Tour Gorgeous Gardens

On Saturday, June 6, the Broken Arrow Hearts and Flowers Garden Tour will feature plants to see, to eat and to smell in four very unique gardens.

On Saturday, June 6, the Broken Arrow Hearts and Flowers Garden Tour will feature plants to see, to eat and to smell in four very unique gardens. “That’s what sets us apart,” says Sally Tucker, co-chair of the event, which is sponsored by Epsilon Sigma Alpha (ESA), a national philanthropic sorority, and Broken Arrow Masonic Lodge #243. “Unlike many other garden tours, you won’t see the same plants over and over. Each of our gardens has a totally different look and feel.”

ESA members are pleased to once again present this popular fundraiser that benefits the Broken Arrow Margaret Hudson Program. Due to the 2007 ice storm and extreme rains in May, they were unable to hold a tour last year. The ice storm eliminated many trees, causing gardens to transform from shady to sunny. That gave the gardeners an excuse to dig in the dirt a little more, as they moved their plants all around. Now the gardens are ready for everyone to enjoy.

The Engelhart garden, 6704 S. 5th Ave., is a vegetarian’s dream, with lettuce, kale, cilantro, potatoes, squash, cucumbers and new blueberry bushes. Corn and tomatoes in red, yellow and purple are special features. Heirlooms and hundreds of other tomato plants were started from seeds. A large variety of flowers and shrubs provide color around the many salad fixings.

The Sullivan garden, 1329 W. Pittsburg Ave., features an explosion of color in a cottage-style setting. The small yard is jammed full with a mish mash of pastel and brightly colored perennials, annuals, shrubs and trees. A rotation of plants from bulbs in the spring to chrysanthemums in the fall provides something in bloom all season. Raised beds house vegetables such as herbs, spinach, lettuce and chard.

The Tucker garden, 704 E. Union St., addresses the challenge of living on a corner, with a strong contrast of sun and shade. An outdoor living area is ablaze with bright red, purple and chartreuse perennials and annuals, as well as pastel hydrangeas. There is a children’s garden designed for vertical picking and a family and friends garden with pass-along plants. The pool house takes on the name “Taking Root” for the day, and becomes a miniature garden store with plant cuttings, divisions, pottery, gardening magazines, and new and gently used garden-theme items.

The Frey garden, 12604 E. 127th St., is part of more than two acres of lush plants, grasses and trees that include Oklahoma red bud, blue spruce, southern magnolia, Chinese pistache and layland cypress. Water plays a large role in this garden, with a limestone koi pond as one of the main focal points. The pond’s water source comes from a 12-foot stream that flows into a 12x15-foot pool. Landscaping was done by Brad Hale of Hale Landscaping.

Tickets for the garden tour are $5 each, and are good for all four gardens. They are available at the homes the date of the show or can be purchased in advance from ESA members and many local garden centers.

Proceeds will benefit the Broken Arrow Margaret Hudson Program, which provides childcare and other social and health care services for pregnant and parenting teens while they finish high school. ESA was proud to offer a college scholarship last year for one Margaret Hudson graduate to continue her education.

Stay as little or as long as you like between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on June 6. All the gardeners will be on hand to answer questions and share their passion for plants. For more information, call Sally Tucker at (918) 455-7811.

For more information, contact

Broken Arrow Hearts and Flowers Garden Tour

(918) 455-7811