STARKVILLE — The Starkville Town and Country Garden Club toured the beautiful and eclectic gardens and historic home of John and Dawn Herring in Mayhew, Mississippi for its April 3 meeting.
“We love learning gardening techniques and visiting the gardens of landscape and garden experts like John and Dawn Herring, owners of Boardtown Landscaping and former owners of Boardtown Garden Center. Touring formal gardens and home gardens provide us opportunities to see best practices in use and generate creative ideas,” said Kathryn Davis, president of the Starkville Town and Country Garden Club. “We are so fortunate to have Dawn Herring as a member, and it was a real joy to see how John and Dawn have restored a 150-year-old home and created fun and eclectic garden spaces around it.”
Before members toured the grounds, Bess Swedenburg, a former Mayhew postmaster and life-long Mayhew resident, shared the history of the Mayhew Mission as well as stories of visiting family who lived in the house, last owned by Martha Burgin Fort, that John and Dawn restored.
John and Dawn’s creativity and passion were evident as members toured the gardens which featured unique plant combinations, uncommon planters, old stained-glass windows, bottle trees, bowling balls, car hub caps, and a bust of the philosopher Voltaire. Of special interest were unique metal pieces used either as containers or as sculptures. As members toured the gardens, they encountered a surprise at every turn, including a giant, paper mache flower prominently featured on the front porch.
“Our house and gardens are examples of three of our passions – antiques, art and gardening,” said Dawn Herring. “We have retired from retail and our former business, Boardtown Gardens and More, which was an antique mall, art gallery and garden center. Our home and garden are expressions of our personalities and love of local art both inside and outside our home.”
In addition to the educational presentation, Club President Kathryn Davis conducted the business meeting and members enjoyed delicious appetizers prepared by hostesses Brenda Thames, Dawn Herring, Suzanne Lindley, Martha Wells and Bryn Taylor.
At the end of the meeting, garden club members participated in a plant swap. Members brought plants from their yard to give away, and the plants were distributed via a random drawing.
The Starkville Town and Country Garden Club strives to improve the knowledge of its members through monthly educational programs, regional workshops, and the sharing of information and resources among club members.
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