Tuesday, March 28, 2000

Public tours of local gardens planned

Paul Iverson/Caller-Times

Betty Noster shows off some of the flowers in her xeriscape garden. She says she especially enjoys the garden at the start of the day, when she reads the paper outside, and at the end of the day as the light fades. She also enjoys reading poetry in the garden.

What started out as a flower and vegetable garden 15 years ago is now a xeriscape paradise in Betty Noster's backyard.
   Xeriscape is a water-conserving method of landscaping that uses plants that don't require much water and can withstand high temperatures.
   Not a blade of grass grows on Noster's property, but it is so lush with bougainvillea, Confederate jasmine, Shirley poppies, larkspur and more that the birds come calling just about every morning.
   "It's especially beautiful early and late in the day, perfect for sitting out there and reading poetry," Noster said.
   "I love to eat breakfast and read the paper every morning in the garden. In the evening, I love to watch the light of day fade. That's when the flowers take on a special glow."
   Public may tour gardens
   Next month, the public gets a chance to peek at Noster's oasis during the Corpus Christi Area Garden Council's Spring 2000 Garden Tour.
   Unlike other local garden tours open only to plant society or association members, this first-ever event makes such green-thumb delights available for public viewing, said Pam Emmons and Virginia Slinkard, Spring 2000 Garden Tour co-chairs.
   The tour, to be held from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. April 30, features six private gardens.
   Noster affectionately calls her creation La Hacienda del Pozo Seco, Spanish for "dry well ranch house."
   Other tour offerings

Paul Iverson/Caller-Times

Pam Emmons (left) and Virginia Slinkard are co-chairs of the Spring 2000 Garden Tour, which will offer the public an opportunity to see several local gardens.