The Quilt Gardens are known for lovely flowers, peaceful surroundings and vibrant downtowns. But there’s more to every story at each Quilt Garden site. Here are some of our favorite examples:
Garden for a cause
One Quilt Garden packs a powerful message within its brilliant blooms. Each year, Linton’s Enchanted Garden incorporates the new breast cancer awareness pattern of the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer Research into its garden. This year, the garden, Kaleidescope Blooms, pairs with the Hope Blooms pattern.
Historical effect
The Quilt Garden at Ruthmere is literally in the shadow of Elkhart’s history. And it is for that reason why the garden bed is not angled for easier viewing, as it is with most of the other Quilt Gardens. Rules regulating historic sites means that garden may only appear as it might have back in the day, meaning no slope on the garden bed.
The originals
The Quilt Gardens originally started with two test gardens. In 2022, those two pilot locations are back once again participating together with their other partners. One original site, Das Dutchman Essenhaus in Middlebury has been offering the biggest garden now for 16 years (the test year plus 15 official years) while Southgate, then called American Countryside Farmers Market, returns after a 3 year break from participation.
Recognition of service
The Quilt Garden at the Elkhart County 4-H Fairgrounds returns in 2022 with a renewal of their “Head, Heart, Hands and Health” Quilt Garden pattern. This design originally was on the 2014 Quilt Garden tour and was one of their most popular designs over their 15 years of participation. It’s vibrant color palette radiates exuberance and recognizes all of the many young 4-Her’s in Elkhart County who are committed to community service, hard work, ingenuity and healthy practices.
Garden Anniversary Gift
The Abshire Park Quilt Garden pays homage to the 15th Anniversary Celebration of the Quilt Gardens with their Towering of Gifts garden design. This playful “three tier” pattern looks like a tower of presents complete with a bow on top but all in annuals for visitors to their site this year. The Abshire Park garden is managed by the Goshen Parks & Recreation Department team who wanted to give their gift of time, energy, nurture and nature to all who visit their location in 2022.
