Rose Garden needs your help
One of the best known and most-loved gardens in the Twin Cities could use a little of your sweat equity.
The Lyndale Park Rose Garden (unofficially known as the Lake Harriet Rose Garden) is undergoing a bit of a revamp. Park gardener Andrew Gawboy is evaluating the more than 70 varieties of roses in the 62 beds and weeding out the poor performers. He's also working to improve the soil, fill empty beds and to get rose lovers to lend a hand.
"My goal is to bring people back into the garden," said Gawboy.
All you need to do is show up at the garden anytime between 9 a.m. and noon on Saturdays through Sept. 15. Gawboy and members of the Men's and Women's Garden Club of Minneapolis will give you a quick how-to. Pruners and gloves will be provided.
CONNIE NELSON
Arb open house
It's peak flowering time, a great time to visit the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Stroll through the ornamental and native grass collections and place a flag next to your favorite kind of turf. Horticulturist Mary Hockenberry Meyer will offer free handouts about the grasses and answer questions, 4 to 8 p.m. Aug. 24. Cost $15.
Historic cottage tours
Step back into the resort era when families would take lavish summer vacations. The White Bear Lake Area Historical Society works to preserve the Fillebrown House, an 1879 lakeside cottage at 4735 Lake Av., White Bear Lake. Guests can tour the home and learn about its historical significance in the community, 10 and 11:30 a.m., Aug. 26. Cost: $5. Reservations recommended at whitebearhistory.org.
Caffeine and couches
Need help styling a room? Visit "Coffee With a Designer." Gabberts designers will be on hand to assist you with your home styling needs. Grab a cup of coffee for a casual conversation about furniture and your personal style. Bring photos of your home, fabric samples or magazine photos of what you might have in mind. 10 a.m. Aug. 26. Register at gabberts.com.
MELISSA WALKER
