Garden Tour

Each year the Tulsa County Master Gardeners conduct a garden tour showcasing several Master Gardener homes. This year we have four beautiful landscapes to inspire you. Each location will have Master Gardeners on hand to answer your questions and explain the plants in the gardens.

Tickets for the event are $10 in advance and $15 during the garden tour. The last day to purchase advance tickets is June 6th until 4:00 p.m. Addresses for the homes will be on your tickets.

Dates of the tour:

June 7th - 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

June 8th - 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Tour Location Descriptions

1. After purchasing this Colonial Revival house in 2002, these new home stewards knew the Williamsburg style garden while lovely, was probably not the best fit for this active family. The new design would need to have more trees and space for children and dogs.

As you approach the house on the 19th Street side, don't miss the American Elm, an OKC Survivor Tree cutting. Also note the plaque recognizing the Buena Vista Park Historic District. After learning the original homeowner published a book about his years in the house these homeowners gained a unique insight to their home.

The front porch and shady side porch are lined by beds filled with an assortment of perennials including hydrangea, boxwood, azaleas, Shasta daisies and Autumn fern. Colorful annuals provide seasonal interest.

As you enter the backyard, beds of iris and lily flank the gate. In spring a blooming wisteria covers the stair rail to the backdoor. Planted by the homeowners the Bald Cypress is 23 years old. You might notice a kink way up high thanks to ice storm damage.

The October Glory maple, planted by previous owners, provides a cool canopy over the patio and a perfect backdrop for the “rabbit colony”. Perched among the beds are other interesting sculptures and yard art.

The sunny west side of the yard is home to two new Moon Glow pear trees a raised bed for veggies and a compost bin. Thanks to the available history on the home, you might enjoy knowing that the circular area in front of the fireplace was once a splash pool.

2. After purchasing this stately home in September 2021, these homeowners spent the next year restoring the property. With significant growth of existing plantings by move-in time, work began immediately on landscape renovation. With not much more than Bermuda grass and one lonely crepe myrtle, this dedicated gardener has given her Oklahoma yard the feel of an English Cottage Garden.

After removing a large portion of concrete pool deck, the homeowners were able to create a continuous bed from the northside of the property all the way around the perimeter of the house and yard. Over 30 trees were planted including maples, loblolly pines, deodar cedars, redbuds, junipers and Little Gem magnolias. Hydrangeas, junipers, lilacs, day lilies, peonies, iris and hellebores were also added at this time. After establishing the foundational elements, this new mom was finally able to get her hands in the soil, adding smaller perennials and swaths of spring blooming bulbs.  

Summer color is on full display with a variety of annuals and perennials. Clusters of Angelonia in red and white create a drift of colors. Yarrow, ajuga, coneflower and yellow wild indigo add additional pops of color. Unique limestone hardscaping makes any weeding and moving through the beds a pleasant chore.

Having moved from a mostly shaded landscape, the sunny and hot pool area is a new challenge for these homeowners. With the goal of improving the soil and allowing the tree canopy to spread, there is plenty to enjoy right now.

3. Staying true to this 99-year-old home, the vintage inspired landscape works perfectly. Many of the trees, shrubs and garden beds were established long before the current homeowners arrived 32 years ago. Adding their own plant selections and additional beds they now have over 50 hydrangeas and 80 rose bushes.

Abundant spring color is achieved with mass bulb plantings, lilacs, iris, quince and a 100-year-old redbud tree. The large sycamore tree in the front provides shade for many hostas and caladiums. An interesting Itoh peony takes center stage with clematis and hydrangea in the bed near the front stoop. These dog loving homeowners have some well-placed 'vigilant statues', overseeing the front beds.

Along the drive are more hydrangeas, spirea and a flowering plum tree. Entering the backyard the vintage vibes make it feel like grandma's garden. There are flowering almond trees, irises, morning glory, honeysuckle and a beautiful Snowball Viburnum bush. Added everywhere is the immense collection of vintage and whimsical garden art. From the swing to the white picket fence to the trellis, which was discovered in the old original garage, there is a feast for the eyes everywhere you look.

Prolific annual plantings in the beds and containers keep color through the summer. As an accomplished estate and garage sale shopper, this industrious homeowner has been able to turn many of her finds into clever planters. Every porch, patio and the pretty second floor front deck provide space for pops of color.

4. After rescuing this Asian inspired home in 2012, the neglected landscape and gardens have been tended and transformed into a private green oasis. Of the original landscape only the euonymus hedge and Gold Dust Acuba remain.

The primary challenge for these homeowners was the original asphalt driveway and parking area that covered three quarters of the front yard. In addition, the backyard had no real landscaping.

Starting with the front, the asphalt was replaced with an eye catching, concrete and stone design for the drive and entryway. Along the angled path are Karl Foerster grasses which gracefully lead you past American Hollies, creeping juniper, snapdragons, columbine, hellebores and an assortment of annuals to the welcoming porch.

The most recent projects have focused on completing the backyard landscape design. Lush fescue sets the stage for this serene and private oasis. Sunny areas provide a cutting garden, boulder garden and herb garden.  These areas are filled with a colorful assortment of annuals and perennials, many of which are native to Oklahoma. A heavily shaded area is home to leather leaf viburnum, oak leaf hydrangeas, spirea and a red-twig dogwood.

Not immune to Oklahoma gardening challenges, this garden has suffered primarily from freezes as well as rabbits, squirrels and a tomato loving dog! This year the homeowners added a hardscape feature to alleviate a drainage issue.

A clever use of space to the north side of the garage is a perfect sunny nook for a compost area and a homemade garden bench lined with herb pots.

5. Tulsa Master Gardener Demo Garden

The Demonstration Garden is maintained by a dedicated group of Master Gardener volunteers. They are trained by Tulsa County and OSU Extension staff.  Starting your tour on the northeast side of the building, the welcoming path meanders past the Memorial Arch and fountain dedicated to past Master Gardeners.

Following the path a pergola overlooks a bi-level pond spanned by a small bridge. Continue to the newly renovated west side, known as Donor Walkway. It includes a Monarch Waystation and raised beds with seasonal vegetables and many pollinator plants. You'll notice drip irrigation here and throughout the garden.

The sunny and hot south side of the building shows a xeriscape garden, filled with heat tolerant plant varieties. An espalier Asian Pear graces the wall and provides fruit in late spring. Water fountains and a pond give the illusion of cool temperatures.  The east side has more shrubs and sun loving annuals.

Gardening in Oklahoma can be challenging. “Oklahoma Proven” and “Oklahoma Native” plants are sure to help with your successful gardening. The Demo Garden has many of both. Plant lists are available.

Master Gardeners will be on site to share their extensive knowledge and answer your questions on Pond Maintenance, Drip Irrigation, and Composting.

We will be offering Small Garden Tool Sharpening services. Bring the tools with you. Donations are accepted and appreciated for this service.