2009 Azalea Garden Tour Preview

The 57th Annual Azalea Garden Tour
April 9-11, 2010 in Wilmington, NC

Garden Announcement & Special Preview

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(1) Kyle McIntyre
(Ribbon Cutting)

Creeping fig outlines the base of the columns and ornamental Ligustrum in pots cut into spirals decorate the formal entry of this beautiful home that is our ribbon cutting garden. Mature azaleas greet you as you pass through the garden gate to the back yard. Here, you encounter a small reflecting pool planted with cattails (Typha latifolia), horsetail (Equisetum hyernale), and water lily edged with liriope. A beautiful vignette was created by placing the house, pool, and antique fountain on an axis. The entrance to the pool is guarded by giant sago palms (Cycas revoluta) in pots. This lovely back garden is adorned with mature specimens of Hydrangea, Fatsia, Japanese holly fern, and azaleas shaded by Sabal palmetto. Camellia japonica, Nandina, Magnolia, and Loquat round out the abundance of plant material. A dramatic sight is the brick wall planted with Carolina jasmine (Gelsemium sempervirens) trained in a diamond pattern.

Two magnificent oaks with wide spreading branches grace the front of this home. The owners have had great success in underplanting these trees with Aspidistra, Japanese holly fern, and mondo grass. Bordering the front and back of the house are Pittosprum tobira, Aucuba, holly, boxwood, Mahonia, Ginger, Camellia sasanqua and japonica. Finishing the borders are Indian hawthorne (Rhapiolepsis) and arborvitae. The courtyard in the rear of the home is beautifully landscaped with golden creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’), Daphne odora ‘Aureomarginata’, Hellebore, and Loquat. At the back of this spacious yard you will see arborvitae, Loropetalum, Leyland cypress, Podocarpus, Chindo viburnum, and Nandina.

(2) Bryan & Carol Anne Durham

(3) Jon & Michelle Carne

This garden was planted many years ago and is being renovated by the new owners. Enjoy the mature specimens of Mimosa trees, Formosa Azaleas, Camellia sasanqua and japonica, Nandina, Bald cypress (Taxodium distichum), Aspidistra elatior both green and variegated with a Fig Tree overlooking it all. Now we come to the paradise for the young and the young at heart. Captain Jack Sparrows Black Pearl (tree house) sails the seas accessed by a zip wire from Davey Jone’s Locker (platform in tree), A Yoshino cherry tree and large Formosa Azaleas, which include many ‘George Tabor’ cultivars finish the scene. In the front of the home lies a secret garden with two fountains and towering magnolias; the ages can only be guessed.

Built in 1859, this house/museum is an outstanding example of antebellum architecture. Walk the crushed oyster shell paths to view the formal gardens in front of the home planted with Carissa holly, Japanese maple (Acer palmatum ‘Tamukeyama’), Ligustrum, and Crepe myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica ‘Potomac’). In front of the towering columned veranda is Burford holly and Pyracantha. There you will also see Oleander, Lady Banks rose and Mediterranean fan palm (Chamaerops humilis). Along with ancient magnolias you will encounter Crinum, Reeve’s Spirea, Formosa Azalea ‘George Tabor’, Lenten rose (Hellebore), Podocarpus, Fig, and Loropetalum as you complete the tour of this site. This is a Cape Fear Garden Club grant recipient.

(4) Bellamy Mansion

(5) Richard & Marcia Moore
(Graystone Inn)

Now a Bed and Breakfast, this neo-classical revival was built in 1905. Lining the street and the walkway to the entrance are large Crepe myrtles. An antique urn filled with color and surrounded with plantings greets you at the entrance. Boxwood edged beds filled with ivy, liriope, and seasonal color frame the front. Large sago palms (Cycas revoluta) are planted at the corners of the entrance walkway. The side veranda is decorated with beautiful hanging baskets which look down on a courtyard with lovely seating areas. Pots of colorful annuals and perennials fill the spaces with their beauty.

The Latimers built this house in 1858 and were the only family to live there. In 1963 the family sold their home to The Lower Cape Fear Historical Society. A most unusual plant, anise tree (Illicium parviflorum), is grown at the end of the front porch. The beds at the front and sides of the home boast Pittosporum, Hydrangea, Camellia, Cleyera, Cherry laurel, Abelia, and a most unusual banana shrub (Michelia figo). In the back garden are roses, a perennial border edged with liriope, Akebia vine, Confederate jasmine, Clematis, and Aucuba. A Japanese maple centers a circular brick patio. Holding court over all at the very back of the yard is a majestic award winning Ginkgo biloba. This is a Cape Fear Garden Club grant recipient.

(6) Latimer House

(7) Chuck & Karen Root

Having been described as a Horticulturist or “Plantsmans” garden by the owner, it almost defies words. There are approximately 800 varieties of plants. Beginning in the front of the home and moving to the back you will encounter 16 different maples and many cold hardy palms. Sweeping grass paths showcase the planting beds which spill down hills and wind through trees. Combinations of trees, shrubs, bulbs, annuals and perennials explode in abundance. There are 5 different water gardens, including a waterfall and stream. Designed and maintained by the owners, there are multiple seating areas to enjoy the beauty. The owners’ goal is to have something blooming every month of the year.

A formal entry garden with a stone path, edged in boxwood and centered with a fountain greet you at this home. With Crepe myrtles in the side yard and ferns planted in urns at the front door, the stone path leads right and left. To the left of the front door is a lovely bench with ivy both underneath and on the wall behind. The side garden showcases a beautiful veranda and steps that lead to a pool and an outdoor kitchen and dining room which is decorated with mondo grass and Creeping fig on the adjacent wall. A Butia palm is used as an anchor in the pool planting bed which is complete with two waterfalls. In the area around the pool is a large Loquat under planted with Fatsia and Hydrangea. A Camellia stands next to this grouping with Aspidistra and more Hydrangeas. Formal stone squares outlined with mondo grass lead to the back yard soccer field which is edged in boxwood. Separating the back and side areas are raised beds filled with roses, Japanese maple, Fatsia, and more mondo grass.

(8) Monika & Richard Williams

(9) Charles & June Sweeny

This replica of a beach cottage that stood on the property for 150 years reflects plantings of the period of the house. Plantings include Indian hawthorne (Raphiolepsis indica), Fatsia, wax myrtle, Formosa Azaleas, Hydrangea, Japanese maple, Sabal palmetto, and ancient oaks. As you walk to the back you will see Podocarpus and Fatshedera on a trellis. Now you will see the crowning glory of this garden. A Water oak estimated to be over 300 years old with size and beauty it almost stops your eyes from returning to the plants beneath. Here you will see Aucuba, holly, Mahonia, Hydrangea, Fatsia, liriope, and variegated Pittosporum. A path made of stone integrated with mondo grass leads to the pool area. Large Sabal palmettos anchor the spa. Camellias underplanted with variegated Aspidistra along the fence finish the scene. Across the road with a view of the inland waterway are more beautiful oaks. Strung between two is a hammock waiting for an occupant to snooze away a Sunday afternoon.

A low country beach cottage, this home is beautifully situated on the inland waterway. The front lawn has sweeping lines of liriope backed by Crepe myrtles, azaleas, Oakleaf hydrangeas, and Pittosporum along both sides of the fence. Surrounding the house are hedges of Ligustrum and Loropetalum with Sabal palmetto and sago palms. The back garden is showcased by a beautiful Arbor complete with fountain and comfortable seating area. A swing is placed along the side wall between ‘Emerald Green’ arborvitae. Plantings include a specimen dogwood, backed by Nandina and Camellia. Gardenia flanks the steps to better enjoy their fragrance. Shrub borders edged with mondo grass are filled with holly, barberry, Abelia, Oakleaf hydrangea, Witchhazel, Aucuba, Pittosporum, and two beautiful variegated Gardenias frame the yard. The garden continues across the street to the dock and water with low maintenance plantings of roses, grasses, Wax myrtle, and Ligustrum.

(10) Terry & Steve Clark

(11) Airlie Gardens
(Saturday Only)

Established in 1901, Airlie Gardens continues to amaze visitors with its breathtaking combination of formal gardens, wildlife, historic structures, walking trails, sculptures, views of Bradley Creek, 10 acres of freshwater lakes, and the grandeur of the 462-year-old oak. Boasting a collection of over 100,000 azaleas and countless camellia cultivars and with an array of annuals, there is continuous color year-round. This is a Cape Fear Garden Club grant recipient.

The combination of Butterfly, Woodland, Fragrance, Rose, Healing, and White Gardens soothe the soul and inspires tranquility and reflection. The stream and pond wind through the plantings of the gardens. Benches are strategically placed for seating with the calming murmur of water in the background. The ‘ Safe Passages Garden ’ is at the heart of this space with a turtle sculpture supporting the Tree of Life displayed in a raised fountain. Unusual Japanese maples, Green Giant arborvitae, Magnolias, ferns, Hydrangea, Camellia, Gardenia, and many more perennials, shrubs and trees make this garden a place of peace. This is a Cape Fear Garden Club grant recipient.

(12) Lower Cape Fear Hospice Garden
(Sunday Only)