A: 1 Buffalo Avenue - Locke Mill Plaza

Starting Point at Locke Mill Plaza.

B: 213 Union Street North - John and Peg Morrison

Featuring food from Emma's

Our rear Charleston garden was created with the demolition of a flat- roofed garage and the addition of a sun room on the back of our residence. A new garage was constructed, juxtaposed with the south end of the residence, and in this courtyard a dual-level patio was created with a black iron Charleston fountain set in a circular brick pool. Below these two patios is a grass croquet lawn outlined in brick. Note the daughter's play house nestled in the back southwest corner of the garden. In the rear motor court a custom wood pergola graces the garage doors. The motor court is laid in a herringbone brick pattern. An informal walkway leads to the north side service entrance for easy access to the kitchen.

The yard has many Charleston plantings, including the evergreen clematis (Clematis Armandii) on the pergola, two camellia sasanqua espaliers, fig vine, cast iron plants, Chindo viburnum and several boxwoods. The two hemlocks are all that remain from the original plantings in the back garden. Much care was taken to save them during construction.

Architect David Kelly of Charlotte and Garden Designer John Byrd of Charlotte worked together in blending the garden with the architectural additions.

C: 103 Union Street North - Rob and Glenda Steel

Featuring food from Two Leaves and a Bud

Blessed by the presence of mature boxwoods, magnolias, camelias and oaks on this century-old property, the Steels have edited out the inappropriate, such as barbed wire fencing and given structure to their gardens with new hardscaping, deck, arbor, and fountain. Striving for year-round interest, they have added variety to the mix of plants with viburnums, hydrangeas, roses, and other woody shrubs. In their 25 years on Union Street North, Glenda and Rob have added tapestry shrub borders, a woodland garden, a dry shade garden, an herb garden, and a composting center. Birds and wildlife are welcomed by many birdbaths and feeders.

D: 90 Washington Lane - Kip and Faith Lyon

Featuring food from Max's Ally

We have been in this house 30 years, and everything is still a work in progress. We had a very small, uninteresting backyard and about 5 years ago, decided to have a pond and patio put in. The two waterfalls that empty into the pond are nestled into the natural hill that is at the back of our property. We have worked since then to establish flowers and actually, anything that will grow, in the very hot summer sun it gets all afternoon. A couple of years ago, we added a white picket fence enclosing the pond and patio and now strive for things to climb over the arbor and fence.

E: 104 Washington Lane - Lori McGuire

Featuring food from The Sweet Pea Cafe

This lovely home and its gardens sit among the rolling hills of Washington Lane. The garden is divided into four distinct areas. The front garden is more formal and is a sunny, hot spot. The back and side areas are full of shade and whimsical touches. There is a cozy swing hanging from the branch of an old oak tree and an area devoted to the child in all of us. This garden pops with colorful flower pots and bright, beautiful gerbera daisies and geraniums. If you've ever wondered what to do with a hillside, small garden area, or heavy shade, this is a must-see garden.

F: 312 Union Street South - The Quickel's

Featuring food from The Ibis

The Quickels' charming garden begins in their front yard which sits on a stately hill under beautiful oaks. Their large front porch beckons for someone to sit awhile and enjoy the view. The Charleston style garden on the south side of the house is full of miniature gardenias and Annabelle hydrangeas. A cozy niche for two is tucked up against the brick wall. In the back yard is a meandering walkway that takes you past roses, camellias, hollies, azaleas, and around the pond. A little of all things beautiful can be found in the Quickels' garden.

G: 520 Union Street South - Dick and Jackie Whitfield

Featuring food from The Sweet Life

The Whitfields welcome you to our small intimate garden. The garden was lovingly planned and planted by the original mistress of the house, Mrs. Elizabeth Davis, mother of Roy Davis. As the residents of this house for over twenty years, we have continued to care for and enhance the beauty of the garden. The garden is planted with many traditional southern plants: a wide variety of camellia, azalea, as well as forsythia, nandina, acuba, hydrangea, daphne and multiples of bulbs. The four corners of the back yard are planted with oak and pecan trees whose limbs arch toward the sky forming the roof of the garden. We lovingly refer to this as the green cathedral. In the center of the arching limbs in the yard is a garden angel sculpted by Joel Haas of Raleigh. A 2007 gallery exhibit sponsored by Cabarrus Arts Council at the Historic Courthouse featured the garden angel. Beautiful brick walls outline the garden and add privacy. Enjoy a stroll or a moment of quiet mediation in our small city garden, a safe and quiet haven from the busy whirlwind of life.

H: 50 Spring Street - Memorial Gardens

Ending Point at Memorial Gardens.