Garden tour offers escape to paradise

The Sarasota Garden Club invites members and nonmembers to explore five unique, private Sarasota gardens at the club’s inaugural Gardens in Paradise tour Saturday, March 15. Attendees will be able to visit the gardens throughout the day, with homeowners and landscape experts on hand at each location to share gardening tips and the vision behind each garden.

Throughout the day, the Sarasota Garden Clubhouse will be open for tourgoers seeking a a pit stop.

Anyone interested can take a guided tour of the club’s 14 botanical gardens at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the Sarasota Garden Clubhouse, 1131 Blvd. of the Arts. There will be a marketplace with vendors selling garden-related items, complimentary coffee and pastries as well as a raffle and silent auction.

To keep the gardens a surprise, locations will not be announced until Friday, March 14.

Tickets are $30 online and $35 the day of the tour at the Sarasota Garden Club. For information, call 955-0875 or visit gardensinparadise.com.

Garden No. 1
This garden is described as an Old Florida garden located on a bay that once served as a Native American midden. The garden, which is 17 feet above sea level, boasts spectacular views of the bay and the keys beyond. The garden’s owners used exotic colors to highlight the blues of the bay and the green of the heritage trees found throughout the property.

Garden No. 2
Clouds of Elliott’s love grass greet visitors when they enter this garden. The light, airy plant’s soft movement contrasts with this home’s geometric lines. This garden includes pink blossoms, Alexander palms and triangle palms to create a simple yet beautiful composition of patterns.

Garden No. 3
You’ll find Sarasota’s secret garden in this enclosed garden oasis. Thick, tropical vegetation with bright colors and varying textures, including orchids, palms, bamboo and bromeliads, create a hidden treasure near the heart of Sarasota.

Garden No. 4
A winding path throughout this garden, which borders Phillippi Creek, pays tribute to the area’s seafaring heritage. As you enter, a pathway bordered by foxtail palms (above) leads you through a garden gate. Orange reed stem orchids mixed with white, pink, orange, purple and red bougainvilleas (above) form a ground cover that is more than easy on the eyes.

Garden No. 5
The homeowners of this garden let their plants grow organically, which means there are a variety of colorful flowers, aged trees and shady spaces. Colorful bromeliads hang from trees while others create a bed of pinks and reds. Lilies, caladiums and palms shade the shell pathways, while heritage trees provide shade.

Contact Harriet Sokmensuer at [email protected]