Tyler’s Municipal Rose Gardens offered more flowers for our viewing pleasure. Especially noteworthy during our stroll was their Camellia garden, where nearly every giant camellia bush was drenched in enormous blooms. The park also displayed some seasonal color throughout the gardens, including daffodils, tulips, pansies, and hyacinths. Meanwhile, it appeared that most of the roses we saw had been recently pruned and mulched with pine needles.
We took a short road trip to East Texas to see the daffodils at Mrs. Lee’s Daffodil Garden in Gladewater. Unfortunately, we were a week to late; about 70% of the daffodil blooms had already faded by the time we got to view them. Still, the farm is a beautiful and serene retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city.
The daffodils are in bloom for a very small window of time, maybe at most 2-3 weeks. Maybe next year!
Banks upon banks of roses await you at this trial garden sharing a space with Gussie Field Watterworth Park. The roses here are grown without any special treatment so you can observe how they are traditionally cultivated (with a minimum of mulching and driplines), as close to your backyard setting as possible. What’s remarkable is that the garden borders a relatively busy street (Valley View Lane) and sits exposed to the elements 24/7. Therefore all of the cultivars you find here are guaranteed to endure the worst Texas weather. From miniatures to landscaping shrubs to climbers, you’ll find all manner of roses. The blooms in spring are guaranteed to be spectacular, but these roses bloom nearly year round–so you’ll always be met with beautiful swathes of colors and wonderful fragrances.
Because the garden sits adjacent to Gussie Field, there are plenty of benches and tables around, in case you want to bring a picnic lunch. Great for families too, since the park is kid-friendly (lots of slides and gyms) and shaded by a canopy of trees. Remember that the Rawhide Drive entrance is one way, and you can easily exit the park via William Dodson Pkwy on the other end of the park.
This is the northernmost of 4 rose gardens in Farmers Branch, all within walking distance of each other. The best part is that the garden is free and open to the public during normal park hours.
Secluded enough for intimate events, picturesque enough to be memorable. My man and I came across this botanical garden unexpectedly–and what a pleasant surprise it was. However, much of the botanical side of the park is still undergoing development, so it will be interesting to see how these gardens mature.
Of special interest here are the selections of native plants as well as the water features and koi ponds. Off the beaten path, you can check out the historic tree and its marker certifying its age just under 200 years old. This garden sits adjacent to Heritage Park and is very family-friendly. After a stroll through the gardens, take the kids over to the play area for some fun time.
On our current visit, many families had descended upon the gardens to take advantage of the spring color show. They had come to photograph their prom-dressed teens against the beautiful backdrop. The gardens also has several spaces to host outdoor parties or weddings, if you’re planning for a small celebration.
Turns out there is a second community garden location in Coppell, next to the civic center. Gotta love those larkspurs…and check out those huge cabbages, the size of soccer balls.
