OPEN DAYS 2026

GCGM participates in the Garden Conservancy’s national garden-visiting program, Open Days. This year, Open Days is in Waukesha County (bordering Milwaukee), and features four spectacular gardens, open on Saturday, July 25th and Sunday, July 26th from 10am-4pm. In addition, we offer a premium Digging Deeper experience, “Tips and Tricks for Perennial Gardens,” from 4pm-6pm both days, for which tickets are limited. Digging Deeper will be at the Unexpected Oasis in Brookfield garden, so you do not need a ticket for that garden if you buy a Digging Deeper ticket. If your plans change, tickets are good for either day.

Tickets for the Open Days are $10 per person per garden and $40 per person for the Digging Deeper. Discounted tickets are available for Garden Conservancy members.

For more information and to purchase tickets, which must be obtained electronically, press the button.

Do not miss Open Days 2026! Spread the news to friends and family and buy your tickets early to support scholarships, educational programming and community service projects associated with the Garden Club of Greater Milwaukee’s mission.

Open Days Gardens - July 25 and July 26 - 10am–4pm

The Sievert Garden

The Sievert Garden in Waukesha is a shade garden known for its moss in many forms, water features and a contemplative Japanese garden, has been the subject of articles in the national press as well as being included in the new book, Garden to the Max: Joyful, Visionary, Maximalist Design and in a recent article, “Moss Boss,” in MKE Lifestyle’s Garden Book 2026. The owner has creatively integrated interesting rocks and hardscaping, like salvaged cobblestones and antique bricks, throughout the garden, and more recently has created a stumpery.

An Unexpected Oasis in Brookfield

An Unexpected Oasis in Brookfield is a collection of gardens ranging from natives, cottage, whimsical, French, Japanese and shade borders, which are a symphony in green. A dramatic water feature, art and comfortable vantage points accent the various gardens. This is also the site of the Digging Deeper, “Tips and Tricks for Designing or Tuning Up Your Perennial Garden".

C's on Calhoun

C’s on Calhoun, a garden 45 years in the making, is filled with a very diverse collection of trees, shrubs, perennials (including many natives) and ground cover, layered into collections of color and texture in sun and shade. The backyard beds meander around a pool, the fence of which is covered with an interesting variety of vines.

Anglewood Acre

Anglewood Acre in New Berlin, organized by winding paths of grass into carefully-curated vignettes, is a haven for wildlife with something blooming at all times between March and October. There are over 200 species of natives and 400 hostas, as well as daylilies inherited from her grandmother, who was an early hybridizer, and a varied collection of coniferous trees and shrubs.

DIGGING DEEPER - July 25 and July 26 - 4pm–6pm

Tips and Tricks for Designing or Tuning Up Your Perennial Garden

Jeff, the owner, a Master Gardner, will share his knowledge from over 20 years of gardening through an introduction accompanied by multiple hand-outs, which you will also receive via email from the Garden Conservancy after the presentation. Next is a guided tour of the garden which will highlight practical applications of the points discussed. Enjoy a glass of wine or other beverage and treats as you meander through the garden during the “golden hour.”