Annual Garden Tour

The Master Gardeners of Hamilton County are pleased to present our 39th Annual Garden Tour! This year we have chosen six unique locations — five private homes and a public arboretum — in Apison, Collegedale, Ooltewah & McDonald. These gardens feature inspired, personalized landscapes created by both long-time gardening enthusiasts and relative newcomers with imaginative approaches. Highlights of this year’s tour include: gardens featuring a wide range of plantings: colorful displays of annuals and perennials, native plants and pollinators, plus a wide variety of native trees and shrubs; creative use of hardscape and stone paths to define spaces and add interest; and “living library” of our region’s botanical legacy complete with an audio guide. Touring these gardens provides the opportunity to experience the unique visions of other gardeners, sparking ideas for your own garden while enjoying a walk through colorful and educational landscapes.

The tour can be started at any of the gardens, which can be visited in any order. Tours of the gardens are self-guided, so feel free to take your time exploring the properties. Parking is on the street or where designated. We recommend carpooling if possible. As most of these are private homes, we cannot guarantee that all locations are handicapped accessible. We suggest wearing comfortable clothing and appropriate shoes for walking. Home owners and Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer questions. There will also be signs and plant lists for identifying many of the plantings. We hope you enjoy and are inspired by these wonderful outdoor spaces!

2026 Garden Descriptions