Garden Club members enjoy this Argyle gem.
Ellen Sullivan
The Robson Ranch garden club field trip was on April 20. The members toured a local gem only a short drive away in Argyle, Texas. It is the home and gardens of Barbara and Mark Smith. The property is two and a half acres with views of Denton, Frisco, Dallas, and Pilot Knob.
The home is oriented to capture the view of the sunsets as they move during the year. All of the three buildings were built using the natural sandstone from an abandoned quarry found on-site.
There are multiple areas dedicated to various gardens. Three years ago the couple began working to reclaim the property’s natural look by “re-wilding” the land to its original look and feel.
The three designated gardens include:
1. Raised bed vegetable garden—uses large containers designed to protect against the intense summer heat. The beds have zippered covers which protect during the early growing season and during the heat of the summer. The beds include tomato plants, basil, gourd plants, herbs and many others. They rely on a drip system installed by Barbara. The crops are rotated in the multiple beds every few years. Near the beds are also pots containing heat resistant flowers, a fig tree and herbs.
2. Pollinator garden for butterflies, bees and birds—primarily flowering Texas native plants to provide the three things needed for the wildlife which are: 1) a safe place to live, 2) water, 3) food. This garden was surrounded by a beautiful stone border and contained bee balm, blue mist, lantana, and many others.
3. Shade Garden—converted the original vegetable garden to an herb and shade garden due to tree growth.
In addition to the beautiful and natural landscape surrounding the home, we toured the two artist workshops (one for Mark, a talented sculpture of large wooden pieces and abstract art painter and one for Barbara—also a very talented portrait artist) as well as the beautiful two-bedroom, spacious home. Many of their art pieces and collections were on display in the home and were a wonder to behold!
Following the wonderful garden and home tour we enjoyed a wonderful lunch in the new outdoor seating area at Little Joe’s in Argyle.
The Garden Club plans its annual tour of Robson yards on May 18. This will conclude the club’s activities for 2025-26. We meet on the third Monday of the month, from September through May. Dues are $10 per year per household, not per individual. Please consider joining this wonderful club in September.