Clayton flower lovers: see how your gardens grow

The Clayton Historical Society held their first Clayton Gardens Tour 21 years ago, and this favorite Clayton event has blossomed through the years. Many look forward to strolling through the garden gates of each chosen landscape. Selected homeowners have graciously opened their gardens for this event, which is the largest fundraiser for the Clayton Historical Museum.

Gardens are busting with blooms in May, so it’s the perfect time of year to enjoy a gardens tour. This year the gardens on the Clayton Gardens Tour are exceptional. They are filled with fabulous flowering perennials, roses, groundcovers and shrubs. Ornamental trees are also a highlight on the tour this year; you’ll see flowering Dogwood, Beech, Ginkgo, Japanese maple and Magnolia trees. Landscapes also display striking hardscape ideas including decorative and functional retailing walls, patio and pathway foundation ideas and exterior kitchens and lighting.

Personal Touch

Homeowners have also personalized their gardens and landscapes with creative touches to spotlight certain areas. Tour-goers will delight in seeing vine-covered arbors, and trellises, raised vegetable beds, a cottage inspired playhouse and even a boldly colored chicken coup. The peaceful sound of babbling water will also be enjoyed throughout some of the landscapes, as fountains and even a natural creek flow through some of this year’s gardens.

Pieces of garden art appear in almost every landscape. Individuality shines through art, and in the garden there is no exception. Fences are adorned and garden beds and borders are embellished with pieces of each homeowner’s expression.

Small and large spaces

The Clayton Gardens Tour gives those interested in gardening a chance to see what plants thrive in our extreme climate. They can see what works, and where, and this can be very helpful. For those tour-goers that would like to see what types of plants succeed on a hillside or for those that garden in the shade, this is a chance to see what you can do with your landscape. If you have a small space, or large front yard, the Clayton Gardens Tour will give you great ideas for those landscape challenges.

The gardens of the Clayton Gardens Tour are open May 18and 19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The tour is self-guided and will take about two hours. Tickets for the event are $25 in advance, or $30 at the door. You can purchase ticket at the Clayton Historical Museum at 6101 Main Street in downtown Clayton, or on-line at www.claytonhistory.org. Tickets can also be purchased at R&M Pool, Patio and Gardens at 6780 Marsh Creek Road during business hours. Purchases at R&M need to be cash or checks.

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