Two private Houston gardens will throw open their gates for a single Saturday this month, giving the public a rare look at landscapes that are normally hidden behind residential walls. The Garden Conservancy's Open Days program returns to Harris County on Saturday, October 10, 2026, offering access to two private gardens in Houston, according to Woodlands Online.
One of the two stops is the Kyle-Lasseter Garden, tucked in the heart of Houston's Museum District, according to the Garden Conservancy. The garden was created by Dillon Kyle and Sam Lasseter when they built their house almost 15 years ago, per the same listing. Dillon, an architect and founder of Dillon Kyle Architects, designed the house in a vernacular style that fits its surroundings, the Garden Conservancy notes. Woodlands Online describes the garden as inspired by vernacular Southern landscapes.
What Visitors Will See at the Kyle-Lasseter Garden
According to Woodlands Online, the Kyle-Lasseter Garden features a circular pool, a manicured lawn, repurposed brick pathways, planted beds and an eclectic container collection. The Garden Conservancy's own description similarly points to a pool, a serpentine brick wall and brick walkways, along with a large number of potted plants arranged among pots and pedestals throughout the space.
The second Houston stop on the tour is Mi Santuario, which Woodlands Online describes as framing a classic historic bungalow. The outlet reports that the property features a backyard oasis and whimsical animal sanctuary, including living fauna alongside sculpted birds and wildlife.
Tickets, Hours and Registration Rules
Woodlands Online reports that the Open Days program runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on October 10, with tickets priced at $10 for the general public and $5 for Garden Conservancy members, while children 12 and under are admitted free when accompanied by an adult. The outlet also reports that pets are prohibited in the participating private gardens.
Regardless of ticket price, visitors must reserve tickets in advance online rather than at the gate. The Garden Conservancy's own ticketing guidance confirms that all registrations must be processed online through the organization's website, and that garden hosts do not have the ability to collect payments or verify memberships onsite. Once registered, visitors receive an electronic ticket that includes the garden's address, location and parking instructions, per the Garden Conservancy's ticket release guidance.
That same guidance notes that registration for a given garden remains open until the end of the Open Day or until all tickets have sold out, so early sign-up is worth considering. Tickets are typically released online around two months ahead of an Open Day, generally near the first of the month, according to the organization.
A Program With National Reach
Open Days describes itself as America's only nationwide private garden-visiting program, according to the Garden Conservancy, which says the program lets visitors tour hundreds of private gardens around the country. Woodlands Online additionally reports that Open Days has welcomed more than 1.4 million visitors, has included thousands of private landscapes, and operates across 41 states.
For Houston garden enthusiasts, the one-day window on October 10 offers a chance to walk through two very different private spaces — one a Museum District retreat built around brick and water, the other a bungalow-framed sanctuary filled with living and sculpted creatures alike.
