Gardens

1. The Camilleri Garden     10:00 am - 4:00 pm
   
   

   2749 6th Avenue
   
   Fort Worth, TX 76110

   The Camilleri garden was inspired by the beauty of the
   Mediterranean along with the arid yet lush island of Gozo, the
   homeowner’s birthplace. The garden reflects the colors and textures of
   Gozo and incorporates these elements with Texas-friendly perennials.
   Needing a space to provide fun and entertainment for their three boys,
   as well as many large family get-togethers, the Camilleris designed the
   gardens to be both functional and pleasing to the eye by dividing the
   areas with iron fencing, lattice trellises, and stone pathways. A small
   vineyard was planted on the north side of the property to provide a
   hobby for the wine lovers as well as to serve as a reminder of the Old
   World. A small organic herb and vegetable garden is located just outside
   the kitchen door. Surrounding the swimming pool lays the focal point of
   the yard. A perennial garden cascades over a stone ledge of small
   waterfalls that trickle into the pool. The perennials mixed in with
   Texas grasses and cacti attract a multitude of butterflies and
   hummingbirds. Finally, at the back of the property is a stone pathway
   that leads to a shady garden that is another area of play for their
   boys, and provides a lush backdrop for their family room.

    

   Directions: From I-30 take the Summit Avenue exit.
   Go south on Summit and go onto 8th Avenue. Turn left onto Elizabeth
   Boulevard. Go about three blocks and turn right onto 6th Avenue. Number
   2749 is on left at corner of 6th Avenue and Cantey Street.

2. Carol & Jim Dunaway     10:00 am - 4:00 pm
   
   
   The designated Historic Landmark house in the Rivercrest Addition
   was constructed in 1932 from the designs of famed architect Joseph R.
   Pelich. It was built on a bluff to capitalize on the views overlooking
   the banks of the west fork of the Trinity River. A welcoming circular
   driveway delivers a glimpse of the beauty of traditional English
   features and terraced gardens. The house reflects Tudor influences,
   relying on soft and natural tones provided by native limestone and
   indigenous sandstone. The combination of these materials, chosen for
   tranquil hues, offers a comfortable marriage of the English design
   element to the native Texas environment. While boxwood patterns and
   globes continue to reflect original English garden design, softer
   evergreens have worked their way through a mature canopy to divide lawns
   and frame the vistas creating a pleasant relationship of nature and
   formality. Viburnums, magnolias, and groundcovers were chosen for their
   shade tolerance and dependability to maintain the evergreen backbone
   during winter months. Crape myrtles and Japanese maples provide
   strength, sculptural interest, and color in the under canopy along with
   annual, seasonal color. The gardens honor the natural challenges of the
   quick changes in elevation, yet preserve the formal patterns of the
   site. Elaborate terraces and expansive gardens anchor the house to the
   property.

   Directions: At the request of the garden host,
   directions to this garden are only available in The Garden Conservancy's
   Open Days Directory or at the lead garden on the day of the tour.

3. Hallman Garden     10:00 am - 4:00 pm
   
   
   The architecture of our house, built in 1936, has features similar
   to Edwin Lutyens’ English country houses. We love the beautiful old
   trees surrounding the house, especially the live oaks and a huge
   magnolia. After living here ten years, we undertook a major garden
   renovation. Our plan was to add features appropriate to the style and
   age of the house, filled with plants proven to thrive in Texas. The main
   work was completed in late 2009. My daughter was married in the garden
   last March, which is the reason for the many white-blooming shrubs,
   trees, perennials, and bulbs. More colorful plantings are in the far
   northern area, around an elliptical lawn. The new garden features
   include: a cottage garden and birdfeeder area surrounding the side entry
   and breakfast room, a sunken knot garden with mixed perennials and
   roses, two large bird topiaries (a special bit of garden whimsy!), an
   allée of Savannah holly trees, a lily pond with koi and goldfish, an
   overlook pavilion leading to a shady creek bed, and a dry stacked stone
   wall that encloses an orchard of Mexican plum trees. The meandering
   stone wall is one of our favorite things. The back of the property drops
   off to a rocky, steep, and wildly overgrown hillside—providing a good
   spot for birdwatching. My garden is a joy to me every day. I call it “My
   New Old Garden.” I hope you enjoy your visit here.

   Directions: At the request of the garden host,
   directions to this garden are only available in The Garden Conservancy's
   Open Days Directory or at the lead garden on the day of the tour.

4. Holmes-Baker-Rojas Gardens     10:00 am - 4:00 pm
   
   

   2806 6th Avenue
   
   Fort Worth, TX 76110

   In 1980, home owner Jack T. Holmes and his gardener, Anastacio
   Rojas joined forces to create a formal type English garden behind his
   1920s Italianate-style house, leading to a secret Japanese garden
   separated by a wooden fence. The main garden was sectioned into blocks
   of brick and cinder paths outlined by boxwood, ivy, ornamental grasses,
   and jasmine, all shaded by a massive pecan tree canopy. The Japanese
   garden boasted brick paths with various designs of stones and ornamental
   grasses indicating water beneath a raised wooden bridge, now long
   decayed and removed. A pagoda-style tea house (original to the house),
   sits among camellias, wood fern, roses, iris, pecan trees, pine, and
   assorted volunteer specimen trees and plants punctuated with various
   Asian and modern sculptures and a huge antique Chinese bell. In 2001,
   Kipp and Bonnie Baker, purchased the house from the Holmes, (Bonnie’s
   aunt and uncle), and revitalized the gardens with assorted annuals,
   columbine, hydrangea, a double helix design of hawthorn and nandina
   around three Japanese maple, a pink magnolia tree encircled by Knock Out
   ® roses, and an arbor covered with orange trumpet vine. Master
   gardener, Anastacio Rojas has remained with the family, continuing to
   care for and update the grounds as he has done for more than thirty
   years. The result is a joined effort of design, sculpture, and seasonal
   color that will please garden lovers for years to come.

    Directions: From I-30, take the Summit Avenue exit.
   Go south on Summit Avenue and go to 8th Avenue. Turn left onto Elizabeth
   Boulevard (stone gates). Turn right onto 6th Avenue and go to #2806.

5. My Sanctuary     10:00 am - 4:00 pm
   
   

   5412 El Campo Avenue
   
   Fort Worth, TX 76107

   This hidden sanctuary is the canvas for a painting of my plants and
   treasures in an elegant style. Special memories of loved ones are
   triggered by artifacts and rescued treasures tucked into the landscape.
   Flowers—a combination of Texas friendly perennials, annuals for a splash
   of color, and pass-along plants from friends—attract butterflies, bees,
   and birds into a tiny enclave. A fascinating path makes creative use of
   a narrow passage to the back garden, where strategies to maximize a
   miniature space have succeeded in creating a year-round haven. With the
   sound of running water and a surprise at every glance, a walk through
   this distinctive gem is a fascinating journey of beauty and discovery
   offering a peaceful sanctuary for all who enter.

   Directions: From I-30, take the Camp Bowie
   Boulevard/Horne Street Exit. Take Frontage Road to Horne Street. Turn
   north and go three blocks to El Campo Avenue. Turn right and go to #5412

   From Camp Bowie Boulevard, turn north onto Merrick Street and then left onto El Campo Avenue. Go to #5412. MAPSCO 75E.

6. McLean-Williams & Italian Villa Garden     10:00 am - 4:00 pm
   
   

   The McLean-Williams Garden has a “lawn” of Texas Gulf muhly
   grass. The front patio walls are covered with 'Lady Banks' roses and a
   charming small back garden is filled with Texas natives. Along the side
   of the house is a row of Eve’s necklace trees. Designed by Carlisle
   Becker and implemented by Fowlks & Norman, this unusual
   landscape,surrounding very contempory architecture, is worth a visit.
   The Italian Villa Garden has no lawn. The front garden is filled with
   manicured hedges of Indian hawthorne, hollies, yaupon, and jasmine. A
   charming patio garden in the back is surrounded by Italian cypress.
   Roses, plumbago, pintas, ruellia, mandivillas, and moss fill small
   garden areas as well as large pots of bougainvilla (some more than
   thirty years old). This leads to an arbor covered with cross vine and
   wisteria, a peaceful year-round retreat. There will be one $5 admission
   fee for both these properties.

   Directions: At the request of the garden hosts, directions to these gardens are only available in The Garden Conservancy's Open Days Directory or at the lead garden on the day of the tour.