The Cape Fear Garden Club Azalea Garden Tour© presents “GARDENING: A PERSONAL EXPERIENCE.” The 67th annual Azalea Garden Tour, sponsored by the Cape Fear Garden Club (CFGC), will take place April 3-5, 2020 in Wilmington, North Carolina. Tickets are limited and the public is encouraged to purchase them in advance at https://azaleagardentour.org or at local vendors listed below starting in February.
The garden tour officially opens at 10:00 am Friday, April 3rd with the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, presenting the CFGC, Inc. Azalea Belles© accompanied by the Citadel Summerall Guard, and featuring musical entertainment. Guests will include the North Carolina Azalea Festival Queen, her court and the Azalea Festival celebrities and entourage. After the ceremony and before embarking on their tour, visitors will enjoy homemade cookies and lemonade at the Queen’s Garden Party. Access to the Ribbon Cutting is by bus only (from Hugh MacRae Park).
The tour includes 10 private gardens throughout the city, as well as Lebanon Chapel at Airlie Gardens (open Saturday and Sunday only) and Harbor Way Gardens located at Wrightsville Beach. Two “secret gardens” will be accessible only by bus (from Bradley Creek School on Saturday & Sunday). One of these gardens is a certified Natural Wildlife Habitat.
Numerous plein air artists will be painting in the gardens during the weekend and a “wet paint sale” will take place at Harbor Way Gardens on Sunday, April 5th from 1:00-4:00 pm.
This year’s chairperson is Sandy Cyphers, a native of Bladenboro, North Carolina and a resident of Wilmington for 45 years. Sandy has been an active member of the Cape Fear Garden Club and proudly involved with the Azalea Festival for 38 years.
First held in 1953, The Azalea Garden Tour has been a Wilmington tradition for 67 years. Our Cape Fear Garden Club Inc. Azalea Belles© are a widely recognized symbol of our city’s hospitality during the annual North Carolina Azalea Festival. The Tour is organized and run by the volunteer efforts of the CFGC and its more than 350 members.
Proceeds from the Garden Tour go back to the community in the form of grants to non-profit organizations in New Hanover County for beautification, conservation, and educational projects. Funding from the Tour also supports the North Carolina Audubon Society work on Battery Island bird sanctuary and endowed scholarships to UNCW and CFCC.
Tickets are limited and may be purchased early online at https://azaleagardentour.org, or at local ticket sellers starting in February for $35 each. A complete list of vendors will be available on the website. Children under 12 are admitted free with an accompanying adult. Find the Cape Fear Garden Club on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CapeFearGardenClub. For additional information and photos of the 2020 gardens, please contact Nina Brown at azaleagardentour2020@gmail.com.
PURCHASE TICKETS EARLY AT THESE LOCATIONS:
A Proper Garden – 2 Ann Street – 910-763-7177
Azalea Festival Ticket Office – 5725 Oleander Drive, Suite B-7 – 910-794-4650
Barnes & Nobles – 850 Inspirations Drive, Mayfaire
Beautiful Flowers by June – 250 Racine Drive, Suite 10, Racine Commons
Cape Fear Jewelry & Antiques – 4017 Oleander Drive Suite E1 762-1310
Crabby Chic – 4107-B Oleander Drive
Craft Hardware – 7002 Wrightsville Avenue
dragonflies – 4106 Oleander Drive – 910-796-9997
Farmer’s Supply – 2025 Oleander Drive – 910-763-4664
Jeanne’s Jewels & Fashions Etc. – 1009 North Lake Park Boulevard, Carolina Beach
New Hanover County Arboretum – 6206 Oleander Drive – 910-798-7660
Occasions….Just Write – 313 North Front Street, The Cotton Exchange – 910-343-9033
Pender Pines Garden Center – 20949 US Hwy 17, Hampstead – 910-270-2706
Stone Garden – 5726 Market Street – 910-452-1619
Sweet Nectar’s Florist – 473 Olde Waterford Way, Leland – 910-371-2224
The Transplanted Garden – 502 S. 16th Street – 910-763-7448
Wild Bird & Garden – 3501 Oleander Drive, Hanover Center – 910-343-6001
Wrigglesworth Ace Hardware – 3516 South College Road – 910-395-1904
