The second Lee County Master Gardeners’ Home Garden Tour is
Saturday, May 17, 10-5, and Sunday, May 18, 1-6. (The first was in 2006.) Tour at your own pace and itinerary - do it all in one day, or two, whatever you wish. Rain or shine - no rain date. There will be knowledgeable Master Gardeners on hand to answer any of your plant questions.
Tickets are $15 at the door for the entire tour, or $5 per garden, if you only want to take in one or two. Starting May 1, tickets may be purchased in advance for $12. children under 12 are free. (There will be no advanced tickets available on the day of the event.) Proceeds benefit the work of the Lee County Master Gardeners Association, including renovation of the demonstration garden at Kiesel Park.
2008 Tour Gardens include:
In Auburn:
Richard & Suzanne Brinker
Open-work brick walls surround this Charlestonian-style shade garden
where green and white predominate. All hardscape work was accomplished
by the hands of the owners. The garden features terraces, a rondel and
an arbored garden shed.
J.O. & Angie Conway
A children’s delight with koi pond, imaginative play area and wooden
folk-art sculptures and birdhouses all in a certified wildlife habitat.
A plant collectors dream where one can learn about composting and
attracting all varieties of backyard swimmers, crawlers, climbers &
fliers.
Bob Eklund
Santa Fe-style garden featuring many unusual plants. A collection of 50
bromeliads was saved from New Orleans right before Katrina are displayed
on pedestals in a special garden enclave. Massed plantings with colors
running from cool to hot distinguish this garden.
Allen & Kay Harris
Stucco French country manor has a wall topped with flowers leading to
the back yard. Entertainment is the focus. A columned terrace and large
pool deck provide plenty of room for outdoor living. Rows of evergreen
trees create privacy and serve as a backdrop for colorful plantings in
beds and containers.
Special Collections
Tommy Chase - Bonsai - Auburn
The backyard houses a bonsai collection of approximately 100 trees started in the early 1970s by the owner, a talented bonsai artist who will answer questions on the art. Bonsai maples, azaleas and junipers are displayed along with their suisheki (viewing stones).
William Shell - Japanese Maples - Auburn
The colorful Shell garden includes a 40 year collection of 100 plus cultivars of Japanese maples, many grafted by the owner. Stroll along the path to the 70-foot cascading water feature with koi pond and two waterfalls
In Opelika:
Tom & Michelle Westmoreland
A cottage garden with a folk art flavor was created by a talented potter who has been fashioning additional clay garden ornaments of the tour. Magical places with surprises
at every turn. Note the shady retreat across the creek shared with neighbors.
