While gardens have existed since 9,000 years before common era, the concept of an organized ‘garden tour’ is relatively new, or so they say. I’ll wager that humans have been standing on their toes trying to steal a peek at a beautiful garden since the first one was planted millenniums ago.
For the record, history tells us that in China and Japan, certain religious temples had private gardens that could be visited for a small charge by the 11th century. In the late 16th century, French essayist Michel de Montaigne was one of the first garden tourists to record his impression of garden visits to share with others, making him the very first garden columnist. Two hundred years later, organized tours of large country house gardens were popular in England.
Today, there are thousands of garden tours in the United States alone.
The Yakima Area Arboretum, established in 1967, is a 46-acre green treasure filled with display gardens, tree collections and natural areas. Their annual Garden Tour on June 13-14, 2025, gives us a chance to get off our tip toes and walk right into five exceptional local gardens featured on this year’s tour.
Seven acres of remarkable landscapes shaped by the hands of passionate and generous gardeners will be open for our enjoyment. The tour may take us into areas of Yakima we don’t usually get to. What’s more, we may discover a tree-lined street, inviting houses or a friendly neighborhood we never knew before.
The Stevens’ Garden Retreat
Lucy and Jeff Stevens have been making this garden since 1993. Over the years, they’ve cultivated a lush landscape that blends mature plantings with thoughtful design and a deep appreciation for Heritage Garden favorites. A stately oak tree anchors the front yard, offering summer shade under its welcoming canopy. The backyard is a mix of sun and shade with a raised bed vegetable garden and a variety of perennial plantings.
Hidden Oasis
Mike and Cheryl Davison have been making a garden at their mid-century home since 2017. Mature trees and shrubs welcome you into this two-acre park-like setting. Featured are more than 100 rose cultivars, miniature and dwarf conifers discovered and propagated by the Davisons, a vegetable garden with over 30 heirloom tomato varieties, and more than 100 cultivars of Japanese maples.
Our Zen Happy Place
Kathy and Dennis Byam moved to this home in 2018. They were drawn to the property’s expansive pond teeming with turtles, frogs, fish, muskrats and the occasional visiting fox. A visit six years ago to a bonsai exhibit sparked a new passion for Kathy. She and Dennis have transformed the north section of their yard into a serene Zen and Bonsai Display Garden, home to more than 50 bonsai trees.
Selah Vista Neighborhood
After retiring in 2022, Shelley and Dan Carpenter moved to this neighborhood designed for sustainability and healthy living. Their Certified Green home is part of a development designed around drought-tolerant native landscaping, perfect for Central Washington’s arid climate. Native grasses replace traditional lawns, and the entire neighborhood is a certified Heritage Garden. Heritage Garden staff will be available in the Selah Vista community building to answer questions on sustainable gardening practices.
Heatherwood Garden
Karl and Mary Graf transformed their four-acre horse pasture into a magnificent four-season garden since moving there in 2016. You’re invited to see six themed garden areas: a Japanese-influenced garden, woodland garden, meadow, crabapple grove, rock garden, and a vibrant perennial garden. You’ll see hundreds and hundreds of cultivars of deciduous trees, conifers and woody shrubs and perennials and grasses.
New this year is a Twilight Tour on June 13, from 2-8 p.m. It promises to be a perfect way to experience your favorite garden on a warm summer evening. Tours continue on June 14 from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.
Please note that here will be no Sunday tour this year. Instead, the Arboretum invites you to wrap up your garden-filled weekend at the Yakima Valley Bonsai Society’s Annual Exhibit, held at the Arboretum on June 15, from 10 a.m.- 2p.m. One of this year’s featured Garden Tour hosts will be showcasing their incredible bonsai collection!
The garden tour is self-guided. Begin anywhere you choose. Tickets include garden descriptions, addresses and a map.
Tickets cost $30 for adults, $15 for students and children ages 12-17 and children under 12 years are free. Tickets can be purchased by cash, check or credit card at the Arboretum or online at www.ahtrees.org.
You can also purchase a ticket with cash or check at each garden on tour days.
Tickets purchased online may be picked up at a designated garden “Will Call” or in the Arboretum Gift Shop.
Save the date! Don’t miss your chance to wander through these five extraordinary gardens.
• Carol Barany and her husband, John, found paradise on 1 1/3 acres just west of Franklin Park, where they raised three children and became Master Gardeners. Contact her at florabundance14@gmail.com.