For Marlaina Mauldin and her family, Hidden Gardens Nursery & Tea Houses Nursery & Tea House holds a special place in their hearts. It’s not only a business but also a legacy of love, creativity and community, growing stronger with every cup of tea they serve.

Founded in October 2002 by Mauldin’s parents, Nikki and Terry Dunford, in a quiet corner of Bullard, what started as a Hidden Gardens Nursery & Tea House has blossomed into a beloved destination, drawing regulars from near and far.

Today, visitors can enjoy lunch and flavored teas before strolling through the on-site garden. The tea house has grown beyond its beginnings as a simple garden center with a gift shop. Nearly 23 years later, it stands as a full-fledged restaurant.

“When my grandma started all this, I didn’t know the future that it really had,” said Kaytlyn Jaco, social media manager and chef. “Getting to work with your mom and your siblings and coming up with ideas together, and then watching this business flourish the way that it has is special.”

When she was just 5, Jaco, Mauldin’s daughter, has fond memories of her little feet scampering across the wooden floors of the tea house back when it was just starting out. It’s a world away from the lively kitchen we see now, bursting with activity. Despite the growth, the owners have stayed true to the original vision that started it all.

A Christ-centered business from the start, Hidden Gardens Nursery & Tea Houses Nursery and Tea House was dedicated to the Lord when it first opened and continues to honor that commitment. This faith-driven foundation includes a no-alcohol policy, standing firm in their values, even when the thought of adding mimosas to the menu might be tempting.

After years of waiting tables, Mauldin officially took over ownership last year. She now works alongside her children, who may one day choose to continue the family tradition.

“They get to be a part of, you know, my growing up,” Mauldin said about her children. “They’ve been eating the same broccoli cheese recipe since they first started eating with a spoon.”

As the business grew, so did its offerings. It’s now a restaurant, gift shop, garden center and community hub offering interactive experiences. After a recent remodel, the space offers even more for visitors to explore.

“There’s not many places where you can be in nature after you have lunch. You usually get in your car and leave. So I think it’s a nice, peaceful place,” Mauldin said. “I plan on, in the future, putting some seating around in different areas and making a shade garden or a sun garden.”

In addition to its menu of soups, salads, desserts and tea, the business hosts hands-on classes like mosaic-making and sourdough baking. With future plans for pottery and other creative offerings, Mauldin continues to nurture the family legacy while bringing new ideas to life.

Hidden Gardens Nursery & Tea House and Tea House plans to expand its event offerings, including hosting intimate weddings, baby showers and themed tea parties. The venue aims to continue growing its community presence and create more memorable experiences for guests of all ages.

A refrigerator stocked with ready-made meals and special orders makes it a convenient stop for locals. Hidden Gardens Nursery & Tea House and Tea House offers whole cakes and pies upon request, especially during holidays like Thanksgiving. During this busy season, the team works long hours, often into the night, fulfilling numerous orders for their beloved baked goods.

“A lot of the recipes came from my grandmother, who worked here as well. So it’s really family oriented,” Mauldin said. “My mom and dad, me, most of all of my kids have worked here.”

The kitchen blends tradition with creativity. While it continues to honor Mauldin’s grandmother and mother’s beloved recipes, it also leaves room for new ideas. The menu offers both classic favorites and exciting new dishes, creating a space where creativity thrives.

At Hidden Gardens Nursery & Tea House and Tea House, everything is made from scratch — soups, casseroles, desserts, and, of course, the freshly brewed teas.

The kitchen operates on tight timing, with prep work often still going on when the tea house opens. “Time is your biggest enemy in the morning,” Jaco shared. “When we open, we’re probably not even done prepping yet. We have to hurry; it’s 11 o’clock.”

Even with the rush, the team remains dedicated to making everything from scratch, bringing a touch of Southern comfort to every meal. “We want to make everything as homey and home-cooked as possible,” Jaco explained, “Because we take a lot of pride in all of our stuff.”

The Hidden Gardens Nursery & Tea House and Tea House has a charming and serene atmosphere that just makes you feel at ease. Guests enjoy a comforting meal in the tea room before stepping out into the garden, complete with a calming waterfall and soon-to-come butterflies and hummingbirds.

It’s a space where nature and tranquility come together, offering a perfect escape where simple joys, like a warm cup of tea, blend with the beauty of the garden.

When people think of Hidden Gardens Nursery & Tea House and Tea House, they might picture a quaint tea house where “ladies with their big hats” would gather.

That image still holds true. “We do have that,” Mauldin said, referring to groups like the Red Hatters. “We also have a lot of church groups that come in, and everyone comes from everywhere.” Some guests even travel from Dallas to visit.

“We have a lot of people who, as soon as you walk in, they become family,” Jaco said. “There are people who come in multiple times a week, so when we see their car pull up, we already have their drinks on the table. We know what they want to order. We watch their kids grow up.”

Jaco manages the business’s social media, helping it reach more people.

“I took it over last year, and I think we had around 2,400 followers back in 2024. Just about a year ago,” Jaco said. “So, I jumped in and started posting every day. That really helped us out. Now, just a year later, we have about 7,600 followers.”

The most rewarding part for Mauldin is seeing the growth of Hidden Gardens Nursery & Tea House and Tea House over the years. “From my mom starting with a little crockpot of soup and maybe two or three tables, to now I’m making steam-table vats of soup,” she said.

Even small details have grown, like the glasses cabinet, which has tripled in size. “Seeing how much it’s grown and how much recognition we get now. No one knew who we were just a few years ago,” Mauldin added. “It’s just little things like that.”

In 2003, Mauldin’s parents won Business of the Year. In 2024, Mauldin herself won the same recognition and held a ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Bullard Chamber of Commerce.

“It was kind of bittersweet that I’m kind of following in my parents footsteps, because, of course, I want to make them proud, but I wouldn’t be able to do this if it wasn’t for them,” Mauldin said.

Hidden Gardens Nursery & Tea Houses Nursery & Tea House is located at 967 FM 2493 in Bullard. Regular hours are 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Keep up with them on their Facebook page “Hidden Gardens Nursery & Tea Houses Nursery & Tea House.” Call 903-894-4040 for more information.