07/28/2025
Master Gardeners of Wayne County Celebrate Annual Garden Tour in Lyons
LYONS, Jul 26 25 — The Master Gardeners of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Wayne County continued a cherished local tradition this July with their annual Gardens of Wayne County Tour, now in its 16th year. What began in 2010 with six beautiful gardens spread across the towns of Ontario, Williamson, and Sodus has grown into a countywide celebration of horticultural artistry and community pride.
Each year, the tour moves to a different area within Wayne County, offering fresh inspiration and showcasing the diversity of gardens across the region.
This year's tour highlighted five spectacular gardens located entirely in Lyons, drawing visitors from around the area to explore lush landscapes, creative garden features, and seasonal beauty in full summer splendor.
Originally held around the spring equinox in June, the event eventually shifted to July, allowing vegetable gardens more time to flourish and giving guests the opportunity to see a wider range of plants at their peak.
This year’s attendees were treated to a variety of sights and surprises, with many pausing to admire a vibrant coneflower display — "I have never seen such a large coneflower garden," one visitor marveled. Others were captivated by the wildlife and whimsy woven throughout the gardens: “The number of hummingbirds on the bee balm was awesome,” said another guest.
A fairy garden with a gnome tucked into a tree stump proved to be a crowd favorite, along with a pergola crowned with a roof of blooming trumpet vine that drew both admiration and inspiration. Another site, managed by the same gardener for over 50 years, held vast expanses of ornamental trees and shrubs that showcased all the texture and color these types of plants can bring to home landscapes.
A vegetable garden with raised beds, drip irrigation, a pole bean arbor, and trellised tomato plants gave inspiration to those interested in vegetable gardening, while the immense cut flower garden, with over 50 varieties of dahlias, was of interest to others.
These comments from visitors summed up the spirit of the day…
“The gardens are each very different. It is amazing how every year the selections are so wonderfully diverse. Some are regimented. Some are whimsical. All are beautiful in their own right. And it certainly gest our creative juices flowing. The Tour is a bargain and wonderful way to show off Wayne County.”
“Loved the grounds and the view.”
“The herb garden at the entrance catches your eye as you leave. It does not have the wild look of so many herb gardens. Still it took looking to find a tiny rosemary with its purple bloom hiding near the middle. I could not resist rubbing my hand gently over it, smelling my hand afterward, and telling the Master Gardeners how nice the rosemary smells.”
The Master Gardeners are part of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Wayne County and organize the tour each year not only to celebrate gardening, but also to educate and inspire both novice and experienced gardeners alike. With each stop, they demonstrate sustainable gardening practices, creative landscape ideas, and the sheer joy that comes from working with the land.
Plans are already in the works for next year’s tour, set to take place in another Wayne County town, continuing a beloved tradition that blends education, beauty, and community spirit. If you know of a possible site in Wayne County, please let us know! Call (315) 331-8415 Ext. 107 or email [email protected]
