CAYUGA, Ind. — A tour of western Indiana gardens combined with scholarships for students might seem like an unusual fund-raising event.

The North Vermillion Dollars for Scholars looks for unique ways to raise funds for scholarships of between $5,000 and $6,000 annually to North Vermillion High School graduates.

“We started thinking about this last September,” said Nancy Towner, treasurer of Dollars for Scholars. “I have gone to other garden walks, and I thought it would be a great opportunity.”

Six homes in Perrysville, Eugene and Cayuga will be featured on the first garden tour from 2-6 p.m. EDT July 11.

“We wanted to keep it centrally located for our guests to enjoy,” Towner said. An admission ticket will provide for a sundae at the Towner home, where guests will see a variety of flowers and unique settings, including a pirate’s ship tree house.

“I think each of the six gardens are wonderfully presented,” Towner said. “I think each of the six is a stand-alone.”

Steve Vitanemi, a Master Gardener, helped Towner put the tour together. He and his wife, Lisa, will have their Perrysville area home on the tour. Mike and Becky Bowman of Perrysville have a greenhouse, where many of the visitors may have purchased flowers, but they never have seen the Bowman’s gardens.

Linda Wilson, who owns the Gingerbread House in Eugene, will have her garden on tour. She and her husband, Joe, moved into the home 37 years ago when they married, and she has been adding to the garden ever since.

“My real love is my garden,” Wilson said. “I started in one area, and it started growing from there. I take advantage of every spot.

Wilson has many quotations posted around her garden, including “A beautiful garden is a work of heart.”

“I enjoy my garden each and every day,” Wilson said. “It is an honor to be a host.”

Towner said the community has been supportive. She thanked the Danville Master Gardeners and Covington garden enthusiasts who helped guide them in their planning.

“Each of the homes is unique,” she said.

Mike and Becky Bowman, 120 E. Main St., Perrysville: Located off a busy road this lovely setting includes selections of varied and lush plants that can sprout new ideas for a home garden. The garden and porch boast flowering annuals nested in re-found and eclectic garden art, which adds to the overall visual effect of the plantings. Owners of a local greenhouse, this home can give new perspective to annuals gracing your home garden.

Steve and Lisa Vitanemi, 11166 N. 200 East, Perrysville: The Frank Lloyd Wright “Garden Sprite” welcomes visitors to this lovely garden along the banks of the Wabash River. Nature takes on an Asian flavor with the Japanese tea house, the hand crafted three-tier koi pond and the variety of flower beds. The garden is a tour of a distant land, while remaining close to home.

Chet and Nancy Towner, 1010 W. 500 North Road, Eugene: Step through the arches of trailing chocolate vine, along the plum-wood stone walkways to take in all this location has to offer. Garden beds range from full sun, to sun-shade mix, to fully shaded are filled with a variety of annuals and perennials. Features include pergola in the landscaped pool area, shade trees surrounded by a large outdoor deck, creative solutions to sloping landscape, outdoor chess set, pirate ship tree house and prehistoric fish and ferns embedded in the pathway stones give unique flavor as you stroll the grounds.

Joe and Linda Wilson (Gingerbread Shed), 4915 N. Water St., Eugene: A perennial garden treasure, the stone pathways meander past numerous fountains, gold fish and koi ponds and boast three sheds filled with garden motif. A special feature, Mr. Toad’s fern pond, shaded by a large oak tree and nestled in a petite nook on an island of hostas, with perennial ferns and complete with Mr. Toad himself. The garden abounds with herbs, annuals, perennials and metric whimsy at every turn.

Charley and Brenda Craft, 301 S. Division St., Cayuga: Sounds of a babbling stream greet you as you step into garden of quiet relaxation. Perennials add color to garden with its many trees that were planted to remember special occasions. The lovely garden bench and archway compliments a window from the old Newport schoolhouse and adds variety, along with the brick pathways, to help visitors to unwind in this peaceful garden setting.

Elmer and Libby Swisher, 209 S. Logan St., Cayuga: A bridge over peaceful pebbled waters is contained in this backyard sanctuary, complimenting the 1880s home of the site. Ornate examples of Japanese maple, baby twisted locust and mimosa trees add flavor to the annuals and perennials filling this garden space. Japanese ferns and hummingbird vine grow near Humpty Dumpty’s wall, where he surveys his kingdom with decorative stones, statues and fountains to surround the tiered koi ponds. All the features added together truly unites home and garden.

GARDEN TOUR

The North Vermillion Dollars for Scholars first garden tour will be from 2-6 p.m. EDT July 11 at three private gardens in Perrysville, Eugene and Cayuga. This is a fund-raising event with all proceeds going to fund scholarships at North Vermillion High School. Tickets are $10 and may be purchased at Berry’s Garden Center in Danville; the Gingerbread Shed in Eugene, Sollars Pet Shop in Georgetown and the Wabash Handy Mart in Perrysvlle. Tickets will be available at all gardens on the day of tour.