Polk County Master Gardeners
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Garvan Woodland Gardens
In 1985, Verna C. Garvan gave Arkansas a wonderful gift. She donated 210
acres on Lake Hamilton near Hot Springs to the University of Arkansas School of
Architecture Department of Landscape. Her father, Arthur B. Cook, purchased the
land in 1920.
Mrs. Garvan started developing gardens on this peninsula many years before
that, so Garvan Gardens is now a blend of magnificent old trees, camellias, and
azaleas and all of the beautiful new beds being developed by skilled
professional garden designers.
The gardens occupy an entire peninsula jutting into Lake Hamilton on the
southeast side of Hot Springs. We visited when the spring bulbs were at their
peak and saw drifts of tulips, tiny grape hyacinths, gorgeous Japanese maples,
and clouds of white from the native dogwood trees sprinkled everywhere.
A new amphitheater has just been completed, seating about 600 people for
educational events, civic activities, ceremonies, and celebrations. If the
weather is threatening, as it was the day we visited, there are facilities in
the Visitors Center for holding small classes and exhibitions. We went to Garvan
gardens for the Master Gardener Day when there were seminars of interest to
gardeners, but we will not wait a year to go back.
There are several miles of walking paths, about half of them wheelchair
accessible, winding through the gardens, over bridges, and around waterfalls.
There are enough trees so that you won’t get scorched, even in summer, and
benches for the times when you’ve enjoyed all the walking you can stand. Many of
the plants are identified so the walk in the garden is an educational experience
as well.
Garvan Gardens is a photographer’s dream any time of year, from the bulbs
blooming in spring to the crepe myrtle in midsummer to the fall foliage.
It is a great place to add to your “must do” list when visiting Hot
Springs - or it makes a great reason to go there all on its own.
And before stopping this week, a big “Thank You!” to all of you who helped
make the Polk County Master Gardener plant and craft sale a success last
Saturday.
By Barbara M. Tobias
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