The Ozarks Chronicle/The Ozarks Home & Garden

Five diverse gardens have been chosen, including both traditional and non-traditional gardens. They include challenges and solutions to problems that all gardeners face.

This year’s tour includes two lovely gardens that are directly across the street from one another. Both are woodland gardens with areas of sun and shade. Both include interesting water features, well thought out trails, a wonderful variety of plant material, and numerous surprises you won’t want to miss.

You will find suburban garden with a water feature that includes a waterfall. There are shrubs, perennials, bulbs, annuals and ornamental grasses. Come see the “dry stream” bed, created by the garden owner herself, as a solution to drainage problems.

Included on the tour is a lovely garden belonging to one of the Master Gardeners. He is a native of the Pacific Northwest and his garden reflects his origins. A collection of evergreen trees and shrubs, including some very unusual specimens, are the highlight of this garden. A wonderful ”garden folly” has been constructed. It is a fun solution to a problem which creates both delight and some extremely practical uses. The Phelps County Master Gardeners will have a variety of plants for sale at this garden. Plants for sale will be donated by the Master Gardeners and include many rare and unusual plants, as well as many old standbys. The Master Gardeners have also put together a cook book which will be for sale. Find recipes for all those vegetables that you will be inspired to grow. The proceeds of the sale will fund future Master Gardener programs. Be sure to visit this garden, not only for its own diverse collection of plants, but for the opportunity to acquire plants yourself.

A “must see’ this year is perhaps the most unusual garden yet to appear on the tour. It is an eclectic mix of traditional garden elements that have been used a manner that is anything but traditional. You will feel a little like Alice , finding herself suddenly in Wonderland. Greg Story, guitarist, harmonican, and physicist, will be playing in the on the grounds throughout the day. Louis Smart, artist and sculptor, will have some of his works on display in the garden, making it a " Sculpture Garden for a Day."

Search for inspiration, take time to relax and enjoy the beautiful settings, meet new friends and greet old ones.

Tickets are $5 per person and are available at Sands Farm & Home and Suncliff Nursery in Rolla, Bluestem Nursery in Waynesville, and from any Master Gardener. Tickets can also be purchased on the day of the tour at the gardens and also at Suncliff Nursery in Rolla. For further information, call the office of the University of Missouri Extension - Phelps County (573-458-6260).

Master Gardeners are local gardeners trained and certified by the University of Missouri Extension Service . They work as volunteers in the community, advising and helping in gardening projects.

A look at the gardens