Tour of Gardens Chair 2023-2024: Michele Farias
Outside Living Garden Tour and Art Show June 2023
Photos by Marion Lapchak, Diane Macrides, Theresa Petersen, Tracy Sprague, Stacey Kliesch and Robin Mustacchio
Six magnificent private gardens were unveiled for the Garden Club of LBI’s Outside Living Garden and Art Show. Pergolas, trellises and arbors sparked and defined the tour. The crowds enjoyed the nature and manicured landscapes to the pathways of beauty.
(Click on galleries below to enlarge)
Loveladies
In Loveladies, soft gray decking brought you to herb gardens, a waterside dining space, all surrounded with the beauty of the bay. The lovely outdoor setting showcased the warmth and quiet life of LBI. A myriad of beautiful plantings surrounded the property.
North Beach
A long winding walkway bedecked with pastel hydrangeas led you to this stunning sight. The inviting pool was enhanced by a pergola patio cover. Aesthetically placed flowers added to the beautiful landscape of the North Beach home.
Bonnet Island Estate
You could almost see Scarlett O’Hara dance across the lawn at the plantation of Bonnet Island Estate. An authentic English Rose Garden was the setting for an elegant tea for two. The entrance door to the New England boathouse chapel was decorated with a dried, curly willow wreath and fresh hydrangeas.
Brant Beach
Pots of dazzling annuals in Brant Beach featured notes by our horticultural chair, Ann Calder on subjects like soil and care that assure success for containers on LBI. Visitors enjoyed some of the homeowner’s own creations like his sailboat bar and hand carved dining table.
Long Beach Township
On to Whaling Lane in Long Beach Township and a garden of hot tomato red umbrellas, cushions and flowers fit for a July 4th celebration. A toasty fire pit for those cool days and nights is positioned for a beautiful view of Barnegat Bay.
Beach Haven
You are warmly welcomed by the beautifully manicured front yard located in Beach Haven. The backyard engulfs you by all the greenery, spacious pool and outdoor living kitchen-bar structure. Brightly colored flowers adorn the cascading stones that surrounds the pool.
Beach Haven Library
The Beach Haven Library Garden was started in 1996 and has been maintained by the Garden Club since that time. Each Monday, from May to November, you’ll find a dedicated group of workers at this garden planning, planting and, yes, even doing the occasional photo op!
Edith Duff Gwinn Garden
The Edith Duff Gwinn Garden, the hidden gem of Long Beach Island, shone brightly during the 2023 Outside Living Garden Tour and Art Sho. It did not disappoint! The tri-color willow bush and tree were the stars of the tour, along with the newly planted red smoke bushes and heucheras. Another new addition to the garden is a dwarf Japanese red maple, along with colorful annuals, brightened up the front of the museum. A new bench circling an old cedar tree on its paver platform adds to the tranquility of the Edith Duff Gwinn Garden.
The garden is an always changing venue that should be visited often to appreciate its beauty.
Pollinator Garden
Our pollinator garden displays beautiful flowers with showy petals in every shape, size and color. The flowers support and maintain the pollinators by supplying food with their nectar and pollen. We’ve created a peaceful area for the pollinators and visitors to enjoy!
Green Elephant Sale
The 2nd Annual Green Elephant Sale was another impressive outcome! Club members and their family and friends donated a wide array of new and gently used “treasures” for home and garden. It was a great way to share what we no longer needed and an excuse for Spring Cleaning without it going to a landfill. Many found the perfect item they didn’t know they couldn’t live without!
The proceeds supports many outreach programs, local environmental organizations, scholarship programs and services through the monies raised by our annual Outside Living Garden Tour & Art Show and Holiday Tour of Homes.
