Northwest Louisiana Master Gardeners present annual garden tour

Special to 318 Forum

The Northwest Louisiana Master Gardeners will hold their annual spring garden tour, Le Tour des Jardins, on June 1 and 2. This year’s garden tour will take you through six beautiful private gardens throughout Shreveport and Bossier. Tour hours will be 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on June 1 and 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on June 2. Advance tickets are $10 and can be purchased at any Citizens National Bank by calling the Master Gardener office at (318) 408-0984 or online at www.nwlamg.weebly.com. Tickets may also be purchased at any garden on the tour days for $15.

Here is a glimpse of the gardens featured on the tour:

Annaliss a Vaccari and Victor Vargus Garden: This Bossier, Louisiana garden has unique features, including a dry creek bed, Koi pond, planers and a gazebo.

Large Vitex trees and clematis enhance the garden area. The homeowners have used ground cover and ivy to add texture and interest to the yard.

Relax! Have a lovely tour.

Brenda and Lloyd Collins Garden: Also located in Bossier, this home has a wonderful variety of sun and shade plants, including a unique white Lantana. Enjoy sitting by the pool or relaxing in the wicker swing in the shade of a large Crepe Myrtle — definitely a tranquil spot.

Pam and Rick Tully Garden: Located in the Anderson Island neighborhood of Shreveport, this creative display combines flowers and vegetables in an organic garden. Various tomato plants, blueberry bushes, peppers and green beans are artfully interspersed with beautiful annuals.

Jeffrey Knighton Garden: Located in the heart of South Highlands, this garden maximizes the backyard, including flower beds along the border with interesting artwork and an amazing water feature. There are so many spots to relax and enjoy a cool drink, along with an area for entertaining with friends.

Grady and Greg Morrison garden is a South Highlands charmer! Limelight hydrangeas, colorful front beds and a stone pathway lead to the backyard, where a beautiful pool, gazebo and colorful pots invite you to sit and enjoy the view. It’s a calming spot.

Debbie and Bill Frye Garden: This stunning garden in Southwest Shreveport offers over 120 varieties of flowers! Enjoy a stroll through delightful gardens full of hydrangeas, iris, daylilies and much more. Don’t miss the tremendous water feature. Every plant is labeled, so you are sure to leave with ideas to try at home or in your garden.

Container gardening takes on fresh meaning in super-sized and unique pots.

A Garden Bazaar featuring food trucks and vendors will be held during the Red River Research Station tour in South Bossier City. While there, enjoy a tour of the Louisiana Super Plants gardens, a project of the Northwest Louisiana Master Gardeners. Mark Wilson, Northwest Louisiana Horticulture Extension agent, will be on hand to discuss Louisiana Super Plants and answer any questions. Tickets can be purchased at this location using credit/debit cards.

Proceeds from the garden tour fund future Master Gardener projects and help promote the Master Gardeners’ mission to enhance the quality of knowledge for gardeners in the community.

For more information, contact the Master Gardener office at (318) 408-0984 or www.nwlamg.weebly.com.

A gazebo features and stained glass artwork of irises above a planter.

A welcoming pergola offers a shaded spot out of the weather for relaxing.

Enjoy a path behind the garden gates.

A unique planter is exhuberent with blooms.