15th Annual Connoisseurs Garden Tour May 11

Karen's Garden

(PRESS RELEASE)_(West Palm Beach, FL – April 24, 2019) Friends of the Mounts Botanical Garden today announced that it would be hosting the 15th annual Connoisseurs Garden Tour on Saturday, May 11 – the day before Mother’s Day. This year’s Tour is presented by Art By Nature Garden Center in Palm Beach Gardens.

From 9 am to 5 pm on May 11, participants can visit seven extraordinary gardens: two in Palm Beach and one each in Atlantis, Delray Beach, Lake Clarke Shores, Lake Worth, and West Palm Beach.

“What is unique about our annual Connoisseurs Garden Tour is that guests can visit the gardens at their own pace and sequence on that Saturday,” says Rochelle Wolberg, Curator-Director at Mounts Botanical Garden, Palm Beach County’s oldest and largest public garden.

The seven gardens on this year’s Connoisseur Tour include:

Polly’s Garden
231 Chilean Avenue, Palm Beach
“Walled Treasure”

Blue accents including pots, doors, and artfully used lattice work unite this lovely small walled garden. A study in how to use plants on vertical surfaces, bromeliads and orchids cover the surfaces of walls, trees and even driftwood in pots. While a first impression will be of the expansive colorful collection of orchids, visitors should look around as there are many rare bromeliads, begonias and other unusual small tropical plants. The variety and use of plant material reflects the owner’s horticultural passion.

Note: Walk to Pan’s Garden from here.

Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach – Pan’s Garden
311 Peruvian Avenue, Palm Beach
“Native Inspiration”

Gardens are never “finished”, and that is certainly true of Pan’s Garden, a private garden open to the public, owned by the Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach. Approaching its 25th Anniversary, Pan’s has undergone a facelift; now it’s truly a native garden accessed by lovely new brick walks. The hill has been opened and features a charming old bench under the oak and a bird bath from Mounts’ Vintage Shop. Plus, a butterfly walk has been added to the sunny south end. 

Bill’s Garden
717 Avon Road, West Palm Beach
“Horticulture Delight”

The owner has created this lovely garden surrounding the 1925 house in only five years. Enter the exquisitely maintained back garden and the fast-paced world just stops. There are many carefully selected horticultural wonders, but the overall effect is one of natural beauty, shade, and peace — a tropical paradise. Meander through the garden surrounding the pool on pathways edged with palms and tropical greenery; then sit on one of the small porches filled with flowering orchids and experience the garden’s full beauty and variety.

Kathy’s Garden
7635 W. Lake Drive, Lake Clarke Shores
TERRACED JEWEL

The terraced back yard, nestled between the house and canal and surrounding a fire pit, is filled with surprises from spectacular roses to a huge tibouchina in pots. It features lovely collections of succulents, orchids and tillandsias as well as a specimen Tahitian gardenia, giant milkweed and old man palm. The owner created the garden to draw butterflies and birds and their colors and sounds add to the delightful garden setting. 

Note: Do not park in the vacant lot across the street. Park on north side of Langford Drive.

Adam’s Garden
207 Palm Way, Lake Worth
“Vintage Americana”

Enter this 1931 cottage which has many of its original features and is full of Americana and folk-art items, and then suddenly get the first view of the back garden. The easily maintained small garden area includes a garage (peek in and see the 1933 Ford hot rod that the owner still races) a vintage summer kitchen, a waterfall flowing into the large koi pond, a swimming pool, and palms full of orchids.  Reclaimed materials and repurposed items are used throughout.  This is an unusual garden that showcases its owner’s interests.   

Randy and Maura’s Garden
322 Yorktowne Circle, Atlantis
“Fruitful Surprises”

This hedged garden on a corner lot feels secluded and much larger than it is. Arbors and three seating areas divide the garden into different rooms, but all encourage visitors to sit and enjoy the peace and dappled sun light created by a large sapodilla tree. As guests walk toward the side of the house, they will see a delightful change.  Sunlight fills the area and fruit, herbs and vegetables abound. People will see lemon and Florida peach trees, blueberries, eggplant, and cucumbers amongst others — this is a garden to fill any gourmand with delight.

Karen’s Garden
501 NW 8th Avenue, Delray Beach
“Colorful Palette”

A large, colorful butterfly garden greets visitors and the wide variety of brightly blooming plants draw butterflies, bees, caterpillars, and birds to the area. All the gardens here are organic, including the roses with a drip irrigation system. A small shady terrace beckons visitors to sit a while and enjoy the sound of the fountains (notice the one made with driftwood). While winding their way around the many small gardens, guests will notice how orchids have been woven in the banyan roots.

Note: Parking is across the street on an empty lot.

How to Get Tickets for the Connoisseurs Garden Tour:

The cost to participate in the annual Connoisseurs Garden Tour is only $25 for Mounts members and $35 for nonmembers.  Children 12 and under are free.

Tickets may be purchased at the Garden Shop at Mounts Botanical Garden or online via www.mounts.org/events.  They are also available at Art By Nature Garden Center and Green Garden Supply in Palm Beach Gardens, Amelia’s Smarty Plants in Lake Worth, Delray Beach Garden Center and Johnny Mango’s Produce in Delray Beach, and Giverny Gardens in Jupiter.

For more information, please call 561.233.1757 or visit www.mounts.org.   

Special Mother’s Day Bonus
Anyone with a ticket for Saturday’s Connoisseurs Garden Tour can enjoy the beauty of Mounts Botanical Garden with free admission from 10 am to 4 pm on Mother’s Day. (This offer is good for that Sunday only.)