mansion.  You'll see a lot of period furniture and interesting historical artifacts.

The gardens are open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and on Sunday from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM.  They are closed in January.  Admission is $9.00 for adults, and $4.00 for children.