Martha Dandridge Garden Club (MDGC) Tour Baxter Gardens

The Martha Dandridge Garden Club (MDGC) met at the Baxter Gardens in Fountain City, North Knoxville. Baxter Gardens is a private residence which opens its beautiful gardens to the public during the month of April as part of the Dogwood Arts Festival. Although the weather was cool and cloudy, garden club members enjoyed following the garden paths beside majestic old trees and along gardens of iris, rhododendrons, and other flowers in full bloom. The paths lead over bridges, including one made of stepping stones through a koi pond, and along a brook, which runs through the property and creates several small waterfalls. The landscape features an unusually large number of garden sculptures and peaceful sitting areas secluded among the trees and gardens. An open area with a large obelisk in the center has stones in the ground marking the changing position of the earth to the sun over the course of the year. Beautifully carved Chinese-style teak gates lead the way to a maze and an Asian-inspired garden. Some Garden Club members managed to navigate the maze, composed of columnar yew shrubs, and made their way to the center where they found a sitting area and a small fountain. Baxter Gardens sits on a hill with a spectacular panoramic view of the Smoky Mountains. Garden Club members are very glad to have had the opportunity to visit this showplace. Thanks to Deborah Werling for the photograph of Baxter Gardens’ maze gate. MDGC membership is open to anyone interested in gardening, and costs $25 per year.