Exploring the Green Spaces of The Magnolia Silos

On a cold February morning, alongside my mother and sisters, I found myself at The Magnolia Silos. These are created and made famous by the much-loved hosts of HGTV’s ‘Fixer Upper’ program. 

We were on a girls road trip through Texas. As fans of the show, The Silos in Waco were a must-see destination.

A Blend of Edibles and Ornamentals in Magnolia Silos Garden Containers

The day we arrived was brisk. We went straight to the bakery, which is well-known for its delicious cupcakes and pastries. My travel companions saved me a place in line. And I headed straight for the decorative window boxes along the front and side of the bakery.

Window Box Garden Delights

To be honest, I didn’t expect to see much in the way of greenery or gardens in winter. The lovely plantings underneath the windows pleasantly surprised me.

I mixed edible plants with ornamental ones, creating a blending of soft, complimentary shades that suited the cloudy day.

The rosemary pruned into little topiaries created the perfect backdrop for the white, ornamental kale.

The Joy of Cupcakes

There is almost always a line around the bakery. We were fortunate only to have to wait for 10 minutes before entering. In the meantime, someone handed us a bakery menu, allowing us to select what we wanted ahead of time.

I picked the ‘Shiplap’ cupcake. Because, where else was I ever going to have the opportunity to get one anywhere else? It was delicious!

Magnolia Love Inside and Out

This sign within the bakery echoed the sentiments of all who entered. We all came out with a box of much-coveted cupcakes.

Once outside of the bakery, we headed for the main store. Four espaliered magnolia trees grace the left of the entrance.

The relatively empty facade can be deceiving; inside, it bustled with shoppers. Don’t be fooled by the appearance from the outside, as the interior was filled with eager shoppers.

Lavender Welcome

A grouping of lavender greeted us as we climbed the steps into the store.

I clutched my wallet tightly while I tried to figure out how much I had budgeted for shopping, and then I entered the store.

It was immediately evident that Joanna has a deep love for gardening and plants. Although all those inside the store were artificial greenery and flowers.

Garden Discoveries

Back outdoors, my sister and I posed for a picture before we headed over to the garden area.

The garden is surrounded with beds filled with roses that had recently been cut back. Tulips are just beginning to emerge.

Beyond the green spaces of The Magnolia Silos, you can find The Magnolia Seed & Supply shop. It is filled with garden decor along with seeds available for purchase. 

The Beauty of in the Green Spaces of The Magnolia Silos

Raised beds are filled with leafy greens. I like the wooden branches used to support the frost cloth.

green spaces of The Magnolia Silos

To the side of the store was a little greenhouse with a planter full of gorgeous kale. 

I must admit that I’ve never thought of kale as ‘gorgeous’ before, but it was in this case.

On our way out, we took a photo of the silos surrounded by families and kids playing on a large expanse of artificial turf. They were using old-fashioned lawn games provided.

A quick stop for a photo.

I hope you enjoyed exploring the green spaces of The Magnolia Silos with me. I certainly did!

The Green Spaces of Chicago

Noelle Johnson, aka, 'AZ Plant Lady' is a author, horticulturist, and landscape consultant who helps people learn how to create, grow, and maintain beautiful desert gardens that thrive in a hot, dry climate. She does this through her consulting services, her online class Desert Gardening 101, and her monthly membership club, Through the Garden Gate. As she likes to tell desert-dwellers, "Gardening in the desert isn't hard, but it is different."