Let the Master Gardeners be your backyard inspiration
It’s one of the most eagerly awaited events of the year for lovers of gardens and beautifully grown things: the 31st Annual Spring Garden Tour. Sponsored by the Master Gardeners of Hamilton County, the tour takes place this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and again on Sunday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
This year’s tour features the McCoy Farm & Gardens plus four private gardens all located on Signal Mountain.
“For our 31st annual Spring Garden Tour, we are pleased to showcase one public and four private gardens located atop Signal Mountain,” says Patsy Boles, Spring Garden Tour Chair and long-time Master Gardener. “These gardens reflect the inspiration, art, love and hard work that goes into creating a unique and personal natural setting and demonstrate how sculpture and artifacts, water features and stonework can be combined with various plantings to create beautiful and relaxing landscapes filled with surprises.”
Boles continues, “We join these intrepid gardeners in welcoming everyone to celebrate spring with a leisurely stroll among these beautiful trees, shrubs, perennials, native wildflowers, and more. In keeping with our mission of education, we are pleased to feature the McCoy Farm & Gardens on Walden’s Ridge, which has been a Hamilton County Master Gardener project for several years.”
Within its 38 acres of tranquil wooded and open spaces are woodland walking trails, a swing-along bridge, apple orchard and recently restored specialty gardens featuring over 100 species, including many native plants.
The four private gardens feature unique landscapes including natural rock formations and waterfalls, spectacular views, a wide range of plantings suited to both sun and shade including exotics and natives, rock gardens, raised vegetable beds, and cottage gardens filled with plants creating a habitat for birds, butterflies and other pollinators.
“We hope people will come to enjoy these beautiful spaces and discover a renewed appreciation for gardens and the people who create them, as well as an idea or two to try out in their own gardens,” Boles adds.
The 31st Spring Garden Tour is made possible, in part, with generous support from Blue Cross Blue Shield, Holcomb Garden Center, Smart Bank, and Scenic Cities Beautiful. Tickets for the entire tour are $20, good for both days, and can be purchased on the day of the event at any of the gardens on the tour.
Proceeds from the Spring Garden Tour benefit educational programs sponsored by the Chattanooga Area Food Bank and the Master Gardeners of Hamilton County.
And for those unaware, the Master Gardeners of Hamilton County is a non-profit, educational, volunteer organization that plays an important role in the civic life of Chattanooga and the surrounding area.
Among the many ongoing landscaping and garden partnerships undertaken by MGHC are: Aquarium Butterfly & Hummingbird Garden, Bonny Oaks Arboretum, Chattanooga Area Food Bank, Chattanooga Zoo, McCoy Farm & Garden, Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center, and Siskin Children’s Garden.
For more information about MGHC programs and this weekend’s Garden Tour, head over to mghc.org