Stillwater Blossoms with Garden Tours and Festivals


Story by Ammie Bryant

April and May showers have given way to blooming gardens during the month of June. Stillwater once again blossoms with opportunities to enjoy the beautiful spaces cultivated by Payne County Master Gardeners and the expert staff and volunteers at the Botanic Garden at OSU.  Don’t miss your chance to explore some of our community’s most beautiful public and private gardens this season.

Herb and Succulent Festival

Visit the Botanic Garden at OSU during the annual Herb and Succulent Festival on June 8, from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.  There will be plants for sale including usual and unusual herbs, a wide variety of succulents and a small selection of trees that are perfect for small landscapes.  There will be arts and craft vendors, and local food from Good Little Eater. At scheduled times throughout the morning (while supplies last) there will be a wine bottle succulent garden demonstration.  This “hands-on” activity will allow participants to make their own wine bottle garden during the demonstration or if you prefer, the materials will be available for sale so you can take it home and make it on your own.  

Pony Tails will be at the festival with free pony rides for the kids from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.   And the Ambassadors will have some hands-on activities for the kids and family as well.

The gardens are looking great so don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to bring the family and friends out to this fun event.

Rain date is scheduled for June 15 from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Please check the Botanic Garden at OSU’s facebook page for event updates. Visit BotanicGarden.okstate.edu to learn more about visiting the garden, volunteering, and other events.

Payne County Garden Tour

Attend the fourth annual Spring Garden Tour on Sunday, June 9, from 12:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.  Tickets are available at the Payne County Extension Office for $5.00 each. They will also be available at all of the stops on the tour the day of the event for $7.00 each.  Children ages 12 and under are free to attend. No pets, please. For more information email [email protected] or call the Payne County Extension office at 405.747.8320. All profits benefit the Botanic Garden at OSU.

The four stops on the tour include a commercial flower farm, a neighborhood garden with a fish pond, shade gardens and specimen plantings, an established garden beside the water with abundant bird life; and an orchid conservatory with over 300 orchids and native prairie. Each of these stops on the tour is special and unique with many ideas to inspire fellow gardeners.

Tour addresses include 2615 E. McElory Rd., 2719 Mar Vista St., *3011 W. 56th, and 702 E. 32nd.

Visit PayneCountyMasterGardeners.org to learn more about the Payne County Master Gardeners.

Editor’s Note: In the original publicized information available from the organization the 56th street address was listed as EAST 56th Street instead of West. The error was not discovered and corrected until after the June issue went to print.