Gardening Tips and Information

The Gardening page is constantly updated with new and relevant gardening techniques to help your garden grow. It also includes information on different types of gardens and even includes garden-related activities!

Schoepfle Garden

11106 Market Street,
Wakeman, OH 44889

Schoepfle Garden is truly beautiful—70 acres of botanical gardens and natural woodland bordered on one side by the Vermilion River. The garden features collections of rhododendrons, roses, cannas, hostas, shade plants, and varieties of shrubs, topiaries and trees. Enjoy the natural beauty of the garden by participating in a guided tour or wandering at you own pace. Also on the premises are a children’s garden, a carousel (runs seasonally) and 2 miles of wooded hiking trails.

This gorgeous “garden that grew” has quite a bit of history behind it and the Lorain County Metro Parks has the namesake, Mr. Otto B. Schoepfle to thank for that. Visit the Schoepfle Garden page or visit the Visitor’s Center to learn all about how this gem came to be.

Miller Nature Preserve

2739 Center Road
Avon, OH 44011

Miller Nature Preserve’s 5,000-square-foot conservatory is the first of its kind in Lorain County and is perfect place to enjoy beautiful plants and flowers all year-round. Displayed in the conservatory are various plant specimens from all over the world in a unique re-creation of their habitat such as orchids, bromeliads, ferns, bonsai, desert plants, palms, cycads, and other tropical plants. During the warmer months, visitors can venture outside of the conservatory and stroll through the outdoor garden which includes an herb garden, rose garden, lily pond and even a Butterfly House (open seasonally from the third week of June through Labor Day). Also a part of Miller Nature Preserve are the Orchid Café (open Tuesdays - Saturdays, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.) where visitors can take a break from the gardens and enjoy a lunch or an early dinner and 1.1 miles of hiking trails through the woods and along the French Creek.

Rose Garden at Lakeview Park

1800 West Erie Avenue
Lorain, OH 44052

The Rose Garden is a beautiful addition to the already gorgeous Lake Erie views of Lakeview Park in Lorain. Visitors can walk through at their own pace and smell the approximately 2,500 roses that sit in the 48 beds of the garden. The Rose Garden at Lakeview Park was originally dedicated on May 30, 1932 and was sponsored by 17 community organizations, including the Lorain Rotary, hence the shape of the Rose Garden. An aerial look at the garden shows the iconic Rotary logo of a wheel with 8 spokes.

The renovation and restoration of the Historic Rose Garden in 2005 was made possible by the combined effort of local businesses, groups and organizations, and citizens of the community. Roses have been planted to honor and commemorate loved ones who have had ties to the community or to the garden itself over the years.

Garden Tours

Tours are offered throughout the year at Schoepfle Garden, Miller Nature Preserve, and Lakeview Park. A schedule can be found in the program guide, The Arrowhead. You can also call Schoepfle Garden at (440) 985-7237, Miller Nature Preserve at (440) 937-0764, and Lakeview Park at (440) 245-1193 to schedule a tour for your group of 15 or more.

Programs

Numerous gardening programs take place throughout the year featuring things such as pruning techniques, herbs, garden tours, and more! These programs take place year round and at several parks though the majority of gardening programs are at Miller Nature Preserve, Schoepfle Garden and the Lakeview Park Historical Rose Garden.

Annual Programs

HERB FAIR
Mill Hollow, Vermilion River Reservation,
51211 North Ridge Rd., Vermilion, OH

Last weekend in April, annually

Leap into spring with Mill Hollow’s Herb Fair! This event has become a spring tradition for garden enthusiasts as well as those interested in shopping for unique and local products. Local plant nurseries have wide selections of top quality plants and gardening essentials. Other local vendors have herb-related items for purchase, such as teas and soaps. Food vendors are available for those interested in lunch or a snack, and Friends of the Metro Parks have coffee for purchase.