WASHINGTON CITY – The 2013 Dixie Garden Tour features 10 lavish and unique gardens sure to delight visitors while raising money for scholarships.
The Dixie Garden Tour was created in the late 1980s through a joint effort by the Dixie Garden Club, American Association of University Women, Utah Business Women and St. George Lady Lions. Its purpose is to support college scholarships for local students while providing the public with an enjoyable and inspiring fundraising opportunity.
Each year, a handful of local gardens with unique flavor are featured in the tour with the hope of pleasing visitors, sparking their creativity and raising money. The Dixie Garden Club works closely with Dixie State University Community Education to organize the tour, arrange scholarships and choose recipients. The tour raises an average of $3,000 allotted to six scholarships annually.
“The cause is to invest back into the community by providing these scholarships. The fun is that you can see other people’s beautiful backyards,” Dixie Garden Club Committee Chairwoman Kim Ence said. “You can see people’s creativity and passion for gardening. The yards are very diverse. There’s a little something for everyone.”
“For anyone who loves gardens and the outdoors, it is a fun day of touring,” Dixie Garden Club Vice President Renate Riggs said.
The 2013 tour will be held April 27 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and features 10 gardens in the Washington Fields area. Tickets cost $10 and can be purchased at Star Nursery, Sandia Nursery and DSU Community Education. The tour is self-guided; addresses and driving directions are provided upon purchase of a ticket.
Dixie Garden Tour 2013 schedule
- “Upcycled Container Garden” – The Young Garden
With a little imagination and a great deal of inspiration, the owners of this garden have crafted planters, pots and fountains from recycled containers. While others may not find value in these items, the owners take pleasure in giving “junk” a new purpose. This eclectic and whimsical yard is sure to bring visitors many smiles.
- “Produce-a-Plenty” – The Smith Garden
While part of this yard features low-maintenance rocks, shrubs and trees, it is also home to a lavish vegetable garden and myriad of fruit trees. The owners converted what was once an expansive lawn into rich planting soil in order to grow produce to be shared with family, friends and the community.
- “Modern Mediterranean” – The Snow Garden
Visitors are greeted with palms, twisted juniper and other symbols of Mediterranean landscape upon entering this yard, which has plenty of character with minimal maintenance. It also features a pristine pool and cozy fire pit.
- “A Room for Everything “ – The Christensen Garden
On this acre of land, visitors will find an extensive herb garden, a soccer field, an award-winning grape arbor, thirteen framed garden beds and a fully functioning greenhouse. The owners make their own fruit and vegetable juice from their produce. Visitors may also enjoy a secret garden with a quaint gazebo, a barbeque patio and such flowering beauties as hydrangeas, foxgloves and coreopses.
- “Country Living” – The Howcroft Garden
There is plenty of fun for all ages in this expansive yard, which features a splash pad, play area, merry-go-round and zip line. Visitors can also relax in the gazebo while admiring its garden beds and orchards.
- “Park-like Setting” – The Truman Garden
The lush, precisely groomed gardens and expansive lawns of this yard make it a perfect location for weddings or a quiet get-together. Visitors can enjoy a beautiful pool, fire pit, orchard and greenhouse which provide fresh, healthy fruit and vegetables all year long.
- “Sandia Greenhouse” – Sandia Nursery
The Sandia Nursery has been a local landmark for three generations. Fresh herbs, vegetables and flowers grown specifically for Southern Utah’s high desert climate are among the treasures found there. Visitors may want to purchase a few for their own garden.
- “San Diego-Inspired” – The Petersen Garden
Wisteria, banks rose and trumpet vines climb along the walls and balconies of this San Diego-inspired yard. A garden with vegetables and fragrant herbs is conveniently located just outside the kitchen for the cook, and the grapevine-covered patio provides relaxing cool shade on hot summer days.
- “Cacti and Succulent Botanical Garden” – The Whiting Garden
The spectacular Victoria blue agave is just one jewel among the many cacti and succulents in this garden, which also includes conifers and palm trees. Its eclectic variety make it one of the most unique botanical gardens in the area.
- “Wild West Buckboard” – The Shiffman Garden
In this garden reminiscent of the barren yet beautiful landscape of the Old West, yucca and mesquite are artfully mixed in with juniper and euonymus varieties. Visitors can also take in the water feature, sitting area and orchard.
“(Washington Fields) is a unique area,” Ence said. “There’s a really peaceful element. It’s like stepping into a country setting even though you’re just minutes from town.”
Event details and contact information
Date: April 27
Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Location: Washington Fields
Admission: $10 per person
Contact: DSU Community Education – 435-652-7675
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Looking forward to it. Let’s hope for nice weather.