Saturday, June 14
Somethingfor everyone!
KayleighSkinner FRFSecretary Chair of theFondren Bottle Tree&Garden Tour
Four years ago, Don and Becky Potts drove to Memphis for the Cooper Young Garden Walk, and an idea was born Here was a unique, eclectic neighborhood offering people the chance to stroll its streets and meet residents and the plants they nurtured Could we do that in Jackson?
If you?ve been with us since the start, you know the answer. This event marks the fourth year Fondren gardeners have welcomed visitors from across the state into our neighborhood and onto our lawns to visit and talk about what makes this place special. The Fondren Bottle Tree and Garden Tour is an opportunity to showcase our home and connect
We?ve listened to your feedback, and are incorporating a few changes to this year?s tour. Previously it was held in the fall, but we know there?s so much beauty to showcase earlier in the year and moved it to June to accommodate the plants and offerings on display when things are greener. You can peruse wares from local artists on display in Cathy Boone?s driveway and maybe convince a few gardeners to share a clipping or two with you. Instead of a two-day event, this year?s tour will take place on Saturday and many homes on display are located close to each other. Part of what I love about Fondren is its walkability; I hope you?ll enjoy walking down Crane and Woodland Circle, to name just a few!
The homes on this year?s tour offer something for everyone You?ll see a diverse set of plants and landscaping, from natives like zinnias, aster and azaleas to eccentricities including unique bottle trees (of course!), Chinese parasols, and even a miniature horse who keeps watch over the Potts?garden. It?s a chance to talk about what we choose to grow on our properties and why, but also meet Fondrenites gracious enough to share their yards with us.
We?re also proud to announce a new event: All tickets include admission to an evening tour of Morgan Yeates?s home Don? t miss this ? it?s a really unique colonial home Morgan has meticulously decorated with art and collections from his world travels Meander through halls lined with zebra-skin rugs and Roman busts before visiting with your friends and neighbors in the courtyard with a cocktail I?ll see you there!
Thankyou for investingin our neighborhood!
2025 Bot t le Tree and Garden Tour Com m it t ee: Buddy Graham, Thorne Butler, Doug Boone, Morgan Yeates, Sophie McNeil Wolf, Becky Potts, Don Potts and, center, Alison Gilbert.
Event logo created by Guillermo Salinas
Planning Com m it t ee
Kayleigh Skinner, Chair
Nellie Neal
Becky Potts
Don Potts
Alison Gilbert
Buddy Graham
Thorne Butler
Sophie McNeil Wolf
Morgan Yeates
Fondren Renaissance Foundat ion
Execut ive Com m it t ee
Cat hy Boone
President
Dylan Bradshaw
Vice President
Kayleigh Skinner
Secretary
Jam ie Mallinson
Treasurer
Jonat han Lee
Past President
Doug Boone
Executive Director
Board Mem bers
Wade Thompson
Britney Moss
Sandy Carter
Sarah Bentley
Ardarian Pierre
Gabriel Prado
Molly Walker
Leah Smith
Chris Hannibal
Gwen Agho
Shannon McLaughlin
Jennifer Baughn
Timothy Sterling
Board Em erit us
Buddy Graham
Ex Officio
Susan Margaret Barrett, SoFo
Robert Lewis, OFNA
Robert Green, Faith
Community
Kristy Simms, UMMC
Project Manager
Rebecca Garrison
TheseFondrenresidentswelcomeyou...
NancyKay Sullivan Wessman, 3726 Crane Boulevard
Fran Jones, 3707 Crane Boulevard
Laurie Alley, 3717 Crane Boulevard
Helen Boone, 3727 Crane Boulevard
Mary Margaret and Barry White, 3908 Cambridge Stree
Deborah and Walter Newman, 3922 Cambridge Street
Claire and Chris Mokry, 3809 Cambridge Street
Ann and Sandy Carter, 11 East Hill Drive
Mary Alice and Donny White, 211 Ridge Drive
Ann and Jimmy Young, 148 Woodland Circle
Jonathan and Davetta Lee, 130 Woodland Circle
Bizzy and Dana Martin, 114 Woodland Circle
Danelle and Kendall Garraway, 343 Glenway Drive
Andrew Cary Young, 3412 Gallaway Avenue
Maureen Donnelly and Dan Piersol, 632 Seneca Avenue
Andrew and Michelle Hitchcock, 646 Seneca Avenue
Kim and John Sewell, 3825 Hawthorn Drive
Suzie Cranston, 1016 Avondale Street
Randy Smith and Bonnie Sparks, 4114 Oakridge Drive
Thorne and Kelly Butler, 3942 Oakridge Drive
Leah and Solon Smith, 3805 Tyrone Drive
Sophie and Paul Wolf, 4145 Hawthorne Drive
Becky and Don Potts, 4083 Robin Drive
Loy Moncrief, 4578 Kings Highway
NancyKay Sullivan Wessm an
3726 Crane Boulevard
- Entire property
- Easily accessible from street
- First time on the tour
Threemajesticoaktrees? each claimingat least eightyyearsof growth and good health? welcomeyou to myeclecticyard and garden.
Gratitudeto mylatemother, Etha McAlpin Sullivan, and Swedish-American husband Dick Wessman aswell asthegardenersand plant sellershereand in several other statesfor helpingfurnish!
Visit on theparkingpad with Jonni Webb of JRWebb Potterywho will offer for saleher handmadeart to hold your flowers!
Approach theJapanesemaple shadingHostas and a Fatsia;walktoward theentrance, between GreyOwl Junipersand Carexgrasses toward theYew, and turn past the Lorapetalum and Crocosmia toward my sanctuaryNewOrleans-inspired courtyard.
Seethebottletrees:onemadein Sunflower, Mississippi, and theother from Nogales, Mexico, centered bya matureLadyBanks Rose.
Enjoyhydrangeas, camellias, irises, a Sweet Olivetree, and assorted tropicals:hibiscus, ferns, cannas, Clivias, bananas, sago palm, Confederatejasmine, dragon wingbegonias, geraniums. . . thisiswhere Greyand Stray-cat roam and birdsbatheand feed.
Beyond, in thebackbackyard, appreciatemy grandmother Sullivan?sblackwashpot and the fisher boyI brought homefrom Nova Scotia decadesago;notethree moreSweet Olive treesand a jungleof greenery, includingthe magnolia-shaded altheas, nandinas, a big
blueberrybush and spirea. Round theback corner to seemypottingplaceand thenew dryriver rockscreekbed to drain excessrain toward thestreet.
Careful if you aim to exit that gate!
#3
Fran Jones
3707
Crane Boulevard
- Front yard only
- Easily accessible from street
- First time on the tour
I loveflowers... I loveplants, especiallythe longrowof red knockout rosesthat my beloved husband JohnnyJonesplanted twenty-plusyearsago alongthedriveway and north side of myproperty.
Johnnyalso designed thelayout to feature bigblueplantersof colorful, seasonal flowers near thefront door and all thebedding plants. theferns, sago palms, huge-leafed Alocasia, with Lilyof theNile, heather, and pinksasanqua camelliasalongthefront of myeast-facinghome. Around thelamp post at thestreet over time wehaveadded drift and knockout roses, guara, hydrangeas, and azaleasplusa newred mapletree.
Large, maturecrepemyrtlesborder the parkingpad. I am still distressed that the hundred-year-old oaktreeon thesoutheast side had to beremoved several monthsago and will struggleto reinvent that area. Because of theremoval, I lost all mybedding plants:hostas, hugematureazaleas, hydrangeas, and Easter and other lilies. Over time, I can rebuild that. . .
#4
Laurie Alley
3717 Crane Boulevard
- Front yard only
- Easily accessible from street
- First time on the tour
Newbieon thetour, but loveplantsof all kinds. I'm luckyto haveexcellent neighbors who sharewisdom and plants. I'm working on replantingand expandingmyfront yard beds. Also, comingsoon - 2 raised garden bedswith trellis' for a backyard mini garden for vegetables, herbsand flowers.
#5
Helen Boone
3727 Crane Boulevard
- Entire property
- Giveaways
- Easily accessible from street
- First time on the tour
Webought thishouse in 1975 and the plantingsarestill evolving. Mygoal in the front yard island isto have something bloomingall through theyear becauseit?s visiblefrom thestreet and thehouse. Except for Januarythat hasworked, thanksto reliableperennialsand pass-alongplants from friends. Anybodycan do thisbecause it?sa manageablesize.
Thebackyard isentirelydifferent, a cool oasisaround thepool with hydrangeasand crepemyrtlesplusonesunnyspot for roses. Visitorsarewelcometo comethrough the sidegate.
#6
Mary Margaret & Barry Whit e 3908 Cambridge Street
- Entire property
- Easily accessible from street
- First time on the tour
Wewelcomeyou to wander through our front and backyards. Sincepurchasingour homein 2019, wehavebeen enhancingtheexisting landscapebyaddingnew flower beds, pathways, and spacesdesigned for socializing and relaxation. Our additionsinclude an extended flower bed acrossthefront lawn, which isfilled with shade-lovingshrubs, hostas, and variousflowers. Alongtheback fence, you'll find our "Covid vegetablegarden" that hassincebeen transformed to a perennial bed. Our children lovethiscorner lot for Sundaylemonadestands, and welove thescreened in backporch and deckfor hostingfriendsand family. Thetwo large magnolia treesin our backyard aretruly magnificent, offeringampleprivacyand a wonderful area for kidsto climb and play.
Photo above: 3908 Cambridge St., home of Mary Margaret and Barry White.
Deborah and Walt er New m an
3922 Cambridge Street
- Front yard only
- First time on the tour
Our yard wasoncea showplacefor the familythat originallyowned Green Brook Florist. In thealmost 40 yearsthat we have lived here, wehavemanaged not to kill some of thebeautiful variegated and grafted camellias, magnoliasand original Prideof Mobileazaleas. Unfortunately, theywont be in bloom duringthistour but pleasecomeby in earlyspringand checkthem out before the local pestsand latefrostsget them. For the last 40 years, plantsand flowershavemoved backand forth between 3922 and 3908 CambridgeSt. Our yard isstill a workin process. Hopeyou enjoytheflowersand bottletreewhich isa tributeto good tequila and bourbon.
#8
Claire and Chris Mokry 3909 Cambridge Street
- Entire property
- First time on the tour
Wepurchased our "dream home"two years ago and havebeen steadilyworkingin the yard ever since! Therewasalreadybeautiful, established landscapingwhen wemoved it, but it just needed a little TLC. Sincethen we have brought theold yard backto life, and added a number of hydrangeas, camellias and jasmine, aswell. Our homeand garden isa traditional Southern style, and the backyard pool area isour littleretreat where welove to entertain and watch our children play. I'm sure you'veseen and heard someof our gatheringsover thepast couple of years! Welove meetingnew neighbors, so please comein, walkaround and enjoy!
#9
Ann and Sandy Cart er 11 East Hill Drive
- Gate will open upon approach
- Entire property
- Requires climbing steps or inclines
- First time on the Tour
Louisiana cottage designed byA. HaysTown with a focuson shaded courtyards.
Photo left: 11 East Hill Drive, home of Ann and Sandy Carter.
#10
Mary Alice and Donny Whit e
211 Ridge Drive
- Entire property
- Requires climbing steps or inclines
- First time on the tour
Thismid-centurymodern homewasbuilt in 1959. Thehouseisreminiscent of a Frank Lloyd Wright home whom thearchitect Nick Davisadmired. To manylocalsthehouse is known asthehomewith fivetreescoming out of theroofline. When wepurchased the homein 2009 theyard wasestablished, and wehavemademinor modificationsover the years. Thebrickwork, pond, and lava rocks areoriginal to thehouse.Wehave always been fansof bottletreesand havetwo in our backyard. Someof thebottleshave special memoriessuch asa wine bottlefrom our honeymoon in Mexico in 1971.
#11
Ann and Jim m y Young
148 Woodland Circle
- Entire property
- Requires climbing steps or inclines
- First time on the tour
English cottagegarden in backwith fountains, windingpathsand lotsof garden roomsand patio pots.
#12
Jonat han and Davet t a Lee
130 Woodland Circle
- Entire property
- Requires climbing steps or inclines
- Special setting for photos Gorgeoushistoricproperty.
130 Woodland Circle isan estate sized lot with oneof theoldest homesin Fondren nestled in themiddleof a beautiful canopyof maturetrees.
Thegardensfeatureelaboratepots overflowingwith a varietyof flowers, a wonderful fountain, a swimmingpool and a pergola covered in wisteria.
Photo right: 130 Woodland Circle, home of Jonathan and Davetta Lee
Elizabet h & Dana Mart in
114 Woodland Circle
- Entire property
- Special setting for photos
- Music
- Easily accessible from the street
- Requires climbing steps or inclines
- First time on the tour
In early2024 wewereluckyto take ownership of CastleCrest, an iconicJackson homethat brokeground in 1927.
To talkyard, wemust first talkhouse. From thefront you?ll seeclassicTudor Revival architecturemarked bya steeplypitched roof, hexagonal front projection resemblinga castleturret, hundredsof leaded light windowpanesin original steel casement, an eclecticfacadewith decorativebrickand stoneworkaswell ascopper gutterswith subtlemedieval motifs(interior ironworkis lesssubtlein itsmedieval flair!) TheCastleis both toweringand highlydecorative, so we felt that simple, classicand sustainable landscapingwastheright approach out front.
Thelandscapingshowisrun byRon Carroll, who had previouslyexecuted major changes herein theearly00sfor theTardyfamily. Ron greeted thehouselikean old friend and at theoutset explained that manyof theplants and treesput in at theCastleeven just 20 yearsago areno longer reliable, let alone ideal, given theescalated and erraticcyclesof freeze, drought and high temperatures. His revised playbookaccountsfor theevolving climate, what islikeliest to thrivetodayand what could bemaintained in linewith our
sustainabilitypreferences.
Two setsof threeginkgoscover thecentral front yard and a beautiful, bigold oaksitson theupper slope. On theother end, two Japanesemagnolia recovered from scale thanksto Weed Warriors(who also revived thelawns). Alongsidethe front of thehouse, Ron?steam shored up existingboxwood, holly, and a lineof CrepeMyrtles. Accounting for a newFrench drain and overhauled irrigation, theybrought in dwarf limelight hydrangea, Japaneseyewshrubs, Taylor juniper and several varietiesof Jennifer.
Thebackyard viewsof thehouse areour favorites, and we?restill discoveringsmall, special detailsall the time. Theback showcasesan octagonal doublechimney, a hexagonal librarywith largecasement windowsand an arched colonnadethat runs externallyalongsidetheformal livingroom on thewayout to the pool area. Among Bizzy?s(Elizabeth) favorite details- lookup for deco vibesin thestucco sidingof a sunroom/ breakfast room that theHolman family added in 1977.
Ron went for varietyand fun in theback yard. In thelargelion containersbythe colonnadeare sculpted blueprint junipers potted with rosemary. Alongthebrickhalf wall closeto thefront gate arehostas, a needlepalm evergreen and the leafy, purple perennials(in the urnsand pots) are heuchara.
Asa Vermont nativeand NYCtransplant, Dana didn? t growup around palmsand loved Ron?srecommendation to plant several large onesin thebed off thesteps. Stageright of thepalmsareboxwood alongwith smaller shrubsincludingdwarf jade and Japanese
Elizabet h and Dana Mart in
Continued from previous page
A pair of tall holly, drift rosebushesand vinca wereplanted alongsidethelong rectangular, saltwater pool (which isoriginal and wasrecentlytotallyrestored). Astone and brickgazebo overlooksboth thepool and thetenniscourt, which wastransitioned from grassin the 70sand hostsfrequent battlesbetween Dana and Bizzy. Newlyplanted on either side of thegazebo areJapanesemaplesand moredrift rose. Headingup alongthegravel path you?ll pass on your right a bunch of ?tractor seat?plants, which will haveyellow bloomsin winter. The two largelion planterscontain a pineapple-lookingsago palms, and behind them Ron?steam added a mixof encore azaleas(a hybrid that bloomsin both spring and fall), hydrangeas, burgundylaurel, colorful impatiensand low-keyshrubsand monkeygrasses(includingthebright peedee ingot). Asweetbaymagnolia brushesover the carport.
Step off thepath and through a covered brick walkwaywith Muscadine-vined wood columns. Thereyou?ll find a cuttinggarden Dana repurposed for herbsand vegetables, which arecontained in stoneand wood beds put in bytheTardyfamily.
With or despitethehigh-energyhelp of our 2-year old son, Dana recentlyrefreshed last year?sherb boxesand planted tomato, jalapeño, other peppers, lettucesand watermelon.
Bizzycontributesto thegarden bywayof two potted limetrees(giftsfrom her in-lawsin odeto her loveof margaritas).
Thegarden allowsa good viewof the automobilebreezeway, which theHolmans enclosed in 1977 and which now connectsthe main house to theoriginal garage(now a familyroom).
Afront-facing, columned pedestrian breezewaywasalso enclosed in ?77, and both arewalled with glassto preservethefeeling of exterior space.
Both breezewaysare happyhomesto some of our zillion houseplants
NOTES: 20 yearsafter major preservation workbytheTardyfamily, theCastlewas readyfor another round of restoration and wethankour neighborsfor puttingup with monthsof commotion, noise, scaffolding, etc. WethankBizzy?sparents(Reneeand Jimmy Jones) for lettingussquat at their house for monthswhen theworkwasat itspeak.
Local architect John Weaver had overseen the Tardy?sprojectsin theearly00sand worked with usto map out the year-longproject. John wasinstrumental in helpingus understand and appreciatethehistoryand needsof thisspecial houseand grounds.
Will Sneed servesasour general contractor and over thelast year, histeam put countless hoursinto repairing, fixingand enhancing thefunction of thehouse whiletaking incrediblecareof it and coordinatingclosely with Ron whereneeded.
TyeMenist?steam at Magnolia Horticulture provideweeklylawn care.
It isan honor to call theCastle homeand we thankRon, John, Will, Tye, Ann Carter and team, and realtor/ Castlecaretaker Melissa Hutchinson for thetirelesshelp.
#14
Danelle and Kendall Garraw ay
343 Glenway Drive
- Entire property
- Easily accessible from the street
- Requires climbing steps or inclines
- Chickens, horses, etc to view
Backyard and patio with welcomingscreen porch and firepit. Therearemultiple raised bed that areplanted in seasonal cropsfor homeuseand sharingwith neighbors. In ground bedswith multiple varietiesof roses, peoniesand other floweringperennials. A varietyof fruit treesin yard aswell ascitrus treesgrowingin potsand other potted seasonal plantsand herbs. Weenjoy spendingtimewith neighborsand friendsas well asthechickensand beesthat livehere too. Lookforward to your visit.
#15
Andrew Cary Young
3412 Gallaway Avenue
- Easily accessible from the street
- Giveaways
Humongouselephant earsand cannasin pots, wattlefrom saplings, peach tree espalier, and hedgerowpainted with a varietyof shrub colors! AndrewCaryYoung will havehis"Inked Watercolor Series" paintingsfor sale. All salesbenefit Pearl River GlassConservatory. Parasol treesfor sale, too. All visitorsget a free "Random Acts of Creativity"sticker, art workbyAndrew
#16
Maureen Donnelly and Dan Piersol
632 Seneca Avenue
- Front yard only
- Easily accessible from street
Wewerefortunateto find a homein Fondren followingour movefrom thedevastation of Katrina to our New Orleans. Accustomed to therich soil of myBywater garden there, I wasill-prepared for thehard clay"soil"that greeted ushere. Our newfront yard was totallybarren!I set about digging, digging, digging. Now, after nearly20 years, our "Duckweed Garden"iscomprised of winding bedswith twentyvarietiesof daylilies, plus gingers, hostas, and herbs. Our garden teems with life, and isour sanctuary.
Photo right: 343 Glenweay, home of Danelle and Kendall Garaway
#17
Andrew and Michelle Hit chcock
646 Seneca Avenue
- Secret Garden
- Requires climbing steps or inclines
Comeseea well-stocked kitchen/vegetable garden in theheart of Fondren. With simply constructed raised beds, utilizinga high number of plantsper squarefoot, you can seewhat?spossiblein a relativelysmall growingspace. Asyou wander through toweringtomato trellises, huge, leafygreens, denseforestsof strawberriesand onions, alongwith massivesummer squash plants, you can forget that you are within theurban citylimits. Feel free to askasmanyquestions asyou would like;I loveto talkabout my garden, and sharetheknowledgethat I have accrued over theyears, whether it?sbed construction, soil composition, seed starting tips, plant maintenance, or pest control? I?ve learned it all.
#18
John and Kim Sew ell 3825 Hawthorn Drive
- Front yard only - Music - Giveaways
On thisfront yard garden tour you won? t see anyheirloom plantsor exoticflowers. Everythinghereisprettycommon. What you will seeisa start from scratch do-it-yourself frontyard landscape.
Weput in a circular drivethat our family designed, dugout and spread 8 dump trucks worth of asphalt rock. Welined thenorth side garden and sittingarea and thesidewalkwith brickswedugup from our yard. Webuilt a front porch to beableto sit and visit with the wonderful peopleof Fondren. Weplanted (replanted & transplanted) everyplant flower.
Weadded a butterflygarden to theright side of thestairsgoingto thefront door. We extended thegarden bed on theright sideof thehouse, added plantsunder thecherrytree, added a small walkwayand lined all the garden bedsbythe housewith brick.
Wealso madethefurnitureon theporch. We painted and glued cinderblockand put 4 x4?s through theopenings. Wecut plywood to fit and upholstered it with outdoor fabric. We took3 metal chairsand wrapped them in paracord. Wealso found 2 old tires, painted them yellowand put a pieceof glasswehad on top to makea table.
Wehopeyou leaveour yard knowingthat it?s never too lateto do somethingyou reallywant to do (even if it takes11 years), and you really can do thingsyourself!
Photo above: 646 Seneca Ave., home of Andrew and Michelle Hitchcock.
#19
Suzie Cranst on
1016 Avondale Street
- Front yard only
- Special setting for photos
- Easily accessible from the street
Theextensivecollection of birdhouseswill command your first impression but any garden-lover will bedrawn in bythecottage garden-styleplaningon either side of the picket fence. Roses, daylilies, enchinaceas, gaura, camellias, dahlias, cannas, tradescantia and fernstumble together in a riot of color. Thegarden wasinspired bythe death of uSzie'sson, Peck, and servesasa celebration on hislife. "Myyard makesme happyand peoplestoppingbyto visit it makesmeeven happier!"
#20
Leah and Solon Sm it h
3805
Tyrone Drive
- Entire property
- Secret Garden
- Special setting for photos
- Easily accessible from street
Acolorful and whimsical New Orleans inspired secret garden, completewith a fountain, threebottletrees, and various other yard art. Plantsand flowersinclude hydrangeas, canna lilies, lantana, Mexican petunias, azaleas, camellias, and sedum, includingvarietiespropagated from the gardensof friendsand family--and the garden of Mississippi author Eudora Welty.
#21
Thorne and Kelly But ler
3942 Oakridge Drive
- Entire property
- Easily accessible from street
- Requires climbing steps or inclines
- First time on the tour
Thepreviousownersof 3942 Oakridge, Jonathan and Gillian Viola, applied their skills aslandscapearchitectsto thefront and back yards, and in theten yearssincethen we have tried to build on their designswith raised flower bedsof sasanqua and dwarf morningglories, bedsof hosta, gardenia, boxwood, pittosporum, ligustrum, asiatic& confederatejasmine, and prettygood luck with our Yankeevegetablegarden of hybrid cherrytomatoes, arugula and herbs. We?ve planted sixmagnolia trees. Our favorite time of year isearlyspringwhen our entireback yard isa meadowblanketed with white wildflowers.
Photo above: 3805 Tyrone Dr., home of Leah and Solon Smith.
Randy Sm it h and Bonnie Sparks
4114 Oakridge Drive
- Entire property
- Easily accessible from street
Over thepast year and a half, weset about turningan emptybackyard into a fertile spacefor wildlife, flowers, vegetables, and, most importantly, thejoyof gardeningand spendingtimetogether. Wewould love to welcomeyou into our happyplace!Weare amateur gardenerswho arelearningmuch from our successesand mistakes. Comesee our banana treeproducingfruit, thenew wildlifepond, hugelkultur beds, trellised vegetables, wildflowersin bloom, and maybe oneof thethreeEastern BoxTurtlesthat call our garden home.
#23
Sophie and Paul Wolf
4145 Hawthorne Drive
- Entire property
- Giveaways
- Master Gardener
Step into a garden that?sbeen growingand evolvingwith loveover theyears? trulya ?lifetimeof projects?in bloom.
Thebackyard hasundergonea complete transformation over thelast five years, with a re-imagined layout that includesnewpatio beds, a pergola, a raised vegetablegarden with drip irrigation, and thoughtful landscapingthat bringsbeautyand functionalitytogether.
Thisyear, besureto checkout thenewest additions:a perennial bed featuringcrape myrtles, gaura (beeblossom), irises, spider wort, and more? plusa cozynew hammock loungetucked amongthe pittosporums, perfect for an afternoon nap or garden daydreaming.
Thevegetablegarden isburstingwith summer favoritesliketomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, lemon squash, green beans, and sunflowers, with zinniasand gomphrena addingvibrant popsof color.
Asa certified Master Gardener through the Mississippi StateUniversityExtension Service, Sophie will have freegarden and landscapingpublicationsavailable, and other Master Gardenersmaybeon hand to answer questions, swap stories, or sharetips.
Don? t forget to explore thefront and side yardstoo ? there'ssomethingbloomingin everycorner.
Photo above: 4145 Hawthorne Drive, home of Sophie (in photo) and Paul Wolf.
#24
Becky and Don Pot t s
4083 Robin Drive
- Entire property
- Special setting for photos
- Plants for sale
- Easily accessible from streets
- Chickens horses, etc to view Buttercup isour minaturehorse. Shewill be in thefront yard or barn. Wehavetwo greenhouses, raised beds, and plantings scattered all around. Someorder to our yard to prevent Buttercup from eatingit, but lots of "no order."Combination of shadeand sun. Mostlyflowerswith somevegetable
#25
Loy Moncrief
4578 Kings Highway
- Entire property
- Easily accessible from street
Thisisa homemadegarden, front and back. Featuresmostlyperennial flowersand plentyof nativeplantsand invasive groundcovers. Enjoy thefront but walkdown thedriveto themore elaboratebackyard with a screen room deckand sanctuary.
Fondren Presbyt erian Church
3220 Old Canton Road
All visitors to the Bottle Tree and Garden Tour are invited to stroll through the Fondren Presbyterian Church Garden and Columbarium area with a walkway connecting the Columbarium and the beautiful fountain area with copper sculptures.
Photo above: 4578 Kings Highway, home of Loy Moncrief.
803 Meadow brook Road
Enter through the Oakridge gate; check in with your badge at the front steps (Park along Oakridge and at St James Episcopal Church - shuttle provided)
Evening Home tour - adults, 18 and older please
WEST END
Sitting Room
Art History and Piano Room
Stairs up to the Asia Room
Asia Room
HOUSE CENTER
Grand Hall
Dining Room
Breakfast Room Kitchen
EAST END
Russia Room
France & Venice Study
Daughter's Bedroom
Europe Hall
Primary Bedroom
The House on the Bottle Tree & Garden Tour
Welcome to Morgan Yeates's home and his curated collection of treasures from a life of travel!
The front door of this Fondren house offers a clue as to what's inside. The bright red door was fabricated for Yeates using vintage cabinet hardware as decoration. Guarding the front door are two solid stone camels, imported from China.
The original central structure of this home was built in 1937 by Almyra and John King. In 1976, it was tripled in size by Averyell and William Kessler, owners of A. Kessler Productions and used for innumerable events associated with the Broadway Productions AKPbrought to Jackson.
In 2024 the house was completely remodeled by Daniel Prado, bringing consistency to the disparate surfaces and hardware - and making 803 Meadowbrook the perfect address for Morgan Yeates and his treasures.
The Grand Hall of Morgan Yeates's Home on Meadowbrook
The West End
Sit t ing Room
- The gold cherubim over the mantel, from upstate New York, are believed to have come from the exterior of a Masonic Lodge. The polar bear statue, hand-applied with travertine, is a half-size replica of the marble original (1922) by Francois Pompon, located in the Musee d?Orsay, Paris
The two gouache paintings are by Homer Duke, Nashville The set of Chinese screen panels is contemporary, hand painted by an Atlanta artist.
- The lamps are made from alabaster fragments of a dismantled altar from a Catholic church. The late-1900s, large metal planter held baptism water in a church. The 1980s green silk armchairs came from Gianni Versaci?s Miami atelier after his murder
Art Hist ory & Piano Room
- The red iron, brass, and marble sculptures were purchased in Venice. The bookshelves hold the owner?s collections on art, antiques, architecture, and travel The metal garden bench is mid-century Italian The colored side tables are acrylic. The collection of acrylic sculptures is by Jonathan Adler.
- The mermaid menorahs werepart of a set that originally lined the corridors of the Delano Hotel in Miami; discarded during a mid-century remodel, this pair was rescued by a Palm Springs antiques dealer The piano displays programs from the
owner?s three piano recitals given in requirement for his classical piano degree at Millsaps College The sofa pillows are from Gianni Versace.
- The gouache on the north wall is by Modigliani. An original poster for the 1957 Vallauris, France, art festival hangs over the mantel; it was designed by Picasso, and this one was hand-signed by him (lower right)
St airs Up t o Asia Room
- The Greek-themed mirror is contemporary, by Steven Shell. The antique terracotta garden basket with pedestal is Italian. The set of 12 prints is contemporary, from Oka, London
- In the powder room below the stairs, the owners?collection of aquatic plants ? both real and artificial ? collected on his travels.
Asia Room
- The antique wooden busts are of Hindu temple guards, from India The Burmese offering containers were purchased in Singapore and Hong Kong. The large vintage wall vases are from Japan All bronze table statues are by Maitland Smith.The wicker foo dogs are contemporary, by Jonathan Adler
- The pine chests are English, and the nickel-and-brass coffee table is from Palm Beach. The framed space tapestry is American, but the artist is unknown. The vintage Egyptian columns, from a Palm Springs antiques dealer, are thought to have been created for a department store display or a theatrical production
The East End
Russia Room
- The 1950s large-scale landscape painting, imported from Ukraine, depicts Russian peasants approaching a village during the 1917 revolution The large portrait, also from Ukraine, is of Friedrich Engels, author ofTheCommunist Manifesto; it hung in a Russian administrative building The vintage bust is of Alexander Pushkin, Russian author
- The vases are contemporary, created by Jean Boggio, a Parisian jeweler known also for his jewelry incorporating ceramic material. The large metal industrial vat is simply a curiosity piece.
- The vintage table bases are concrete and are believed to be American. The hand carved mirror, purchased in London, was created in the Vienna Workshop in the early 1900s
France & Venice St udy
- The set of 25 frames holds a reproduction of Turgot?s 1739 map of Paris. The smaller frames hold various maps and perspectives of Venice (with a Rio de Janeiro map thrown in) The framed pagoda is an antique wallpaper fragment. Bookshelves hold the owner?s collection of fiction. One of the framed photograph pairs shows the owner?s two great aunts in front of Versailles in 1955.
- The contemporary stone-and-nickel statue of the Virgin Mary is by Jan Barboglio, a Mexican artist and fashion designer. The owner collected the aquatic-themed needlework in the powder over time.
The pagodas are contemporary, by Maitland Smith
Daught er 's Bedroom
- The contemporary wicker-and-rattan bench is from Anthropologie. The lamps were fabricated from vintage French Le Soleil Malines storage bottles. The throw blanket is made of Argentine alpaca
- The framed advertisements came from a 1950s Playbill brochure the owner?s great aunt received at a Paris theatre The set of four antique prints is a French depiction of the 1813 Battle of Leipzig Bookshelves hold the owner?s collection of nonfiction.
Europe Hall
- This collection of prints from the owner?s travels reflects his love of architecture and historic buildings. The large screen depicting a hillside villa is contemporary, from Wisteria.
Prim ary Bedroom
- The pair of etchings (left side of fireplace) are from England; the pair of snake prints (right side) were purchased in Paris The painting over the fireplace is an example of verre églomise, or reverse-glass painting, by an Italian artist in Dallas
- The hexagonal framed items are gold-leafed wallpaper fragments from France. The wall brackets underneath them are antique shelves designed to for display statues of saints in a Catholic church The fragment over the bed is from a dismantled church altar
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- The wooden shell chairs are midcentury Italian. The 1980s arched console is covered in travertine and is by Maitland Smith The lamps were fabricated from antique Hindu temple cleansing bowls The side tables are antique Italian. The Chinese low table is c.1880.
Grand Hall
- All bronze table statues are by Maitland Smith. The larger colorful boxes, from Dubai, held chocolates The ?mountains?in the fireplace were created for a retail window display. The ?Lighted Amoeba?is from a sculptor in Los Angeles.
The House Center
- The large, gold medallion of Hindu god Shiva (male form) was originally one of a pair (the other was the female) suspended from the lobby ceiling of a hotel in the South of France. The large Indian elephant print is a reproduction from a French wallpaper The reproductions of antique maps are of locations the owner has visited
- The antique blackamoor floor lamps are Italian The tall male statue is a model of an architectural column used in ancient Greece, this one created for a Hollywood film.
- The huge bust of Venus de Milo is contemporary, imported from Australia The bust of ?Julius Caesar?is actually a reproduction of a bust of Napolean dressed as Caesar. The white glazed bust is of Mark Antony
- The Styrofoam gondola was created in the studio of famed interior designer Tony Duquette in Los Angeles, for a 1955 fundraiser benefiting Venice; numerous versions floated in the pool and held beverages The oversized turquoise finials were imported from Venice
Dining Room
- The plaster pendant was handmade for the owner in England The large Chinoiserie mirror is English and may have originally been a bed?s headboard
- The statues of shells on columns were designed by a Beverly Hills artisan The iron dragon candleholders are thought to be American The Maitland Smith sphynxes are 1980s vintage, made in Vietnam.
Breakfast Room
- An original 1920s poster by French graphic artist J Gabriel depicts the Cernay Cottage Hotel in France (and still in operation ) The oversized carved clam shell is midcentury Italian; it holds shells of various materials.
- All needlework (framed or made into pillows) throughout the house was created by the owner?s mother (except for items in the study powder room).
Kit chen
- Four sets of historical items are displayed along the ceiling line: Chinese junks (boats); pagoda designs, purchased at Paris?s Tuileries Garden; hand painted pagoda plates, by Pierre Frey Home; and beaded coasters depicting world monuments The framed marble dove is a replica of that placed over the Chair of St Peter at the Vatican; it was purchased at the Vatican
- The kitchen, breakfast room, dining room, and connecting hall display original art, prints, and etchings the owner has collected on his travels.
art (plant st akes) by
Fondren Grow n Bot t le Trees
Draw ings by Guillerm o Salinas
Glass
Pearl River Glass St udio art ist s
Paint ings by St eve Cook
Fondren Bot t l e Trees
grown just for the 2025 Tour
Their thumbs aren't green but Robert Lewis and Sam Butz play a major role in Fondren's Bottle Tree and Garden Tour. In a studio in the Fondren Warehouse District, these two Fondren residents grow Fondren Bottle Trees with welding machines and grinders. Sparks fly and the magic happens - every year adding to Fondren's Bottle Tree forest with their signature trees
Fondren Bottle Trees for sale on June 14 at 3710 Crane, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
From left: Robert Lewis and Sam Butz
