Houston In Bloom

As we alternate between warm, sunny days and cool, rainy ones, Houstonians are noticing the hastening of spring.  Trees are budding fresh green shoots and flowers are beginning to bloom.  I have compiled a list of seven garden and gardening resources to help visitors and residents alike enjoy this time of renewal.

The Woodlands Spring Home & Garden Show

On March 27 & 28 the Spring Home & Garden Show will be running at The Woodlands, about 30 miles outside of Houston.  In addition to flowers and garden accessories, the show will feature an exciting array of seminars on gardening, organization, energy solutions, and more.

When: Saturday 9 AM-7 PM; Sunday 10 AM-6 PM

Where: Waterway Marriot Hotel Convention Center; 1601 Lake Robbins Drive, The Woodlands (map)

Cost: $9 (adult) $7 (seniors) 12 & under free; Cash only, ATMs available on-site

Contact: The Home & Garden Show is on Facebook and Twitter

Houston Grows: Houston Chronicle Gardening Section

A one-stop online gardening resource, Houston Grows is part-blog, part-FAQ, and part-photo gallery.  You will find blogs from the Chronicle’s experts Karen Huber (garden editor), Brenda Beust Smith (“The Lazy Gardener”), and Molly Glentzer (“Digging In”).  Houston Grows also features reader blogs, how-to videos, and a wonderful “Plant Search” engine.

Who: Houston Chronicle Online

Where: Houston Grows is on Twitter and Facebook

Bayou Bend Gardens, Museum of Fine Arts Houston

The legendary Miss Ima Hogg once lived at Bayou Bend and it exists now as a monument to her life and work.  She created gardens “intended to be outdoor rooms for living and entertaining” according to the MFAH website.  There are 8 distinct sections at the Bayou Bend gardens, each with a unique point of view.

Where: 1 Westcott Street at Memorial (map)

Garden tour hours: Self-guided audio garden tours, Tuesday-Saturday 10 AM- 5 PM; Sunday 1 PM-5 PM.  Last admission 4 PM.

Cost: $3 (adult); children under 9 free.

Contact: MFAH is on Facebook and Twitter

Hermann Park

Hermann Park has two gardens, the Japanese Garden and the Houston Garden Center.  The Japanese Garden is a quiet reflective space located on the Fannin Street side of the park.  The Garden Center serves as a meeting place for almost two dozen local garden societies and is accessible from Hermann Drive;  2500 rose bushes adorn the grounds, as well as a fragrant garden and an international sculpture garden.

Where: Hermann Park (map)

When: Park hours: Daily, 6 AM-11 PM; Japanese Garden: Daily, 9 AM-6 PM

Cost: Admission is free

Houston Arboretum and Nature Center

The Houston Arboretum and Nature Center is a 155-acre, non-profit nature sanctuary located near Memorial Park.  They are dedicated to nature education and offer a wide variety of classes and camps for children and adults.  Great for birdwatchers, the arboretum has a special buttefly and hummingbird garden to attract quick and colorful garden friends.

Where: 4501 Woodway Drive (map)

When: See website for hours

Cost: Admission is free, donations gratefully accepted.

Contact: The Aboretum and Nature Center is on Facebook and Twitter

Sugar Land Garden Club

Another wonderful resource for garden lovers, this Garden Club keeps one eye on the garden and the other on the community around it.  A lively schedule of monthly speakers, field trips, and workshops provide opportunities for the public to become engaged in horticulture.  The club will hold it’s 11th annual Spring Garden Tour on May 8th (9 AM-4 PM), just in time for Mother’s Day.

Membership information: You can inquire about membership and events via email

Mercer Arboretum and Botanic Gardens

The arboretum and botanic gardens at Mercer are comprised of just over 300 acres of carefully maintained trees and flowers.  Birders and butterfly lovers will have plenty to see; you can download checklists from their website to bring along on your visit.  The Texas Gulf Coast Gardener Horticulter Education Program offers continuing education for horticulturists of all skill levels.

Where: 22306 Aldine Westfield Road, Humble, TX (map)

When: Summer hours begin Monday, March 22: Monday-Saturday 8 AM-7 PM; Sunday 10 AM-7 PM

Cost: Tours are free, donations are accepted.  Reservations for amenities are recommended.

Photo Credit: Christina Uticone