06/11/2026
Fields in Bloom at Cove Pastures
The 2026 Mountain Laurel Garden Club Garden Tour, Nurturing Nature and Trees by Accident, will take place Saturday, June 27, from 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
One of the most visually striking stops on this year’s Tour is Cove Pastures @ Branch Bender Cidery, the working flower field and gardens of Chester and Trish Yoder, located along Harmon Road in Accident. Visitors arriving at the farm are greeted by sweeping views from the flower field, where more than 250 peonies of many colors and varieties have been planted over the years.
While most peony blooms will have passed by the time of the tour, the field remains vibrant with 25 rows of annuals and perennials planted each year for enjoyment and for use in Trish’s floral design business, Petal Branch. Movement and texture are constant, with birds, butterflies, and bees drawn to the flowers throughout the growing season.
Surrounding the home and cidery buildings are 173 acres of pasture, woods, and gardens that reflect the property’s long history. Heritage plantings—including mock orange, lilac, and
a variety of ground covers—anchor the landscape and blend naturally with newer additions. Color and texture are present year-round, offering interest in every season.
Take a walk up the hill for a stunning panoramic view, which—if you know where to look—can also be seen from the Cove Overlook Rest Area. Although the Yoders have lived on the farm for more than 30 years where the gardens around the house and barn structures have evolved over several decades, the flower field
itself has been in development for the past eight years. What was once a cow pasture has gradually been transformed into a productive and expressive garden space.
The land has presented its share of challenges. Rocks are abundant, the terrain is sloped, and wind and heat have influenced plant selection and placement. In response, trees and taller flowering shrubs have been added to provide windbreaks and shade. Over time, the field is gradually taking on an arboretum-like character, with hydrangeas, smoke bush, white birch, and berry-producing shrubs planted to support birds and wildlife. Favorite plants include peonies, eucalyptus, sage, hydrangeas, smoke bush, lavender, iris,
and a wide mix of annuals and perennials and a large willow patch, containing ten varieties, including curly willow, which is also used to create handmade trellises within the flower field.
The hardscape reflects the agricultural roots of the land. A wooden fence that once contained cattle now frames the flower field. Stone walls, patios, and garden borders near the house were constructed using rocks collected from the farm itself. Repurposing is an
underlying theme, and visitors will notice Trish’s creative touch in the many reclaimed elements throughout the Cidery.
For Trish, favorite moments in the garden include standing among the peony rows when they are in bloom and walking through the garden gate when the field is full of flowers. Around the house, quiet views from the back porch swing and the kitchen window overlook a small creek and surrounding plantings.
The garden draws inspiration from Trish’s mother, Fannie Bender, and from years of hands-on learning, shared plants, clearance finds, and steady experimentation. Developed one plant at a time over three decades, Cove Pastures reflects patience, resourcefulness, and a deep connection between land, family, and flowers—offering visitors a working landscape shaped by long-term care and creativity.
The cidery will be open from 12:00–5:00 p.m., with tastings available during the tour, as well as local musicians performing from 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
At 11:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., and 1:00 p.m., guests can enjoy a themed floral design demonstration inspired by Trish, featuring flowers freshly gathered from her gardens.
For more information visit www.mountainlaurelgardenclub.com
