TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Garden Tour Offers Ideas

ADVERTISEMENT

By GEORGE H. NEWMAN, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 6, 2007

PLANT CITY - The Plant City Garden Club will hold its 11th annual Garden Tour next week, including six locations in the residential historical district north of downtown.
Private gardens will be featured in the self-guided tour, which will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 13. Tickets are available for a $10 donation, with proceeds benefiting Habitat for Humanity and the Garden Club's scholarship program.

The event attracted more than 200 garden enthusiasts last year, said Teri Eller, first vice president of the club. The locations of the gardens are kept secret except to the ticket holders. The properties are in close proximity to one another. Garden Club officials said the advanced ticket sales are about what they normally see each year.

'Generally we expect to sell about half of the total in advance,' said Darcy Stottlemyer, the club's immediate past president. 'As usual, we have chosen homes in the same geographical area. This year the homes are in two separate clusters. With good weather and a good pair of shoes a walking tour is certainly doable.'

Parking is available at each garden cluster for those who drive.
Home gardens are chosen by the club members in August. The gardens are selected in part from the beautification awards they present monthly during the year.

'During the year we see homes or are told about homes with outstanding gardens,' Stottlemyer said. 'If the homeowners are agreeable, and the area is convenient to visit, we will design the tour in that area.'

Tours have been conducted over the years in a variety of neighborhoods in Plant City, as well as in the countryside areas, she said.

One of the garden locations includes a beautiful historical home with a summer kitchen built in the back yard, adjacent to a swimming pool and eating area. Potted plants, a fountain and garden areas around the pool give an aura found at an exclusive resort, club members said.

Stottlemyer said all of the home gardens are extraordinary and worth viewing.

'Some of the architecture and design is especially beautiful,' Stottlemyer said. 'Often we have people who are looking for design ideas that take these tours. It's certainly worthwhile.'

Many of the gardens show a versatility to accommodate adults looking for comfort and beauty, and adjoining spaces for youthful activities and outdoor games.

'Those on the tour will see lots of color, a diversity of designs and magnificent plants and flowers,' Stottlemyer said. 'We hope to see many people, children and their parents, enjoying this tour.'

The event has received awards the past two years from the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs, Eller said.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Plant City Garden Club's annual Garden Tour

WHEN: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 13

WHERE: Private gardens in residential historic district north of downtown

TICKETS: $10 donation, on sale from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Oct. 13 at Union Station Welcome Center, 102 N. Palmer St. A plant sale will be held there.

INFORMATION: Call club President Cassandra Banning at (813) 759-1638

Reporter George H. Newman can be reached at (813) 865-4451 or gnewman@tampatrib.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT