Descriptions of Gardens on The 2017 Tour
(Descriptions of 2018 Gardens will be posted on the day of the tour)

A Garden Detail from the 2012 Tour.

2017 Hermann Gardens on Tour

​1. Tour Ticket Sales and Garden Flea Market
The German School Museum Parking Lot
Hermann’s original school served the community until the 1950s  (There is an entry fee to visit the museum.)

 Note: Ticket Sales Location Will Change in 2018)

Visitors:  Please do not rely on GPS to find gardens.  GPS is unreliable in both the town and country tours.
 
Visitors: Gardens #2 and #3 are open to City and Country Tour guests
 
2.  Demonstration Area at Deutschheim State Historic Site’s Two
     Gardens Pommer-Gentner House Garden
Pass through the beautiful old iron gate and step back in time, greeted by gardeners in period attire.  A traditional German four-square gemusegarten is planted with heirloom vegetable varieties, as it would have been in the 19th century. A small 1880s half-timber barn with historic tools and farm equipment will be open to explore.  Dulcimer music on Saturday adds to this garden’s unique appeal.  Be sure and sample pink lemonade and Springerle cookie.  Free heirloom gardening handouts will also be available.  Guided tours of the 1840s Pommer-Gentner House and Strehly House Winery/Print Shop are available at 10:00, 12:30 and 2:30, for an admission fee.
 
3.      Strehly House - Winery Garden
Enter the passageway between the 1842 house and the ca. 1857 winery building.  Pass through and down a flight of stairs and emerge in the backyard, where you may walk beneath a shady arbor covered with grapevines planted over one hundred years ago.  Admire the terraced garden, with its wealth of strawberries, rhubarb and asparagus.  Lovely perennial beds front the picket fence surrounding the lawn.  Look uphill for a stunning view of St George Catholic Church, and admire the vista of neighboring gardens across the back alleyway.
           
Town Tour
 
4.      Lydia’s Garden Der Gelassheit (Garden of Serenity)
It is often bursting with color and with a happy eclectic charm.  Though on a small lot, the garden seems to compliment the character of the house.  It adds charm to the surroundings and provides sedge for the bees and butterflies that visit during the growing season and a sanctuary for birds throughout the year.  The south side is cooled by the quintessential shade of three red maple trees.
Note:  Parking is not allowed on our curb, but vehicles can park against the parkway curb.  Buses or vans should park in the Engemann Memorial Gardens parking lot.
 
5.        Dortha’s Garden
In 1984 this garden was a parking lot in which the gardener seined the dirt out of the gravel.  Today it is a spot of beauty for people traveling the alley between 1st and 2nd streets.  Notice the found objects such as wood picked up from the riverfront and a variety of pots that show off happy, vigorous plants and landscaping.  Peek beside the building to see the walk bordered by hostas and ferns.
Note:  parking in the alley is limited.  Please use Gutenberg Street for parking.
 
6.       Hermann Hill Vineyard and Inn
Looking down from this vine-clad slope, one can envision 19th century Hermann, with its patchwork of vineyards, and tidy backyard kitchen gardens, among the brick homes and businesses of our German settlers.  Observe the imposing rock cliff and its tumbling waterfall.  Beds of carefully tended blooms and the terraced Norton grapevines make this an especially harmonious hillside setting,    Look for a brochure in the holder at the top of the drive, by the Rose Garden.
Note:  Parking at the Inn is limited.
 
7.       Weinwood Estate
Old World terraced gardens surround a 3 story house tucked into a wooded hillside.  The effect is a step-back-in-time to a quieter more reflective era. Follow the alternative path through the woods to the Hermann Hill Vineyard and Inn.
Note:  Hilly terrain and limited accessibility.
 
 
COUNTRY TOUR
 
8.     Hermann Hill Wedding Chapel and Cottages
Breathtaking views of the Missouri River, a water feature and winding paths bordering well-tended plantings are hallmarks of this magical garden. The owners oversaw the planting of more than 2,000 trees.  Little wonder that the pier gazebo and indoor chapel are popular sites.  Take time to stroll and savor the unique kind of ambiance that has made Hermann a special tourist destination for 170 years.  Brochure in a holder in front of the Chapel.
Parking available for all size vehicles.
 
 
 
9.       A Natural Theme
As you descend the final hill through the woods down into the driveway, the scenery opens up to a large, full sun circle drive flower bed and then on to a shade garden located in front of the house.  Visitors will appreciate a variety of sun and shade garden flowers as well as literally tons of foundation stones fashioned into walls, terraces and a fire pit.  The walkway passes a 1500 gallon natural goldfish pond teaming with goldfish and featuring a waterfall.  
 
10.     English Cottage Garden
The home and gardens are located on the side of a hill with scenic views of Frene Creek Valley.  The front entry garden to the home is entered through an iron gate while the garden has stepping stones throughout.  There are five tiered gardens, with gardens on the side and back of the home.  There is an English Garden atmosphere throughout all the gardens.
Note:  Parking along the street only.
 
11.      Joey’s Birdhouse B&B Food Garden
Prominently featured in this young garden are the perennial vegetables and herbs that have been cultivated in just a few years.  Tour guests will see six or more varieties of perennial onions, elderberries pruned into a variety of ornamental shapes and a most impressive hedge of mint.  Educational placards explaining the uses of selected perennials such as day lilies, Jerusalem artichokes, chicory, dandelions and more will be displayed.
Parking is available for all size vehicles.
 
12.      Raised Bed Garden
In this garden you’ll discover flowers and herbs growing in raised beds.  The gardener also raises chickens and turned the chicken coop into a mini garden which keeps the chickens very happy!
Parking is available for all size vehicles.