Garden Tour 2023 Sponsored by Sedgwick County Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Program 

Visit 6 premier private gardens with distinctive themes and attractive plant selections in the Wichita, Kansas area. See below for a list of garden locations and descriptions. 

Tour dates and times:

• Friday, June 2nd from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• Saturday, June 3rd from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• Sunday, June 4th from 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Tickets are $10.00 per person and allow admission on any day of the tour to all six gardens. (Children 12 and under admitted free with an adult.) They can be purchased in advance by credit card using the link below.  Online tickets can be presented at any of the gardens during the tour (June 2-4), and will be exchanged for a physical ticket. You may also purchase tickets at the Sedgwick County Extension Education Center, 7001 W. 21st St. N. in Wichita, or at any of the gardens (cash or check only) on the days of the Tour.  Proceeds benefit the Sedgwick County Extension Master Gardener Volunteer program and their educational outreach programs throughout Sedgwick County.   

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GARDENS ON THE TOUR INCLUDE:

 

Whimsical touches can be found at every turn in this shaded woodland retreat, which at its beginning 40 years ago was a full sun spot. Now, graceful mature trees and curved paths give a sense of discovery to every turn. Multiple water features and a large pond filled with colorful koi are wonderful focal points in this garden. In addition to mature beds filled with hydrangea, iris, and Solomon’s seal, pots filled with annuals provide depth to the borders. A variety of path materials including flagstone and brick blend seamlessly to highlight different plantings in smaller beds.  The mix of fern, heuchera, and hostas around the lion water feature are a great example of mixing textures in a shade garden for maximum impact.

 

Garden of Water Views
9423 W. Wyncroft Ct.

In this garden, a front entrance is maximized with careful hedge planting, special angled pots, and seating areas that invite you in. The side path makes use of full sun with large cannas and hydrangeas as you make your way around the house. The backyard water view is enhanced with a sloped private water feature added in 2011 that provides a relaxing respite with fish swimming around. Trees across from the water follow a stone pathway that make you feel like you're entering a secret garden. The use of river rock and a bird sculpture featured in this garden serve as a contrast to the plantings. Both shade and sun plantings are highlighted to full effect with lighting at night as well. 

Creativity of Nature and Art
9129 N. Seneca (Valley Center)

Birch Lane Estate is named for the nine birch trees on the property. As you enter the drive, you begin to spot the creativity you will be treated to throughout your visit. Many plants live in these gardens in wagons and other mobile receptacles - so they can be moved around easily. The defining theme throughout the garden is creating and recreating spaces. 

 

The property is home to many raccoons, turkeys, owls, wrens, hawks, eagles, woodpeckers, orioles, and an armadillo. The past five years have been spent shaping up the property and planning and expanding the garden areas. A true joy of nature and art is apparent when you visit this garden.

 

Backyard Garden Medley
4950 Wyndham Ct. (Park City)

Tranquility and harmony best describe this peaceful backyard medley. As you wander throughout the garden areas on their 1/4 acre lot, you are aware that the spaces have been designed with a deep appreciation for using the resources around them: using large rock to build sitting benches, and fallen branches to shape a tree house fort, it feels quite natural. It reminds you that gardeners use everything.

 

There are so many different trees and plants to see in this backyard such as serviceberry, 'Prairie Gold' Aspen, 'Tiger Eyes' Sumac, large hardy hibiscus, bald cypress, plum yews, 'Globe' Blue Spruce, prairie smoke flowers, and prairie burdock. Each area is dotted with an eclectic array of art pieces, from meditating frogs, to colorful, handmade birdhouses, to a "Lucky Buddha Beer" bottle tree. 

 

Islands of Color
2510 N. Greenleaf Ct. 

During the past seven years, the homeowner has brought in 32 tons of soil to build a large garden bed, which now spans the length of the backyard. Five more beds were created, with more than 25 trees and a colorful variety of shrubs, plants, and flowers.

Ongoing challenges have been managing drainage issues and protecting shrubs from the extreme cold of winter. Mulch and evergreens were incorporated along the back of the largest bed to protect the shrubs from heat and wind.

A favorite area of the garden is the east bed consisting of hydrangeas, hostas, caladiums, and impatiens with their complimentary textures, shapes, and colors.  The homeowner considers the greatest addition to the backyard garden a home-built stone path that winds around the beds closest to the house.

Landscaping that Rocks!
2514 N. Greenleaf Ct.

When the homeowner moved here 22 years ago, there were only 5 trees and 10 evergreen bushes in the yard. After digging French drains, building berms, and sodding the yard to control drainage, the homeowner began learning the fundamentals of gardening and design. Today there are more than 20 beds of trees, shrubs, plants, and flowers in the yard, all of which incorporate rocks and boulders in their design, as well as gravel-lined stone pathways.

The largest bed is filled with both shade and sun plants, including the new golden Leyland cypress. Most of the rocks and boulders in the beds are a combination of river rocks, holey limestone boulders, plus 50 pieces of rare coastal coral. The homeowner and their next-door neighbor, whose yard is also on the Garden Tour, have worked together to make this bed unforgettable.

Buy Tickets Now!