Highlights of the 2012 Tour
2012 Tour Photos
*Thank you to John Cope at Weichert Realtors - Porter Properties for creating an interactive map for the tour!
The Gardens
Thank you to the following Garden Owners who participated in the 2012 Garden Tour!
Patti & Jerry Householder, Waverly
There’s something for everyone in this extensive garden surrounding a Country French home – roof garden & raised bed veggies, beekeeping & chickens. Don’t miss the courtyard & gazebo. Walk the paths to a “stone” huntsman’s lodge & barn. Continue further to a “stone” shelter with views framing a vaulted bridge crossing the property’s large creek. Patti is a Master Gardener, & all structures were designed and built by Jerry.
Richland Elementary School, Auburn
How can gardening enrich education? Come see for yourself how linking school subjects with the joy of gardening can provide a fun & memorable way to reinforce classroom learning, plus teach children more about the foods they eat. The garden was created by students, teachers, parents & community business partners. A representative group will be on hand to show-and-tell. Bring the kids!
Mary Ann Stiles, Auburn
A fairy-tale experience awaits you at “The Castle,” where gardening moves indoors with lavish interior landscaping. Catch demonstrations of garden-to-table cooking. Venture out to the storybook balcony, where beautiful container plantings enhance alfresco dining. Descend the stairs to the cool terrace featuring shade tolerant plants. Enjoy “Once Upon a Table Top” garden-inspired designs for entertaining.
Hughes Teaching Garden, Auburn
Visit this “Hidden Garden” with a long past & an interesting present! Now it’s yours to explore when you’re allowed inside during this year’s tour. Private property, it is maintained and used by Auburn Horticulture students as a lab for class work. Stroll through the cooling shade trees, grassy lawns & mature plants. See the greenhouse & student projects. Discover what students are doing here.
Johanna & Jimmy Bottoms, Auburn
Love the outdoors! The true jewel of this garden lies out back, where water cascades between koi ponds through a lushly planted landscape. The lower pond tucks up to an entertainment terrace, where the family spends as much time as possible. The covered deck offers a wonderful overview of the garden & a place to watch the games. Fireplaces extend time outside on cooler days.
Anna & Bill Neville, Auburn
Anna loves gardening! Not one to abandon old friends, she moved many favorite plants here from her former garden in Eufaula to keep the memories growing. A beautiful naturalistic water feature amidst tall trees
commemorates the couple’s 50th wedding anniversary. Come experience the screened porch & outdoor seating to see how the sound of a waterfall can relax you like a spa treatment.
Cliff Smith, Opelika
A DIY before and after, complete with photos to tell the story! Owner designed and implemented, this garden is oh, so charming! Starting from scratch with a ’50s home & detached garage, Cliff imaginatively carved out well-defined spaces featuring a courtyard, lawn & raised bed for his sun and shade garden. The result is a cozy setting for relaxing and enjoying the outdoors.
Debbie & George Purves, Opelika
Inspired by trips to Bellagio, Italy, the Purves' have transported the old world charm they fell in love with to their own house and garden. There is much delight to be found in the details, from the exquisite wrought iron entry gate & walls to the Italian-style fountain, steps & swimming pool in the courtyard garden. Visiting this garden is like taking a Mediterranean vacation!
Note: We thank the garden owners for their generosity in sharing their property, and we ask that you please respect their privacy. Please do not disturb them before or after the tour. Admittance to the gardens is only allowed during Garden Tour hours.
There’s something for everyone in this extensive garden surrounding a Country French home – roof garden & raised bed veggies, beekeeping & chickens. Don’t miss the courtyard & gazebo. Walk the paths to a “stone” huntsman’s lodge & barn. Continue further to a “stone” shelter with views framing a vaulted bridge crossing the property’s large creek. Patti is a Master Gardener, & all structures were designed and built by Jerry.
Richland Elementary School, Auburn
How can gardening enrich education? Come see for yourself how linking school subjects with the joy of gardening can provide a fun & memorable way to reinforce classroom learning, plus teach children more about the foods they eat. The garden was created by students, teachers, parents & community business partners. A representative group will be on hand to show-and-tell. Bring the kids!
Mary Ann Stiles, Auburn
A fairy-tale experience awaits you at “The Castle,” where gardening moves indoors with lavish interior landscaping. Catch demonstrations of garden-to-table cooking. Venture out to the storybook balcony, where beautiful container plantings enhance alfresco dining. Descend the stairs to the cool terrace featuring shade tolerant plants. Enjoy “Once Upon a Table Top” garden-inspired designs for entertaining.
Hughes Teaching Garden, Auburn
Visit this “Hidden Garden” with a long past & an interesting present! Now it’s yours to explore when you’re allowed inside during this year’s tour. Private property, it is maintained and used by Auburn Horticulture students as a lab for class work. Stroll through the cooling shade trees, grassy lawns & mature plants. See the greenhouse & student projects. Discover what students are doing here.
Johanna & Jimmy Bottoms, Auburn
Love the outdoors! The true jewel of this garden lies out back, where water cascades between koi ponds through a lushly planted landscape. The lower pond tucks up to an entertainment terrace, where the family spends as much time as possible. The covered deck offers a wonderful overview of the garden & a place to watch the games. Fireplaces extend time outside on cooler days.
Anna & Bill Neville, Auburn
Anna loves gardening! Not one to abandon old friends, she moved many favorite plants here from her former garden in Eufaula to keep the memories growing. A beautiful naturalistic water feature amidst tall trees
commemorates the couple’s 50th wedding anniversary. Come experience the screened porch & outdoor seating to see how the sound of a waterfall can relax you like a spa treatment.
Cliff Smith, Opelika
A DIY before and after, complete with photos to tell the story! Owner designed and implemented, this garden is oh, so charming! Starting from scratch with a ’50s home & detached garage, Cliff imaginatively carved out well-defined spaces featuring a courtyard, lawn & raised bed for his sun and shade garden. The result is a cozy setting for relaxing and enjoying the outdoors.
Debbie & George Purves, Opelika
Inspired by trips to Bellagio, Italy, the Purves' have transported the old world charm they fell in love with to their own house and garden. There is much delight to be found in the details, from the exquisite wrought iron entry gate & walls to the Italian-style fountain, steps & swimming pool in the courtyard garden. Visiting this garden is like taking a Mediterranean vacation!
Note: We thank the garden owners for their generosity in sharing their property, and we ask that you please respect their privacy. Please do not disturb them before or after the tour. Admittance to the gardens is only allowed during Garden Tour hours.
