Master Gardeners host tour of gardens

Five Signal Mountain locations on tour Saturday and Sunday

Koi ponds, pollinator gardens, a swing-along bridge and even a backyard with 1,500 different varieties of plants are among the highlights of five gardens that will open their gates to the public Saturday and Sunday, June 2-3, for the 31st annual Spring Garden Tour sponsored by Master Gardeners of Hamilton County.

Four private and one public garden, all located on Signal Mountain, have been chosen.

“These gardens reflect the inspiration, art, love and hard work that goes into creating a unique and personal natural setting. They demonstrate how sculpture and artifacts, water features and stonework can be combined with various plantings to create beautiful and relaxing landscapes filled with surprises,” says Patsy Boles, tour chairwoman.

Boles notes that in keeping with the Master Gardeners’ mission of education, members have included McCoy Farm and Gardens on Walden’s Ridge in the tour. McCoy Farm has been a Master Gardener project for several years. Within its 38 acres are woodland walking trails, a swingalong bridge, apple orchard and restored specialty gardens featuring over 100 species including many native plants.

“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,” says Boles.

Tickets may be purchased at any of the five tour stops. Proceeds benefit the Chattanooga Area Food Bank as well as MGHC scholarships and educational projects.

For more information: mghc.org/31st-annual-spring-gardentour/.

1. FRANCES JONES 304 S. PALISADES DRIVE

Frances Jones has spent years working on her gardens, but says she can’t compete with the natural beauty that made her fall in love with her Tennessee acreage in the first place. The view from her land overlooks the Tennessee River and Chattanooga.

When Jones and her husband

purchased the property, it was one woodland lot. The couple have purchased surrounding pieces of land as they became available and have turned them nto sprawling gardens with 1,500 different types of plants.

GEORGE TAYLOR 809 FAIRMOUNT AVE.

This garden is hemmed in by large exposed natural rock formations on two sides, deeply shaded with large numbers of rhododendrons and azaleas. There are also viburnum, hydrangeas, hostas and other plants. Stone paths wind through the gardens.

A wooden deck and walkway surround a water feature that includes two ponds with a connecting waterfall containing goldfish and one large koi. Two smaller ponds provide the sounds of bubbling water on quiet days.

3. LOUISE RUSSELL 207 FLINT ST.

A family garden in progress since 1963, what began as a playground for their children and friends is now a playground for Russell’s swimming pool friends.

Surrounded by native plants, perennials and spring ephemerals, her garden blossoms into late summer with Joe Pye weed and Lobelia cardinalis. Goldenrod adds color and food for bees and birds, and the pleasant surroundings also include a koi pond and raised beds for vegetables.

4. MCCOY FARM AND GARDENS 1604 TAFT HIGHWAY

Step back in time at this lovely mountain property with its renovated country manor, wooded walking trails, apple orchard and restored gardens that have been three years in the making. The garden restoration involved removal of invasives, design of an overall plan, preparation and execution, requiring many hours by Master Gardeners and other volunteers.

The horseshoe-shaped gardens are designed to provide monarch butterflies and other pollinators with food and shelter among over 100 species, using renewable techniques and conservation practices.

5. LINDA DAVENPORT 327 CREEKSHIRE DRIVE

This Mountain Cottage Garden has been 10 years in the making and is truly “for the birds.”

The owner, a Master Gardener and lover of birds and wildlife common to this region, has installed birdhouses and feeding stations, a butterfly house and the plantings to keep them happy.

It began with the creation of many rock garden beds, along with planting river birch, magnolias and hydrangeas, as well as flowering shrubs and perennial beds.

Passing through arbor after arbor, visitors will discover a rose garden surrounding a fountain, a mountain meadow and more perennials.

Frances Jones has sculpture placed throughout her Signal Mountain gardens.

Koi pond at the home of George Taylor.

Conifer garden at the home of Frances Jones.

Swinging bridge on the McCoy Farm and Gardens acreage.

Stacked-stone flower beds add visual interest to landscaping in Linda Davenport’s yard.

This beautiful stacked-stone water feature is found at Louise Russell’s home.

Adirondack chairs are placed in a peaceful, shaded garden spot at Louise Russell’s home.

PHOTOS BY SUZANNE FORD