Secrets from the Garden

Chandor Gardens Newsletter - July 2019 - With Updates

UPDATE: This revised July newsletter, contains links that take you directly to the online event information and ticket pages for "Cliburn in the Classroom - July & August Classes" and "A Night in Venice - Masked Ball." We hope this will make it much more direct (less clicking) for those who are interested in attending these events.

June turned out to be another unseasonably cool month in the gardens with several rain showers to boot, but you don’t hear us complaining. The best part of this is that the gardens are lush with new growth and greenery every which way one turns! We have really enjoyed this beautiful weather and hope it continues this way as long as possible before the sweltering summer heat sets in.

Additionally, it's not too late to reserve your child a spot for the Cliburn in the Classroom event being held in the gardens. There are two events scheduled, one on July 20th, and another on August 10th. Both events start at 11 AM, last approximately an hours, and will be a great educational event for kiddos in the age ranges of second grade to fourth grade. These are FREE events, but you will need to reserve your child's spot online in advance.

Reserve Tickets to the July 20th Cliburn in the Classroom

Reserve Tickets to the August 10th Cliburn in the Classroom

Parents are encouraged to join us for a docent guided tour through the garden while your child is in class learning from classically trained pianists of immense talent. You might even consider packing a lunch and having a picnic with your children after the event!

To ensure you stay up to date on events and happenings in the Garden, follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

See you in the gardens,
The Chandor Gardens Staff

Cliburn in the Classroom
at Chandor Gardens

For 2nd, 3rd & 4th Graders
July 20th & August 10th
Free - Reservations Required

Chandor Gardens Foundation is partnering with the Cliburn to present two Cliburn in the Classroom programs this summer in the Chandor Gardens mansion.

These interactive, free programs are typically brought to public schools and presented to children in 2nd through 4th grades. This is the first time the Cliburn has presented the programs in the summer and an excellent opportunity to enrich the lives of children in our community by giving them an appreciation of classical music that will last a lifetime!

The classes will be held on Saturday, July 20th, and on Saturday, August 10th, at 11 a.m.

The July program will be Beethoven, which is centered on the composer and features works almost exclusively by him. It's an interactive program that gets kids thinking about how music conveys different moods, and wraps up with a clapping game that's fun for everyone! Due to limited space, reservations are required.

Reserve Tickets to the July 20th Cliburn in the Classroom

The August 10th program will be Musical Organizers, which is also about different musical forms, or how composers use different "rules" and ideas to organize their compositions. The program gives several examples of different forms used all the time in classical as well as pop music. Due to limited space, reservations are required.

Reserve Tickets to the August 10th Cliburn in the Classroom

For additional information, call 817-613-1700.

Parents are encouraged to remain in the Gardens during the 40-minute program and enjoy a free docent-guided tour while your children are in class. Bring a picnic and enjoy lunch in the Gardens with your children after the programs!

"A Night in Venice" Masked Ball
at Chandor Gardens

Saturday, October 12, 2019
7:00 to 11:00 pm
Tickets: $100 each; $1000 for a reserved table of 8
Tickets: Purchase Tickets Online or at Chandor Gardens

Chandor Gardens Foundation invites you to be part of a very special evening of 19th Century intrigue and elegance at "A Night in Venice" Masked Ball at the incredible Chandor Gardens.

A Masked Ball or Masquerade is a festive gathering of people wearing masks and other disguises often with elegant, historical, or fantastic costumes. So search for that perfect mask (masks are encouraged but not required) and fantastic costume or evening attire and join in the celebration.

Dance the night away to the Big Band sound of Dynamic Swing Machine. Relish hearty hors d' oeuvres by Aaron's Catering. Enjoy champagne, wine, or beer from the cash bar.

Master of Ceremonies for the evening: Dave Cowley

There are prizes for masks and costumes, and other amusements throughout the evening.

Proceeds from this fundraiser will help in developing an art and culture center at Chandor Gardens.

Yoga Classes

Tuesdays & Thursdays
5:30 to 6:30 pm
Fee: Donation based
Led by: Loretta Benham

Instructor Loretta Benham offers yoga classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Chandor Gardens. Loretta's mix of energetic sequences incorporated with stillness through breath work and meditation to quiet the mind will provide a healthy addition to any workout regimen.
 
Bring your mat and wear comfortable clothing. In inclement weather, classes will be held in the Great Room.

For more information call 817-597-1503 or 817-613-1700.

Riddle Contest

We are reinstating our riddle contests for the summer, and wish to give our newsletter readers a sneak peek of the prizes. This time around, we are offering a Senecio rowleyanus 'String of Pearls' plant, and two free admissions to the gardens for the first person who can solve the riddle! The riddles will be about specific features in the garden, and you might refer back to your walking tour for help if you get stuck.

To play, you must come to the gardens, find the feature the riddle is about, and take a picture and present it to the office staff.

If you've guessed correctly, you will win the String of Pearls and two free admissions to the garden for future use! Good luck!

RIDDLE #1
This keyhole vision from the east.
Is not a door to a home or room.
But rather, when the sun has ceased,
 Presents a quiet place for the moon.

(photos below: Senecio rowleyanus "String of Pearls" plant photos shared with permission from Elizabeth White of her own Senecio specimens for reference.)

Around the Garden

The Flowers Didn't Receive the Memo
Supposedly it's July, but it would seem that the garden plants have not received that memo, as they are in a spectacular bloom right now. Annuals and perennials alike are awash in vibrant shades of colors spanning every end of the rainbow spectrum. Hibiscus, Phlox, Daylilies, Roses, Vincas, and even an errant Sunflower or two are participating in a riotous display on the west side of the garden. You do NOT want to miss this chance to observe these blooms, and maybe use them for photography. To inquire about and schedule a photography session in the gardens, please call us at 817-613-1700!

Entrance Beds
The beds on either side of the entrance to the gardens from the parking lot have really taken off. The addition of the whimsical glass sculptures from Viz Glass add an element of fun and look mysteriously sweet tucked in between the delicate leaves of the pale caladiums. One almost expects a family of sprites to take wing at any moment. Plectranthus, Ornamental Peppers, Rex Begonias, and Coleus add a bright flair to the whole affair, making this an exceptional spot in the garden this month.

Potted Arrangements
No matter where one is standing in the garden, glorious potted arrangements are visible from almost every vantage point, and they are as unique as they are gorgeous! Blending elements of traditional English gardening, tropical vibes, and a hint of whimsy, each arrangement is more than a flowerpot. It's a real work of art.

Old Herb Garden
Douglas's old Herb Garden is resplendent this month with a myriad of colors and textures. This garden is now too shady for a Herb Garden anymore as the trees have grown so tall and stately, but that doesn't mean that it is boring or forgotten! Caladiums, annual flowers, Iresine shoots, and ornamental grasses make up the focal point, while Hydrangeas frame the edges of the vision. You don't want to miss this sweet little corner of the garden tucked away on the west side of the Bowling Green; no matter how hot it is, a cool and refreshing breeze always seems to pass through here.

Grape Gate
Located at the west end of the old Herb Garden is Douglas Chandor's prized Grape Gate, a gift from his friend Vincent Bendix. These beautifully preserved gates feel like a fitting entrance to a secret garden, and Douglas felt a particularly strong affinity for them, having painstakingly carved into stone, "Good old Vincent, here are your windows," as a way to thank his friend for his special gift.

Weddings

Your "happily ever after" begins here.

Reserve your special day.
Dates are filling up fast for 2019 & 2020.

Contact us to schedule a tour.
Call 817-613-1700 or
email

Gift Shop

Take the Gardens home with you. There are postcards, note cards, prints, and t-shirts sporting fabulous images of Chandor Gardens in our gift shop. We feature unique handmade items by a variety of local artisans specializing in textiles, stained and fused glass, jewelry, painting, photography and much more.

Plant of the Month

'Kent Beauty' Oregano!
This unusual specimen proves that herb plants are anything but boring. 'Kent Beauty' Oregano is a gorgeous herbal plant that blooms repeatedly, and is tipped by lilac and blush-tinged leaves. It has a mounding and draping quality making it a stunning addition to planters, which is exactly what we have done here! Look for them at the entrance to the garden in the large blue pots on either side of the walkway, and be sure to give them a sniff.

Parting Shot

A sure sign that summer is here (despite the relatively mild temperatures we've had) is the faithful fiery-hued Crape Myrtle blossoms every which way one looks! The quintessential summer blossom of north Texas is ubiquitous, but not unappreciated. We have Crape Myrtles of several varieties throughout the garden, but this small magenta specimen next to the office driveway just seemed especially picturesque against that big, blue Texas sky.

Contact Information

Chandor Gardens
711 W Lee Avenue
Weatherford, TX 76086

Karen Nantz
Manager
Phone: 817-613-1700
Fax: 817-598-4354
email:

Steven Chamblee
Horticulturist
email:

Public Hours
Monday-Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Saturday, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Sunday, noon to 4:00 pm
Closed all City Observed Holidays

Admission
Adults: $5
Children 12 and under: Free
(Children must be accompanied by an adult.)

Private Tours and Events
Available year-round by appointment.