grace grits and gardening

ramblings from an arkansas farm girl

  • Home
  • Bio
  • Publishing
  • SHOP!
  • Garden
  • Food
  • Reading & Books
  • Sunday Letter

Secret Gardens of Fayetteville

September 2, 2017 By Talya Tate Boerner

Secret Gardens of Fayetteville

It’s no secret, The Secret Garden is one of my all-time favorite books. Early on, it helped shape me and became part of my personal narrative. Because of that, it probably comes as no surprise that I always notice secret gardens wherever I go.

My definition of a secret garden: a tucked away, enchanted green area. It may be located behind a garden gate, in an unexpected corner of a commercial space, growing wild along the ditch bank . There may be faeries present for those who believe.

Every place has secret gardens, but not everyone sees them. Today, I’m sharing a few of my favorite secret gardens of Fayetteville. I bet there are secret gardens where you live, too.

Fayetteville Square:

If you’ve been to Fayetteville Farmer’s Market, you know the entire square is beautifully landscaped. If you take the time to walk through the grounds, you’ll find pocket gardens and pathways throughout. No matter the season, the gardens are inspirational.

Fayetteville Secret Gardens - square

Fayetteville Square

Fayetteville Square

Fayetteville Public Library:

Not only do we have a fabulous library, but the grounds surrounding it provide meditative spaces. Next time you are there, walk around the building and take it all in. Better yet, check out a book and read outside. (The views from inside are spectacular as well.)

Fayetteville Public Library

library gardens

Clinton House Museum:

The Clinton House Museum is not only full of history but the cottage gardens provide a lovely surprise. The First Ladies Garden features a flower dedicated and attributed to each first lady.

secret gardens of fayetteville, clinton museum

first ladies garden at Clinton Museum

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church:

This historic church on East Avenue is surrounded by old shade trees with calm spaces.

secret garden

University of Arkansas:

There’s much to see on the University of Arkansas campus with respect to landscaping, including the campus arboretum, home to one of each native Arkansas tree. But on the southwest side of campus, The Gardens is a park-like setting with mature trees, pavilions and picnic tables. (Gets crazy on game day though as this is a popular tailgating spot.) When you head to the Hill for the next game, take time to enjoy campus beauty, too.

secret gardens of fayetteville

The Gardens U of A

Headquarters House:

The Headquarters House, built in 1853 by Judge Jonas Tebbetts, served as both Union and Confederate headquarters during the Civil War. The gardens look much as they did in the mid-1800s. Judge Tebbetts’ daughter, Marian, left behind her journal which included jottings about the garden. And based on Marian’s detailed journal, Washington County Master Gardeners designed historically accurate beds with heirloom plants.

secret gardens of fayetteville

Mt. Sequoyah:

Don’t visit Fayetteville without exploring Mt. Sequoyah. In my opinion, the entire mountain is a secret garden with trails, natural space, and stunning vistas.

mt sequoyah

Washington-Willow Neighborhood:

We live in the Washington-Willow neighborhood and while walking Lucy and  Annabelle, I always notice secret gardens. Every house has one, but I don’t want to invade anyone’s privacy. This vacant space on Walnut is intriguing, don’t you think?

Secret Gardens of Fayetteville

Walnut Street

We often walk around the Fulbright Building on Dickson (once the location of the library). Beautiful landscaping here and a secret fountain we visit on weekends when folks aren’t at work.

secret gardens

Fulbright Building

A hint of fun behind this fence.

secret gardens of fayetteville

I like to think of our own Little Free Library as a secret garden during summer. Our neighborhood has lots of them. Books & blooms!

Little Free Library

I would love to hear about secret gardens in your area, as well as other secret gardens in Fayetteville and Northwest Arkansas. I know I barely scratched the surface.

Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

P.S. The first picture is the secret garden at Vintage Cargo.

[tweetthis]the Secret Gardens of Fayetteville @ExpFayetteville #nwark #garden[/tweetthis]

Musical Pairing:
Ode to Simplicity – Secret Garden

Filed Under: Gardening, Simple Pleasures Tagged With: Fayetteville Arkansas, Garden Design, secret gardens, The Secret Garden

Wanna receive posts via email? Sign up here!

Comments

  1. creecy33bara Tate says

    September 2, 2017 at 8:21 am

    You do live in a beautiful place. I think you have created a secret garden in your own yard. Love your pictures.

  2. Colene says

    September 2, 2017 at 8:25 am

    Lovely! Great photos and some interesting history.


Hi! I'm Talya Tate Boerner. Writer, Reader, Arkansas Master Naturalist / Master Gardener, Author of

THE ACCIDENTAL SALVATION OF GRACIE LEE (2016)

GENE, EVERYWHERE: a life-changing visit from my father-in-law (2020)

BERNICE RUNS AWAY (2022)

THE THIRD ACT OF THEO GRUENE (coming 2025)

Recent Ramblings:

  • Sunday Letter: May 25, 2025
  • Sunday Letter: May 4, 2025
  • Sunday Letter: Rainy Day Edition
  • Spiderwort: my love-hate relationship
  • Sunday Letter: March 23, 2025

Never miss a blog post! Subscribe via email:

Looking for something?

Categories

All the Things!

A to Z April Blog Challenge Autumn BAT Book Reviews childhood Christmas creative writing prompt Dallas Desserts Fall Fayetteville Food Gracie Lee Halloween Hemingway-Pfeiffer holiday recipes home humor Johnson Family Keiser Lake Norfork Lucy and Annabelle Mississippi County Mississippi Delta Monarch butterflies Munger Place Nana nature Northeast Arkansas Northwest Arkansas Osceola poem Reading Schnauzer simple living simple things spring spring gardening Summer Talya Tate Boerner novel Thanksgiving The Accidental Salvation of Gracie Lee Thomas Tate Winter Wordless Wednesday

Food. Farm. Garden. Life.

THANKS FOR READING!

All content and photos Copyright Grace, Grits and Gardening © 2025 · Web Hosting By StrataByte