Letter from the Executive Director

Greetings! It's hard to believe that 2021 is almost over. Our year at the Garden was true to form for the year in general, I suppose, with some setbacks and some victories. The big freeze in February was challenging but we were very fortunate. That difficulty was balanced out by the installation of the beautiful Dixie Friend Gay mural in July, the most successful Taking Root Luncheon we've ever had in October, the completion of the stunning footbridge for John across Dry Creek in November, and the joyous celebration of John's life and legacy, also in November. Along the way we had guests from all over the country come by to enjoy the Garden, we renewed some areas on the property that were looking a little shabby, and we put lots of new plant material in the ground. It was a great year, all in all, and I feel incredibly fortunate to be involved with such an extraordinary Garden and community of supporters. To all of you who have supported the Garden this year either through membership or financial contributions or volunteering your time and energy, thank you. We are so grateful for your generosity. If you've thought about making a contribution to the Garden but haven't yet, now is the perfect time. Our friends at Pledge have a contest timed perfectly for our year end appeal. Pledge will match up to $1,000 in donations to Pledge fundraisers that enter the contest, up to $50,000 in total. Once the $50,000 runs out, that's it, so if you're planning to give, please don't hesitate.

Yes, I want to give to the Year End Appeal!

Thank you again for helping us on our mission to preserve, share, and advance the horticultural and artistic legacy of John Fairey. We look forward to seeing you in 2022! Warm regards,

Save the Date! Budding Out Plant Festival Returns!

Though our efforts to present Budding Out were thwarted both in 2020 and 2021, we're determined this year to restore the event to its former glory. Make sure you put it on your calendar and we'l follow up with a list of extraordinary plant vendors and artisans.

Notes from John Fairey's Mexico plant collecting journals

Since we're approaching Christmas, we thought it appropriate to share a journal page from Christmas, 1995. John and his companions departed for Mexico on Christmas eve, the day before this entry. Trips to Mexico during the Christmas holiday were not unusual for John, presumably because he was on break from his teaching responsibilities at A&M.

Trip 64 25 December 1995 Leave Sabinas - Hotel Gran Sabinas (Seen better days) 9:15 AM headed for Dolores T64M-4p-122595 Zephyranthes - Blue narrow foliage - Top of rock hill very little foliage quite dry T64M-5s-122595 Bouchea linifolia - collected off of many plants T64M-6p-1225195 Alophia ? (?) dormant in seed T64M-7p-122595 Agave scabra - selection blue/good spine T64M-8s-122595 Escobaria sp - very tight nest of yellow/ gold spines. 4”-5” globular body! T64M-8.5s-122595 Sophia secundiflora T64M-9p-122595 the new Agave Lynn showed us between Monclova(sp?) & Saltillo Agave strict grandefolia - unusual colors green, whitish, purple, and maroon ones

Membership to the Garden makes a great gift

Have you thought about giving a membership to The John Fairey Garden as a holiday gift? It's easy to sign up a friend of loved one. You can do so here. 

Closeups from the Garden