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Spring Garden Tour highlights eight public, private oases

Local artist Hat Chau has transformed his unusually configured property off Hixson Pike into an oasis of structures, textures and colors. Pillar-shaped palms, feathery Japanese maples, dwarf conifers and boxwood topiaries create a strong backdrop for many varieties of hydrangeas, daylilies, ferns, seasonal perennials and colorful annuals.
Local artist Hat Chau has transformed his unusually configured property off Hixson Pike into an oasis of structures, textures and colors. Pillar-shaped palms, feathery Japanese maples, dwarf conifers and boxwood topiaries create a strong backdrop for many varieties of hydrangeas, daylilies, ferns, seasonal perennials and colorful annuals. Local artist Hat Chau has transformed his unusually configured property off Hixson Pike into an oasis of structures, textures and colors. Pillar-shaped palms, feathery Japanese maples, dwarf conifers and boxwood topiaries create a strong backdrop for many varieties of hydrangeas, daylilies, ferns, seasonal perennials and colorful annuals.

By Staff Report 4 min read

photo The mature landscaping surrounding Jim and Jill Aplin’s home reflects an attention to form, structure and texture, mixed with hardscape including stone paths and terraced areas and punctuated with contrasts of color for year-round interest. The more formal front area is planted with small conifers, Japanese maples and perennials. A dry steam along one side leads to a shade garden that continues to a sunny area in the back, complete with a restful water feature. An elevated patio opens into a wider space with a small vegetable garden.

If you go

› What: Spring Garden Tour.› When: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, June 4 (Food Bank garden opens at 2 p.m.); 1-6 p.m. Sunday, June 5.› Admission: $15, purchase at any of the tour sites.› Website: www.MGHC.org.

photo A gate leads to the back area where formal shade gardens and deep, winding herbaceous borders hide a small koi pool with a rustic pergola in the center lawn.

Private homes and gardening/landscaping partnerships undertaken by members of the Master Gardeners of Hamilton County will be featured this weekend during a two-day garden tour that benefits the Chattanooga Area Food Bank.

The 29th annual Spring Garden Tour will make stops at eight public and private gardens located downtown, in North Chattanooga, Hixson and Brainerd. The Master Gardeners are hosting this fundraiser, Saturday-Sunday, June 4-5, for the food bank. Not only are the featured gardens chosen for the variety of trees, perennials herbs and native wildflowers they contain but also to give visitors ideas on how to combine plants with sculpture, stonework and water features.

“The private and public gardens included on our Spring Garden Tour reflect the inspiration, art and love that go into creating a unique and personal landscape,”says Master Gardener Patsy Boles.

“This year we are very proud to have four premier private gardens in Brainerd, North Chattanooga and Hixson on our tour. And in keeping with our garden program’s mission of education, we are excited to have the Imax Secret Garden and the Master Gardeners of Hamilton County’s Butterfly/Hummingbird Garden at the Tennessee Aquarium on the tour, as well as the Alpine Crest School garden, which is also a MGHC project.”