The Allison and David Jarvis garden is one of the sites featured on the tour this year.
May 5, 2024 - The award-winning Smith County Master Gardeners will once again open the gates to their annual home garden tour, showcasing the green-thumb talent and horticultural delights of local enthusiasts. This year's tour (held rain or shine) promises to be a feast for the senses, featuring a variety of gardens brimming with floral beauty and creative landscaping.
One of the highlights of the tour is the Randy and Curtis Watson-Brown garden, a masterpiece designed by renowned architect E. Davis Wilcox. Nestled within this enchanting landscape are azaleas and camellias, alongside captivating wildflower gardens and a serene rock garden. With its diverse array of flora, this garden serves as a haven for pollinators, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in nature's beauty.
The Dennis and Donna Cullinane garden is another gem on the tour, boasting the charm of an English garden with its stone pathways and curated collection of cacti. The Cullinane’s have lovingly preserved Sue Holder's botanical legacy, adding their own touches with Muy Grande hibiscus and American beautyberry bushes that yield delectable jelly each year.
For those seeking a tranquil retreat, the Catherine and Craig Harrison garden offers a serene escape with its cottage-style ambiance and lush greenery. Catherine's passion for gardening is evident in every corner of this enchanting space, where fruit trees, heirloom bulbs, and colorful roses create a symphony of colors and fragrances. Catherine and I grew up and went to school together and apparently drank from the same fountain of inspiration.
Architectural landscaping takes center stage at the Allison and David Jarvis garden, where early Smith County nurseryman Maurice Shamburger's original vision has been brought to life with restored azalea borders and an impressive array of antique and David Austin roses. Visitors can explore the transition from shaded to sunny gardens, marveling at the beauty of each specimen.
Last but not least, the Debra and Randy Roberts Garden showcases the transformative power of a dedicated gardener's touch. Since 1997, the Roberts have transformed their landscape with a mix of roses, shrubs, and flowering plants, including the iconic Peggy Martin roses. The backyard even boasts blueberries and a vineyard, adding to the garden's charm and productivity.
Throughout the tour, certified Master Gardener docents will be on hand to provide insights, answer questions, and offer tips on Earth-Kind® gardening practices. Proceeds from the tour support the Master Gardener volunteer educator program in Smith County, ensuring continued access to science-based horticultural information for the community and scholarships for horticulture students.
Tickets for the tour can be purchased in advance for $15 per person or $20 at the gate, with children under 12 admitted free of charge. While not all gardens are wheelchair accessible, visitors are sure to find inspiration and beauty at every turn.
Tickets are available online at txmg.org/smith/events. For more information, contact the Smith County Master Gardener Help Desk at 903-590-2994 or email SmithMGHelpDesk@gmail.com.
Greg Grant is the Smith County horticulturist and Master Gardener coordinator for the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. He is the author of Texas Fruit and Vegetable Gardening, Texas Home Landscaping, Heirloom Gardening in the South, and The Rose Rustlers. You can read his “Greg’s Ramblings” blog at arborgate.com, read his “In Greg’s Garden” in each issue of Texas Gardener magazine (texasgardener.com), or follow him on Facebook at “Greg Grant Gardens.” More science-based lawn and gardening information from the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service can be found at aggieturf.tamu.edu and aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu.
