By Terri Steffes
Each June, the New Town at Saint Charles Residents Garden Tour showcases the creativity, horticultural knowledge, and dedication of homeowners who transform their landscapes into beautiful and functional outdoor living spaces. More than a collection of attractive gardens, the tour celebrates thoughtful design, environmental stewardship, and the unique character that gardens contribute to a neighborhood.
The 2026 Garden Tour featured a diverse selection of landscapes, each reflecting a different gardening philosophy and aesthetic. Visitors experienced everything from colorful perennial borders and pollinator-friendly plantings to elegant hardscapes, intimate courtyard gardens, and innovative solutions for maximizing smaller outdoor spaces. Together, the featured gardens demonstrated that successful garden design is not determined by size, but by careful planning, appropriate plant selection, and attention to seasonal interest.
The garden at 3520 Hempstead offered a beautifully executed interpretation of a traditional English kitchen garden, blending ornamental beauty with productive growing spaces. Raised vegetable beds, a charming tea garden, and a stunning rose garden connected by elegant gates demonstrated how edible and ornamental gardening can be seamlessly combined into a landscape of exceptional beauty and function.
At 3487 Hempstead, visitors enjoyed an impressive wildflower garden celebrating Missouri’s native landscape. Native blooms, distinctive garden art, and magnificent oversized hostas created a serene setting that reflected both natural beauty and artistic expression.
Located at 3516 Shire Lane, Shire Lane Estates—New Town’s newest event venue—welcomed guests to explore beautifully landscaped grounds developed on the site of the community’s former organic farm. A picturesque koi pond, water lilies, blooming wisteria, and the iconic working windmill created a memorable backdrop while showcasing a new destination for weddings, celebrations, and community events.
The garden at 3424 West Lime Kiln served as a peaceful family retreat filled with colorful flowers, vibrant daylilies, spectacular dahlias, and a soothing water fountain. A winding brick paver walkway led visitors through thoughtfully designed gathering spaces that balanced beauty, comfort, and tranquility.
Contemporary design took center stage at 3358 Simeon Bunker. Designed by Charles Luebke of Studio Luebke, the landscape featured expansive porcelain pavers, vertical fencing, a tranquil water feature, modern garden art, and inviting outdoor living spaces that extended the home seamlessly into the landscape.
One of the tour’s most charming surprises was the pocket garden at 3412 Woolen Mill Street. Entered through a passage framed by towering evergreens, the space felt like a secret garden. Seasonal containers, spectacular clematis, and a beautifully shaped Japanese maple demonstrated how thoughtful design can transform even the smallest space into an extraordinary destination.
At 3421 John Lily Street, visitors experienced a landscape that continues to evolve with each season. A newly constructed pergola by Dragonfly Fencing provided an inviting gathering space complete with a fireplace surround, comfortable seating, and lush greenery. Throughout the garden, hostas of varying sizes and textures created a cool, tranquil atmosphere while multiple seating areas encouraged relaxation and conversation.
The garden at 3607 Arpent Street showcased what creativity, hard work, and family collaboration can accomplish. While the front landscape was professionally installed, the backyard reflected the homeowners’ own vision and craftsmanship. Flower beds, towering clematis, a generous herb garden, and welcoming outdoor gathering spaces created a landscape that was both practical and beautiful.
The final stop on the tour, 3605 South New Town Avenue, demonstrated how a thoughtfully designed townhome garden can become an inviting urban oasis. Shade-loving plants, distinctive garden art, and abundant container plantings created the charm of a city courtyard garden, while intimate dining spaces encouraged visitors to linger and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.
A new feature of this year’s Garden Tour was the introduction of “Walk-By Gardens”, recognizing front-yard landscapes that contribute to the beauty and character of the neighborhood without being open for full tours. These gardens showcased creative plant combinations, eye-catching garden art, and distinctive landscape features that could be enjoyed from the sidewalk. The 2026 Walk-By Gardens included 3445 Woolen Mill Street, 5013 Keokuk, 5009 Keokuk, 5005 Keokuk, 3144 Pirogue Way, and 3470 Arpent Street.
The New Town at Saint Charles Garden Tour continues to demonstrate the important role residential gardens play in strengthening communities and promoting an appreciation for horticulture. By opening their private landscapes to visitors, participating homeowners contribute not only to the beauty of the neighborhood but also to the exchange of ideas that inspires gardeners of every experience level.
This year’s featured gardens highlighted a wide range of design styles, plant combinations, and practical gardening solutions, reinforcing the idea that every landscape has the potential to become both a personal retreat and an expression of creativity. Many thanks go to our garden tour participants, as we are not a tour without them. As another growing season unfolds, the gardens of New Town continue to serve as a source of inspiration, demonstrating that thoughtful design and careful stewardship can create landscapes of lasting beauty.