LYNNE ANDERSON GARDEN (Check-In)
1784 E Jolley Acres Circle, Sandy, UT

Discover the best-kept secret in town, nestled on seven lush, enchanting acres in Sandy! Once the magical Castle Ridge Gardens reception center, our property hosted over forty weddings in one unforgettable summer, delighting 25,000 guests with its ponds, bridges, tennis court, swimming pool, sand volleyball court, nature trail, vegetable garden, hay barn, and forest-like landscape. Beyond weddings, our yard has been the backdrop for graduation and engagement photos, family reunions, class reunions, business retreats, and church youth pool parties!

Wander along our nature trail, circling the property where ducks and hundreds of koi enjoy the cool pond waters. A charming manmade stream begins at our house, meandering down to the pond along the pool deck, circulating serenely. Every rock, tree, and bush was lovingly placed, creating a landscape that feels like a natural mountain paradise.

Guests who visit for our various events are captivated by the tranquil peace and natural beauty, never wanting to leave. They leave with cherished memories and a sense of wonder that such a place exists in a residential neighborhood on the edge of Sandy. We hope you enjoy your visit and find your own slice of paradise here!

Sommer Jackson Garden

Thirteen years ago, our family fell in love with a charming old farmhouse on just over an acre in East Draper. Once a bustling chicken farm, the land needed a lot of love, making it the perfect family project. Together, we cleared the ground, restored the farmhouse, installed beautiful metal and stone garden boxes, and planted an orchard with nearly 50 fruit trees.

Our property now boasts a delightful mix of English gardens, with pathways meandering through a colorful array of flowers, trees, and bushes. The vegetable garden is a feast for the senses, featuring salsa boxes, corn, potatoes, and more. Come fall, we harvest around 400 pumpkins, transforming the garden into an autumn wonderland.

To honor its Draper roots, we built a charming chicken coop for 20 happy chickens, adorned with local historical quarry rockwork. This sacred spot embodies our family’s dedication and joy, a slice of paradise we’re eager to share.

KRISTY SIMMONS GARDEN

In 2020, we embarked on a mission to transform an unsightly hillside in our backyard into a space of beauty and enjoyment. My husband and I dreamed of incorporating fun turf areas, including a  putting green and a treehouse for our grandkids, as well as a greenhouse for myself. We decided to terrace the hill and plant a variety of stunning plants and trees. With the help of experts in golf greens, custom treehouses, and greenhouses, our vision came to life.

What was once a hillside covered in dead trees and weeds is now adorned with terraced flower beds and a playground at the bottom. One of my favorite features of our yard is the breathtaking views from every angle. Removing a massive cottonwood tree that blocked our view revealed stunning vistas, and in spring, the vibrant cascade of ice plants over the rocks stops passersby in their tracks.

Tragically, on June 9, 2023, a house fire devastated our home, showering our newly planted garden with ash and embers. The rebuilding process further trampled our yard, but we persevered. This past year has been one of cleanup and restoration, and although we still have a ways to go, the transformation has been rewarding. Our ever-growing and evolving yard now brings us immense joy and pride. ❤️

VICKI SCARBOROUGH GARDEN

When we built our home 30 years ago, we started with a blank slate for our landscape. Since then, Vicki has lovingly tended to the garden herself, delighting in the ever-changing tapestry of perennials and annuals. The joy of gardening lies in its constant evolution, and our garden has beautifully transformed over the years.

Featured on the Hidden Garden tour in 2013, our garden continues to grow and flourish. With a stunning array of annuals, perennials, shrubs, and various crabapple trees, it offers a feast for the senses. As you wander through, the gentle sounds of fountains provide a soothing soundtrack, enhancing the breathtaking views of the valley and the mountains.

One of Vicki’s favorite additions is her elegant Nike statue, a symbol of victory and grace. The garden is filled with personality, thanks to the many adorable fountains, figurines, bird baths, and other delightful surprises tucked among the greenery.

Our garden is a testament to Vicki’s passion and dedication, a living canvas of nature’s beauty and the endless possibilities of change. We hope you find as much joy in exploring it as we do in nurturing it.

APRIL RAYMOND GARDEN

Welcome to our garden, a place where dreams dance and memories bloom. When designing our home, I envisioned the outside as an extension of our interior, blending elegance and charm. My heart belongs to Paris, where I fell in love with the simplicity and symmetry of boxwood hedges, hydrangeas, and roses leading to a tranquil fountain. The gentle murmur of running water infuses the garden with serenity, a lullaby for the soul.

As you meander around the corner, discover a delightful bird bathing area beside the outdoor shower, as if whispering, “Birds, bathe here!” Music mingles with the soothing sound of fountains, creating a symphony of tranquility. Beyond this serene spot, breathtaking mountain vistas lead to our inviting pool area, the ultimate family gathering place. 

Step into my potting shed, adorned with framed prints from my solitary strolls along the Seine River in Paris. Baskets of hydrangeas add seasonal charm, while the shed becomes a winter sanctuary where I arrange flowers, nurture potted plants, and enjoy Classical music with the gentle trickle of an indoor fountain.

Our garden features enchanting “rooms” including an outdoor dining area, a family room with a fireplace for roasting s’mores, and a cozy courtyard with a fountain. Simple yet exquisite design elements create peace and joy, making memories that linger for a lifetime.

KYLEE MIDDLETON GARDEN

When searching for a forever home for our young family, our focus was all about the yard. We dreamed of a large, flat, east-facing backyard with mature trees for our kids to enjoy for years to come.

Three years ago, we began remodeling the outside to suit our interests better. Our landscaping is a harmonious blend of bold and timeless, old and new, wild and tame.

At the heart of our garden stands a beautiful outdoor greenhouse, allowing us to grow plants year-round while evoking the charm of classical European gardens. Our bold pink slide into the pool, imported from Europe, adds a playful touch for our growing family. Our hope for this yard is that it becomes a cherished haven for all ages, a place where memories are made and enjoyed for many years to come.

Draper City Conservation Garden (Check-In)
12354 S 800 E, Draper

Welcome to our conservation garden, a meticulously designed outdoor space prioritizing environmental sustainability and local ecosystem preservation. It supports biodiversity, conserves water, and minimizes chemical inputs, fostering natural beauty and ecological harmony.

This city demonstration garden goes beyond aesthetics, championing environmental stewardship and sustainability. It inspires practical gardening with artificial turf, water features, park strip examples, and plants labeled with QR codes for easy learning. It’s an enriching educational experience!

Explore and see how thoughtful design and sustainable practices can create a garden that’s both stunning and eco-friendly. Let our conservation garden spark your journey to cultivate your own ecological paradise.

HOLLY SONNTAG GARDEN

We built our house in Draper in 1994, transforming an acre and a half of horse property into a family paradise. Our first mission? Creating a giant sandbox and playground for our three kids to enjoy while we worked.

The tall trees now framing our property began as pencil-sized seedlings, obtained free from the forest service. Building the playhouse was a family adventure, piecing it together with scrap lumber and materials our girls scavenged from dumpsters and roadsides as nearby houses sprang up. Over the years, our garden evolved from a sprawling row garden to the raised beds we now love and use to nourish our family.

Early on, we added chickens, a coop, and an orchard, not just for food but to teach our children valuable life lessons. When the boys arrived, they clamored for a treehouse of their own, and that became another cherished family project.

Our garden is a vibrant haven filled with flowers, trees, shrubs, and cozy spaces. It’s a place for friends and family to gather, relax, play, and be happy. Come and enjoy the beauty and joy that we’ve cultivated over the years!

TROY AND STEFANI WALKER GARDEN

Mayor Troy Walker and Stefani took on the challenge from the Draper Tree Committee in early 2021 – transforming their half-acre lot into a showcase of water-wise planting and landscaping. Stefani dove into the Localscapes program, mastering sprinkler-to-drip conversions and crafting gathering spots with chat gravel, and flagstone paths.

Year by year, they revamped sections of their yard, with family pitching in to remove grass and upgrade sprinklers. With guidance from experts like Michelle Coker and Summerhays Landscape, they tackled grass removal and hardscape installation themselves.

The rewards are plentiful: Their low-maintenance yard brims with creativity and diversity, saving them $1,500 annually on lawn care and slashing their water bill in half. By shunning chemicals, they’ve fostered biodiversity, from thriving honey bees on Dutch white clover to a flourishing kitchen garden and pollinator patch.

Their themed areas bloom with Utah natives, repurposed tomato cages guarding herb beds, and a Mediterranean-inspired backyard oasis with succulents and veggies. Alongside their pool and pickleball court, it’s a haven for both play and peaceful reflection.

To nurture their soil and wildlife, they annually add compost and leave winter foliage undisturbed, hosting praying mantises and curbing grasshopper populations. Mayor Troy and Stefani’s journey epitomizes resilience and community, a testament to sustainable living in action.

CAROLYN PHIPPEN GARDEN

Four years ago, we embarked on a journey with our new home, surrounded by towering trees on our expansive half-acre lot. Initially greeted by landscape fabric and black lava rock in the flower beds, we’ve spent the last three summers transforming our outdoor space into a paradise.

Out went the old, and in came shrubs, perennials, and whimsical stone pathways. We added arbors, trellises, and a greenhouse fashioned from charming relics: windows from the original Lehi post office, a front door salvaged from a pioneer home in Manti, and a rustic herringbone brick floor.

My husband might declare the garden “finished,” but like any true gardener, I know it’s forever evolving. Nevertheless, in just a few short years, it’s become our sanctuary—a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life, and the perfect backdrop for family gatherings and joyful gatherings with friends.

SCOTT AND LISA CARROLL GARDEN

Both my husband and I grew up admiring our dads’ dedication to their gardens and yards, instilling in us a deep appreciation for hardwork and nurturing green spaces.

Drawing from these cherished values, we’ve spent a decade crafting our backyard oasis. Central to its allure is a dramatic two-story waterfall cascading through artfully arranged rocks, enhanced by a diverse array of trees, flowers, and shrubs from Glover Nursery.

Personally, my gardening routine revolves around planting and nurturing over 250 annuals each season—a labor of love that’s challenging but incredibly rewarding!

Our garden has become not just a reflection of our passion for gardening but also a cherished retreat where we gather with family and friends, creating lasting memories amidst nature’s beauty.

JAY AND TAMI MINNICK GARDEN

Seventeen years ago, in 2007, we found our sanctuary nestled in the south mountains. We planted vibrant gardens bursting with perennials, trees, and shrubs, accented by pots brimming with seasonal blooms. Adding to the allure, a cascading waterfall creates a soothing backdrop.

Imagining lively conversations with loved ones, we tailored our average-sized half-acre lot (typical for our area) with enchanting outdoor lighting, a cozy fire pit, and a serene fireplace. Countless gatherings and memorable parties have graced these spaces, etching joyous moments into our hearts.

We eagerly anticipate welcoming you to experience our haven—a place where laughter echoes, friendships blossom, and every visit promises moments of tranquility and connection amid nature’s embrace.

Olson’s Greenhouse Trial Garden (Check-In)
350 W 200 S, Santaquin
(This special bonus garden is open on Friday, Saturday, and then we added Sunday so you would have time to visit this special trial garden that is never open to the public.)

Did you know that flower breeders are constantly working on improving genetics and developing new flower colors, patterns, and varieties?

The best part of our job at Olson’s Greenhouse is traveling the world to discover these new genetics. Once located, we bring them back to Utah to produce and grow so we can make sure they’ll perform in our unique Utah environment.

See our huge 1-acre Trial Garden (normally not open to the public) and take a sneak peek behind the curtain at over 700 unique varieties of annuals and perennials as we test them in our flower beds for season-long performance.

We also have about 150 unique combinations of plants that we’re evaluating in our container garden trial.

Stop by and see for yourself what’s “up and coming” in the ever-changing world of bedding plants. We’d love to get your vote on your favorite flower combinations

And who knows, maybe one of the combos that you pick will show up in a garden center near you next Spring!