West Asheville Gears Up for the 15th Annual Garden Stroll
As summer winds down, West Asheville is gearing up for a delightful community event that promises to bring together garden enthusiasts of all ages. The West Asheville Garden Stroll (WAGS) is back for its 15th year and will take place on Saturday, September 14, featuring 15 beautiful gardens tucked away in the charming Horney Heights neighborhood, located along Sulphur Springs Road.
A Festive Kick-Off
Starting the day’s events, participants can join a lively kick-off at Lucy Herring School at 10:30 a.m. From 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., stroll guides will be available to help attendees navigate the gardens. Best of all, this wonderful event is free and open to the public. Just remember, as much as we love our furry friends, no dogs are allowed in the gardens.
“The kick-off is a WAGS tradition,” says Sarah Rubin, WAGS coordinator, “offering a great chance to mingle with fellow gardeners and enjoy a fun program.” This year’s festivities will include a talk about Bountiful Cities’ FEAST program and the beautiful learning garden at Lucy Herring School.
A Celebration of Gardening
The program promises to be entertaining, featuring a fun sing-along and “sign-along” of garden-themed songs led by an ASL instructor. Local environmental organizations will be setting up tables to share information about their projects and offer gardening tips. Attendees can also expect to find some tasty baked goods and perhaps even some plants for sale!
Diverse Gardens Await
Once the kick-off wraps up at 11 a.m., it’ll be time for participants to hit the gardens! This year’s tour showcases a wide variety of creative spaces that highlight alternatives to traditional lawns. From stunning water features to unique art installations, trellises, and quirky garden sheds, there’s plenty to see and inspire visitors.
As the gardens unfold, visitors will have countless opportunities to chat with the gardeners. Notable this year is Laura Ruby, the founder of YummyYards, a garden consulting and landscape company. “Diversity in systems is crucial for a thriving ecosystem,” Ruby explains, showcasing her half-acre garden filled with culinary and medicinal herbs, native flowers, and colorful raised veggie beds. “Garden tours are a wonderful way for people to share their knowledge and learn from each other.”
Edible and Medicinal Plants
Another exciting stop this year is the garden of David Cozzo, an ethnobotanist who focuses on regional edible and medicinal plants. “There’s a hierarchy in our garden,” Cozzo says, “from edible landscapes to medicinal plants, pollinator-friendly spaces, and just pretty stuff we like.” His garden features a small bog and areas dedicated to wetland plants, showcasing the blend of beauty and utility.
“If You Grow It, They Will Come”
This year’s theme, “If You Grow It, They Will Come,” reflects the vision of creating environmentally friendly spaces. Rubin emphasizes how the stroll will give participants a chance to witness how replacing conventional lawns with native plants and edibles helps provide vital habitats for local pollinators and birds.
Inspiring the Community
The West Asheville Garden Stroll is more than just an event; it’s a celebration of community and a chance to inspire each other to protect the unique and delicate ecosystem nestled in Western North Carolina, one garden at a time. Don’t miss this beautiful day filled with nature, creativity, and knowledge!
Lucy Herring School is located at 98 Sulphur Springs Road, West Asheville. For more information, be sure to check out their website and get ready for a delightful day in the gardens!
