2025 Garden Gate Tour
Our Garden Gate Tour is Saturday, June 14, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The tour will showcase six privately owned local gardens (in Fayetteville and near Elkins), the Elkins Community Center Master Gardener project, and the Beaver Watershed Alliance riparian and prairie restoration project at Bunch Park in Elkins.
Each garden will feature an education station staffed by Washington County Master Gardeners. See individual garden descriptions below for more details.
Tour passes are $20 each and will be available through secure online purchase here on our website through June 14 (the day of the tour). Tickets may also be purchased by cash or check at these locations:
- June 12, 3:00–5:00 p.m. Washington County Extension Office, 2535 N. McConnell Drive, Fayetteville
- June 13, 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. Washington County Extension Office, 2535 N. McConnell Drive, Fayetteville
- June 14, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. MANA First Care South, 2523 E. Huntsville Road, Fayetteville
The tour will be held rain or shine. Tour pass purchases are non-refundable.
The tour is self-guided. You may begin the tour at any location. View a Google Map showing the garden tour locations. Or, if you prefer, click on the map image shown below to enlarge it for viewing and/or printing.
Artwork by Diane Standefer
Please note:
- There are no public restrooms at any of the private garden locations.
- Each tour participant age 12 and over will need to purchase a pass.
- Many of the private gardens are not accessible for wheelchairs, strollers, and wagons.
- The tour is not recommended for those with limited mobility due to uneven terrain and unpaved walking paths.
- We love pets, but please leave them at home with a nice chew toy on the day of the tour.
- The tour will be held rain or shine. Tour pass purchases are non-refundable.
Proceeds from the Garden Gate Tour go to support educational programs for the public on topics of interest to gardeners.
Questions? Email greenthumbs@wcmgar.org
Gardens on the Tour
“Golden Oaks Oasis” focuses on three backyard areas on a suburban lot. The daughters wanted a woodland spot for birds, campfires, hammocks, and grass for the dog. The husband envisioned an outdoor kitchen, patio, and tiki bar, and the wife— primary gardener—needed room to grow as much food as possible.
2541 E. Golden Oaks Drive, Fayetteville
“The More Pots the Merrier” began with a few flowerpots but turned into 50 colorful pots at the pool, the porch and patio, and in the landscaped beds. The owners choose bright colors and often try new varieties. They’ve noted what works well in sun and shade, including tropicals that thrive in Arkansas summers. The beds are heavy with ferns, hostas, daisies, lavender, coneflowers, butterfly bushes and lilacs.
1376 N. Amberwood Lane, Fayetteville
“Perennial Textures” features shade trees, hydrangeas, ferns, hostas, and pollinator-friendly flowers. Moss softens the space, making this garden a restful retreat that is beautiful and serene.
1343 N. Amberwood Lane, Fayetteville
“Mount Sequoyah Hillside Garden” is perched on the western slope of the mountain. After renovating the house, the homeowners created a water garden on the front façade. Waterlilies, grasses, irises, and a Japanese maple soften the rocks and stream of the two ponds. In the back is what will become the “groomed woods.” The homeowners designed and built a fireplace to resemble the one from the original cabin. A Shumard oak marks the upper story of the woods, with an understory of dogwoods and serviceberries.
570 Vinson Avenue, Fayetteville
“Mayo Hill” builds on the foundation of the previous owner, expanding garden spaces to welcome birds, bees, and wildlife. The island beds are anchored by established trees and woody shrubs surrounded by a vibrant mix of perennials, grasses, and annuals. A salvaged trough, hollowed rocks, and vintage birdbaths ensure water for birds, while martin houses and 14 bluebird boxes provide sanctuary. Boulders and rocks define beds, create pathways, and support retaining walls. The standing stones lend a sense of permanence to the garden. Objects in the garden evoke personal memories or simply bring joy.
1937 Hunt Lane, Fayetteville
Elkins Community Center is a Washington County Master Gardeners project. It features buttonbush, elephant ears, cosmos, roses, ninebark, dog fennel, red twig dogwood, grasses, and irises. The success of this project has resulted in expansion to gardens at the Elkins Library, the flagpole garden at the Elkins City Park, and the Elkins Senior Center.
352 N. Center Street, Elkins
Beaver Watershed Alliance is working with the City of Elkins to restore a native prairie on three acres adjacent to the Elkins Community Center. Native plants will soak up rainwater, provide habitat, and serve as a learning lab for schools, residents, and visitors. Nearby, the restoration of a riparian zone along the East Fork of the White River is also underway. There, volunteers have planted native tree and shrub seedlings, including chinkapin oak, willow oak, eastern redbud, and arrowwood viburnum.
162 Doolin Drive, Elkins
“BeBe’s Garden on Mockingbird Hill” has ferns and cockscombs that have been in the family for four generations and complement the 1867 home. A flower garden with paths gave the owners a good foundation for the garden that exists today. Shrubs, annuals, and perennials have been added. Visitors are welcome to sit in the garden and enjoy the patio and a wisteria-covered pergola.
324 AR-74, Wesley
Artwork by Diane Standefer
Our Garden Gate Tour is Saturday, June 14, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The tour will showcase six privately owned local gardens (in Fayetteville and near Elkins), the Elkins Community Center Master Gardener project, and the Beaver Watershed Alliance riparian and prairie restoration project at Bunch Park in Elkins.
Each garden will feature an education station staffed by Washington County Master Gardeners. See individual garden descriptions below for more details.
Tour passes are $20 each and will be available through secure online purchase here on our website through June 14 (the day of the tour). Tickets may also be purchased by cash or check at these locations:
- June 12, 3:00–5:00 p.m. Washington County Extension Office, 2535 N. McConnell Drive, Fayetteville
- June 13, 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. Washington County Extension Office, 2535 N. McConnell Drive, Fayetteville
- June 14, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. MANA First Care South, 2523 E. Huntsville Road, Fayetteville
The tour will be held rain or shine. Tour pass purchases are non-refundable.
The tour is self-guided. You may begin the tour at any location. View a Google Map showing the garden tour locations. Or, if you prefer, click on the map image shown below to enlarge it for viewing and/or printing.
Please note:
- There are no public restrooms at any of the private garden locations.
- Each participant age 12 and over will need to purchase a ticket.
- Many of the private gardens are not accessible for wheelchairs, strollers, and wagons.
- The tour is not recommended for those with limited mobility due to uneven terrain and unpaved walking paths.
- We love pets, but please leave them at home with a nice chew toy on the day of the tour.
- The tour will be held rain or shine. Tour pass purchases are non-refundable.
Proceeds from the Garden Gate Tour go to support educational programs for the public on topics of interest to gardeners.
Questions? Email greenthumbs@wcmgar.org
Gardens on the Tour
“Golden Oaks Oasis” focuses on three backyard areas on a suburban lot. The daughters wanted a woodland spot for birds, campfires, hammocks, and grass for the dog. The husband envisioned an outdoor kitchen, patio, and tiki bar, and the wife—the primary gardener—needed room to grow as much food as possible.
2541 E. Golden Oaks Drive, Fayetteville
“The More Pots the Merrier” began with a few flowerpots but turned into 50 colorful pots at the pool, the porch and patio, and in the landscaped beds. The owners choose bright colors and often try new varieties. They’ve noted what works well in sun and shade, including tropicals that thrive in Arkansas summers. The beds are heavy with ferns, hostas, daisies, lavender, coneflowers, butterfly bushes and lilacs.
1376 N. Amberwood Lane, Fayetteville
“Perennial Textures” features shade trees, hydrangeas, ferns, hostas, and pollinator-friendly flowers. Moss softens the space, making this garden a restful retreat that is beautiful and serene.
1343 N. Amberwood Lane, Fayetteville
“Mount Sequoyah Hillside Garden” is perched on the western slope of the mountain. After renovating the house, the homeowners created a water garden on the front façade. Waterlilies, grasses, irises, and a Japanese maple soften the rocks and stream of the two ponds. In the back is what will become the “groomed woods.” The homeowners designed and built a fireplace to resemble the one from the original cabin. A Shumard oak marks the upper story of the woods, with an understory of dogwoods and serviceberries.
570 Vinson Avenue, Fayetteville
“Mayo Hill” builds on the foundation of the previous owner, expanding garden spaces to welcome birds, bees, and wildlife. The island beds are anchored by established trees and woody shrubs surrounded by a vibrant mix of perennials, grasses, and annuals. A salvaged trough, hollowed rocks, and vintage birdbaths ensure water for birds, while martin houses and 14 bluebird boxes provide sanctuary. Boulders and rocks define beds, create pathways, and support retaining walls. The standing stones lend a sense of permanence to the garden. Objects in the garden evoke personal memories or simply bring joy.
1937 Hunt Lane, Fayetteville
Elkins Community Center is a Washington County Master Gardeners project. It features buttonbush, elephant ears, cosmos, roses, ninebark, dog fennel, red twig dogwood, grasses, and irises. The success of this project has resulted in expansion to gardens at the Elkins Library, the flagpole garden at the Elkins City Park, and the Elkins Senior Center.
352 N. Center Street, Elkins
Beaver Watershed Alliance is working with the City of Elkins to restore a native prairie on three acres adjacent to the Elkins Community Center. Native plants will soak up rainwater, provide habitat, and serve as a learning lab for schools, residents, and visitors. Nearby, the restoration of a riparian zone along the East Fork of the White River is also underway. There, volunteers have planted native tree and shrub seedlings, including chinkapin oak, willow oak, eastern redbud, and arrowwood viburnum.
162 Doolin Drive, Elkins
“BeBe’s Garden on Mockingbird Hill” has ferns and cockscombs that have been in the family for four generations and complement the 1867 home. A flower garden with paths gave the owners a good foundation for the garden that exists today. Shrubs, annuals, and perennials have been added. Visitors are welcome to sit in the garden and enjoy the patio and a wisteria-covered pergola.
324 AR-74, Wesley