- November 2, 2024
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Sarasota is home to a variety of eclectic estates and houses.
Neighborhoods serve as architectural quilts of sorts with patches of midcentury modern structures, such as the iconic Lido Shores Umbrella House designed by Paul Rudolph and Sarasota’s jewel of the bay, Ca’d’Zan, which was John Ringling’s winter home.
Although these are among the most famous homes in Sarasota, the community is home to many lesser-known stylish homes that are framed by lush, manicured gardens.
The Sarasota Garden Club has put together a lineup of homes in various neighborhoods featuring unique homes with complementary landscapes for the third annual Gardens in Paradise tour.
This year’s tour includes stops at five homes plus the Sarasota Garden Club. This Saturday, the public is invited to take a peek behind the gates and trimmed pathways of these homes to see how their owners have created paradise in their own backyards.
Here’s a glimpse of what awaits tour participants:
While many gardens focus on the ground, the home at 6607 Peacock Road takes its garden to another level by emphasizing the plants above and trees.
Palms on this property sport “beards” or “petticoats,” which consist of palm fronds that have died and still cling to the tree, creating a coat around the trunk. Beards on trees also help support wildlife in the area.
There is plenty of space worked into the design of the garden that gives plants room to grow. On the other side of the property, large trees frame the view of the bay.
This property has also worked a vegetable and herb garden into the scenery.
The iron gate that guards this home holds personal history for the homeowner. It hails from the Pittsburgh residence of the homeowner’s great-grandfather.
Once inside the gate, you can follow a path through flowering bushes and plants up to a dock that extends the living area of the home into the outdoors. At the end of the path, you will be greeted by a lagoon surrounded by laurel oaks, leatherneck ferns and bromeliads.
Other notable trees include cinnamon camphor trees, sweet gum, American elms and winged elms.
A small lake on the property has been dubbed “Peter’s Pond” to honor the Mallard duck, nicknamed Peter, who inhabited the lake when the owners first arrived.
Prepare to be immersed in a tropical oasis with this property’s landscape. Palm trees structure the landscape that surrounds this modern Siesta Key home.
As you drive up the path, an incline with gardens along the border surrounds a circular garden. This landscape incorporates large rocks for added contrast with the softer plants.
At the home’s entrance stands a modern sculpture to greet guests. Before you enter, turn around and glance down the driveway for an overall view of the landscape.
This charming home has a historic designation from the city. An iron gate opens to a path with bordering gardens and a fragrant jasmine vine wrapped around the chimney. Bougainvillea vines drape over two metal window canopies and add color to the home.
Orchid fans will be impressed by the plants affixed to tree trunks, as well as the homeowner’s orchid house. This property also includes arches formed with eugenia plants on either ends of the pool.
Fans of Mediterranean-inspired homes will delight in this property. Four Canary Island palms stand symmetrically at the gate of this house on Harbor Drive.
Behind an iron gate is an Italian marble fountain in the center of a courtyard. The bright gardens complement the warm tones and stone work on the home’s exterior.
Follow a blue and white sidewalk down the side of the house to access more greenery, and discover an Italian mosaic infinity pool surrounded by flowers in planters. Rose bushes cascade and accent bronze fish statues around the pool.
What would the Gardens in Paradise Tour be without the Sarasota Garden Club?
The organization’s clubhouse was built in 1959 in the Sarasota School of Architecture style and is surrounded by gardens maintained by members.
Explore the falling waters garden, the quiet garden, the butterfly garden and more at this bayfront location.
