By Lisa Ferguson
Special Contributor
Experience the Splendor: The 2019 Celina Garden Tour
Prepare to immerse yourself in a breathtaking showcase of horticultural artistry and natural beauty as the highly anticipated 2019 Celina Garden Tour returns on Saturday, June 8, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This exclusive, self-guided event invites attendees to explore eight meticulously curated private home gardens and charming area wineries, offering a unique glimpse into the diverse landscapes and innovative gardening practices flourishing throughout Celina and its surrounding communities in North Texas.
Hosted biennially by the esteemed Celina Garden Club, this popular tour has become a beloved tradition, attracting hundreds of gardening enthusiasts and curious visitors from across North Texas in its previous installment in 2017. Designed to inspire and educate, the tour promises an unforgettable experience, rain or shine, ensuring that the vibrant beauty of these hidden gems can be admired regardless of the weather.
“Our tour homes are a true celebration of gardening glory, each one a testament to passion and dedication,” shared Lynn Balint, President of the Celina Garden Club. “This year, we are thrilled to feature a couple of returning venues that were incredibly popular and whose gardens truly captivated our visitors with their spectacular designs and thriving flora. In addition, we have successfully recruited several outstanding new venues, each bringing its unique charm and innovative ideas to the tour, promising fresh inspiration for all.”
A Journey Through Celina’s Diverse Garden Landscapes
The 2019 Celina Garden Tour offers an unparalleled opportunity to discover a rich tapestry of garden styles, from expansive country estates to innovative suburban plots. Each stop on the tour provides a distinct experience, highlighting various approaches to landscaping, sustainable practices, and aesthetic design.
Lynn Balint’s Personal Oasis: Native Plants and Abundant Harvests
Among the exceptional venues is the personal sanctuary of Celina Garden Club President Lynn Balint herself. Her sprawling five-acre property is a vibrant ode to the natural beauty of Texas, boasting an impressive array of native Texas plants that thrive in the local climate, showcasing their resilience and charm. Visitors will be captivated by cheerful daylilies bursting with color and the majestic, graceful sway of pampas grass, adding dramatic architectural interest to the landscape. Beyond these, the property embraces the changing seasons with fields of wildflowers, delicate tulips, and vibrant daffodils, painting the grounds in a continuous spectacle of color and life. Fruit orchards are another highlight, featuring mature apple, peach, plum, and nectarine trees, embodying the spirit of self-sufficiency. Furthermore, a substantial vegetable garden showcases an impressive variety of produce, from earthy potatoes and pungent garlic to slender asparagus spears and fiery jalapeno peppers, demonstrating practical and productive gardening on a grand scale. This garden is not merely a collection of plants; it’s an immersive experience in sustainable living and horticultural artistry.
Innovative Design: Indoor-Outdoor Living in Light Farms
Marking a significant first in the history of the Celina Garden Tour, attendees will have the exclusive opportunity to explore a stunning home in the highly sought-after community of Light Farms, both inside and out. This unique feature allows visitors to gain valuable insights into how thoughtfully designed outdoor spaces can seamlessly extend and enhance indoor living areas. Discover innovative techniques for creating cohesive transitions between your home and garden, maximizing both comfort and aesthetic appeal, and truly understanding the art of integrated living.
Prosper’s Sustainable Gem: Rain Barrels and Fruitful Bounty
In another exciting first for the tour, a beautiful Prosper home has been included among this year’s venues, expanding the geographic reach and diversity of the event. Its backyard is a verdant paradise, brimming with thriving fig, pomegranate, and persimmon trees. What truly sets this garden apart is its ingenious approach to water conservation: these flourishing trees receive their vital hydration courtesy of a half-dozen cleverly camouflaged rain barrels. This innovative system not only ensures a sustainable water supply but also serves as a prime example of eco-conscious gardening practices that can be replicated in any home landscape.
The Suburban Homestead: Self-Sufficiency and Community Engagement
Nestled near Celina’s northern border, a vast and productive garden forms the vibrant centerpiece of a unique suburban homestead. This property exemplifies sustainable food production and dedicated self-sufficiency efforts employed by its owners. Here, a plethora of herbs, resilient perennial, and bountiful annual vegetables thrive alongside a diverse orchard of peach, apple, fig, and jujube fruit trees. Beyond its impressive yield, this venue transforms into a hub of activity on tour day, with engaging children’s planting activities designed to inspire the next generation of gardeners and captivating chef demonstrations showcasing the delicious possibilities of home-grown produce. Additionally, visitors will find an array of handmade woodcrafts and delectable canned goods available for sale, offering a taste and piece of this self-sustaining lifestyle to take home.
Mediterranean Elegance: Raised Beds and Panoramic Views
Journey to one of Celina’s most exclusive neighborhoods to discover a home that radiates Mediterranean-inspired elegance. Here, raised garden beds meticulously dot the yard, creating structured beauty and providing optimal growing conditions for a variety of plants. The property’s design thoughtfully maximizes its stunning surroundings; breathtaking views of a nearby pond are accessible from both the inviting front and serene rear porches. As evening approaches, the picturesque western edge of the property transforms into a prime viewing spot for Texas’ renowned technicolor sunsets, offering a truly magical end to your garden exploration.
“Our tour stands out because of the incredible generosity and creative genius of the families who humbly and graciously open their gates,” remarked Melissa Green, the 2019 Celina Garden Tour Chairperson. “They invite tourgoers to step into their personal havens and gain an intimate glimpse of their imaginative gardening approaches and the passion that brings their landscapes to life.”
Sip and Savor: Celina’s Wineries and Vineyards
Beyond the stunning gardens, the 2019 Celina Garden Tour offers a delightful experience for wine aficionados and casual fans alike, with an impressive selection of local wineries and vineyards participating.
Caudalie Crest Farm & Vineyard: English Charm Meets Viticulture
Returning to the tour is the captivating Caudalie Crest Farm & Vineyard, a picturesque destination where traditional English-style gardens bloom with an exquisite collection of salvias, vibrant roses, and elegant irises, creating a truly enchanting atmosphere. This expansive 10-acre estate is not only home to over 600 robust Cabernet Sauvignon grapevines, promising future vintages of exceptional quality, but also hosts nearly a dozen charming Dwarf Nigerian dairy goats and active beehives. During the tour, visitors will have the unique opportunity to witness fascinating honey-extraction demonstrations, offering insight into the delicate process of beekeeping and the sweet rewards it yields.
Eden Hill Winery: Organic Excellence and Award-Winning Wines
Also making a welcome return is the cherished family-owned-and-operated Eden Hill Winery. This renowned organic operation is a beacon of sustainable agriculture, relying entirely on rainwater harvesting and meticulous sustainable farming methods to cultivate its exceptional red and white grapes. These grapes are the foundation for their acclaimed, award-winning wines, celebrated for their depth and character. Beyond viticulture, Eden Hill also cultivates a variety of other fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers, embodying a holistic approach to farming and demonstrating a deep commitment to environmental stewardship.
A Private Micro-Vineyard: Bees, Ducks, and Exclusive Tastings
Adding another layer of unique charm to the tour, a private micro-vineyard tucked away in Celina offers an intimate and exclusive experience. Here, tour attendees are invited to enjoy complimentary tastings of the exquisite wines produced right on site, providing a direct connection to the local terroir. This oasis-like property is further enhanced by a stunning display of carefully selected flowers and plants, strategically chosen not only for their beauty but also to nourish and support vital honeybee populations. A tranquil duck-filled pond adds to the serene ambiance, making this stop a peaceful retreat for reflection and enjoyment.
Reflecting Celina’s Growth: Urban Gardens Meet Rural Heritage
“This year’s tour beautifully encapsulates the dynamic urban growth Celina has experienced, with the exciting addition of new, smaller garden spaces featured at homes within a couple of the city’s burgeoning suburban developments,” explained Lynn Balint. “Crucially, it will also continue to highlight our rich rural heritage, showcasing sprawling vineyards and serene country properties that remain deeply rooted in Celina’s agricultural past. It’s a perfect blend of tradition and progress, reflecting the evolving landscape of our beloved community.”
Beyond the Gardens: A Full Day of Delight
To further enrich the tour experience, an enticing assortment of handcrafted foods, refreshing beverages, and unique local products will be available for purchase at several of the charming tour venues. Indulge in delightful homemade pies and preserves, discover charming home décor items, unearth unique antiques, and explore a variety of other treasures. For convenient sustenance, a selection of popular food trucks will also be onsite, offering a diverse range of culinary delights to satisfy every palate. This ensures that your day is not just about gardens, but a complete celebration of local craftsmanship, flavors, and community spirit.
Secure Your Spot: Tickets and Information
Don’t miss your chance to be part of the inspiring 2019 Celina Garden Tour! Advance tickets are available now for just $20 and can be conveniently purchased online at www.celinagardenclub.org. For those who prefer to purchase closer to the date, advance tickets can be picked up starting at 8 a.m. on tour day in Celina’s historic downtown square, situated near the charming intersection of Walnut and Ohio Streets. Should you decide to join us on the spur of the moment, same-day tickets will also be available for purchase at this location for $25.
For added convenience, tickets are also currently on sale at four reputable area retailers: Annie Jack, located at 222 W. Walnut St., Celina; D&L Farm and Home, found at 811 N. Louisiana Drive, Celina; Texas Seasons Nursery, situated at 807 N. Preston Road, Celina; and Cristina’s Stone & Garden Center, located at 14400 Preston Road, Frisco.
About the Celina Garden Club: Cultivating Community Since 1945
The Celina Garden Club, established in 1945, has a rich and impactful history of fostering a love for gardening and community engagement. Its enduring mission is to educate and stimulate knowledge among its members and the wider public; to generously share resources, expertise, and experiences; and to cultivate a strong sense of fellowship among gardeners through engaging monthly meetings, enriching field trips, and impactful community projects. Club members are deeply committed to civic improvement programs, including the proud sponsorship of annual scholarships for deserving students pursuing environmental-related studies, thereby investing in the future of sustainable practices. The proceeds generated from this year’s highly anticipated garden tour will be instrumental in assisting the club to continue and expand its vital community outreach initiatives and cherished beautification projects, ensuring Celina remains a vibrant and green place to live.
Win Tickets to the 2019 Celina Garden Tour!
Eager to experience the magic of Celina’s gardens this Saturday? Simply comment below to enter our exclusive drawing for a pair of tickets to the 2019 Celina Garden Tour! Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity to explore some of North Texas’s most beautiful landscapes. The deadline to enter is precisely 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 5. Please ensure you use a valid email address when commenting to confirm your entry.