21st Annual Tour of Gardens A Great Success!

The 21st Annual Tour of Gardens held on May 16 was a great success! The private gardens were beautiful, the weather just right and patrons congenial. It couldn’t have been done without our generous sponsors, Maclay Gardens State Park staff, many volunteers lead by a super committee of the Friends of Maclay Gardens, and of course the wonderful folks who lent their gardens for the day!

21st Annual Tour of GardensThe day started with a continental breakfast on the lawn of the Visitor Center at Maclay Gardens. Pastries, fruit, bagels and Krispy Kreme donuts as well as plenty of Starbucks coffee and juice greeted the tour-goers on a sunny, cool morning. Silent auction items with garden themes were on display as guests came in. As soon as the programs with directions to the private gardens were handed out the crowd dispersed to follow their own paths to some of the finest gardens in Tallahassee.

The Friends of Maclay Gardens want to thank their Presenting Partner, AAA Auto Group of Tallahassee for their continuing support. Camellia Partners include Bartlett Tree Experts, Dale Earnhardt Jr. GMC Cadillac, Starbucks, Tallahassee Nurseries, Whole Foods, and Wild Birds Unlimited. Magnolia Partners were Esposito Lawn and Garden Center, MasterGranite, Native Nurseries, Purple Martin Outpost and Tallahassee Democrat.

Azalea Partners include Capitol Eurocars, Centennial Bank, Florida Farm Bureau, Stewart’s Pharmacy, The Tomato Café and Tea Room, and Thomas Howell Ferguson P. A. CPAs.

Others who contributed with special gifts or services were: Carlstedt Wholesale Florist, Killearn Homes Association, Sam Hand, Claudia Montany, Melissa Raulston, Gil Ziffer, and Scott and Jeannene Kennedy.

A special thanks goes out to the patrons who buy tickets every year to attend the Tour of Gardens! They are gardeners and lovers of the beauty of gardens. They come to get new ideas for their gardens, backyards, pool sides or just a few pots on the deck. Many are Master Gardeners who help as docents at the private gardens to answer questions or give directions.

The Tour of Gardens is an annual fundraising event that benefits the Friends of Maclay Gardens who are dedicated in their mission to support, protect and preserve Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park.

[flagallery gid=14]