Saturday May 9th
10 a.m. — 4 p.m.

Maximalist Garden Oasis

Master Gardener: Johan Salvador Tavares

In the historically preserved neighborhood of Winnetka Heights lies a backyard wonderland composed of a unique collection of tropical plants, native and adaptive perennials, and an array of annuals that have survived multiple winters with surprising resilience. The rich lushness and long-term viability of these tropical and annual specimens is made possible by a thoughtful system of small bespoke greenhouses, protective structures, and careful microclimate management built around the most tender vegetation.

Masterful Minimalist

Master Gardener: Mary Calvo

This meticulously curated space is a beautiful example of how you can artfully transform small yards into truly spectacular living spaces. Under the towering canopy of magnolias and crape myrtles lies a meandering border composed of layered greens—neatly trimmed hedges, gently swaying ornamental grasses, and the bright chartreuse of creeping ground covers—creating a lush, inviting edge that perfectly frames the compact garden both in the backyard and the lush front yard.

Poolside Retreat

Master Gardener: Joanna Robben

In this poolside retreat, you are gently transported into a wild, enchanting scene of natural beauty and calm. Your gaze is immediately caught by the whimsical wonder of native wildflowers, flourishing around the edges that gracefully surround the shimmering, sunlit pool.

Shade Shangri-la

Master Gardener: Hank Hammett

Directly across from the expansive greenery of historic Lake Cliff Park, you will find a partially shaded and delightfully landscaped backyard offering a tranquil retreat just steps away. Adorned with an array of hardy groundcovers and native species of flowers, the space thrives beneath the dappled light of several large, majestic trees, creating a peaceful, natural atmosphere.

Japanese Garden

Kidd Springs Park

This Japanese garden sits on the hillsides next to a 2 acre, spring-fed pond in a shady, peaceful corner of one of Dallas’ neighborhood parks. The garden’s trees include deodar cedars, Japanese black pines (kuromatsu 黒松), sabal palms, Japanese maples (momiji もみぢ), Afghan pines, golden rain tree and Japanese maidenhair (aka Ginkgo biloba). A variety of bamboo species, azaleas, camellias, and shady beds of perennials line the walkways overlooking the pond. Other features include Japanese antiquities typical of those found in traditional Edo Period strolling gardens in Japan including two 18th century Buddhist sculptures as well as a magnificent ten-foot tall carved-granite stone lantern (ishi-dōrō 石灯籠). It is believed that the lantern and sculptures were a gift from petroleum heiress, Ethyl Buell.

Pineapple Fountain Garden

Lake Cliff Park

Opened in 1906 as a private amusement park by Charles Mangold, the site was dubbed “the Southwest’s Greatest Playground.” After subsequent owners ran into financial troubles, the City of Dallas purchased the property in 1914. Five years later George Kessler developed a master plan for the site, but no evidence of that plan’s construction survives.

Located in the Lake Cliff Historic District, the 45-acre park is built around a sunken lake that forms the core of the naturalistic landscape. Bounded by bald cypress, eastern red cedar, pecans, and cottonwoods, the lake reflects the downtown Dallas skyline to the northeast. The park’s northwest entrance, marked by the pergola, encloses the multi-tiered rose garden. Its sandy yellow and burnt orange stonework references the native Texas color palette. Employing a cruciform design, the pergola and garden enclose a rectangular pool and sculptural fountain executed in a rosebud motif. The longitudinal axis of the pool leads from the street down a wide staircase to the lake edge. Studio Tincup and the Friends of Oak Cliff Park restored the garden in 2008 and, two years later, restoration of the pergola was completed by Dallas Park and Recreation.