WELCOME TO A PREVIEW THE 2025 GARDENS
Click here for ticket purchase information.
The last day to purchase tickets online is March 27th. Tickets will be available in the Gardens and at the trolley stop.
Gardens will be open from 10am – 5pm except Airlie Gardens and Rise Up Community Farm, as noted in the description below.
IMPORTANT: Secret Gardens 6 – 8 are accessible via trolley ONLY!
Parking for trolley service to Gardens 6 – 8 is located at Harbor Way Gardens in Wrightsville Beach on Causeway Drive and W. Salisbury Streets
Garden #1
Kenan House
1705 Market Street
Kenan House, part of the Market Street Mansion District, is evidence of the city’s pre-World War I prosperity and reflects the style of a railroad magnate and industrial heiress. Sarah Graham Kenan was a member of the Kenan family who emigrated from Scotland in the 1730’s. Her husband’s unexpected death in the 1920’s encouraged her to return to Wilmington and purchase the house she named Sunnyside. Originally built in 1911 for Thomas Emerson, president of the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad, this 7,500 square foot Neoclassical Revival style brick house has a 30-foot-wide grand portico with Corinthian columns designed by Joseph F. Leitner. When Sarah bought her new home, it needed an upgrade. She added a 2-car garage, a solarium and other conveniences. As part of her renovation project, the White Garden behind Kenan House was established in 1932 using the talents of Charlotte based landscape architect, Earle S. Draper.
Sarah Kenan’s landscape plans, dating back to 1932, are housed in the UNCW Library Archives. At Sarah’s death in 1968 the home was bequeathed to UNC Wilmington and is known today as Kenan House and is the official residence of the Chancellor of the University.
Garden #2
Wise Alumni House
1713 Market Street
The Wise Alumni House is one of the four cornerstones of Wilmington’s historic mansion district. Renowned architect Burett H. Stevens designed the house for Delgado Cotton Mills President Edwin Cameron Holt. The 7,484 square foot home was completed in 1909 and cost $11,000 to build. In 1916, it was sold to heiress and philanthropist Jessie Kenan Wise. Miss Jessie lived there until her death at age 98 in 1968. The home was then deeded to UNC Wilmington to further the school’s charitable and education programs.
Today, the Wise Alumni House remains a beautiful, historic landmark, symbolizing the unity between the past, present and future of UNCW and the Wilmington community.
Garden #3
Happy & Bill Clark
2501 Mimosa Place
Our cherished 1916 Dutch Colonial has undergone a thoughtful transformation, ushering it into the modern era. With clean, low-maintenance design, this historic classic now radiates a timeless elegance. As we cultivated our dream garden, we envisioned a versatile outdoor oasis. From kid-friendly play areas to festive gatherings, this space adapts to our every need. Functionality and aesthetic seamlessly blend, creating a true sanctuary.
Strategically implemented changes have elevated the property’s curb appeal.
Relocating the azaleas has opened the front garden, allowing the magnificent Live Oak to take center stage. Carefully placed night lighting adds a transformative touch. Our landscaping decisions were guided by a circular exploration of the space. The driveway now boasts ample parking and a thriving rose garden. In the backyard, a lush lawn frames the 1916- built porch, while Japanese Snowbell tree and fragrant blooms set the scene for relaxation and entertainment.
Garden #4
Jane & Tom Maloy
2521 Mimosa Place
Nestled within the charming embrace of an English Tudor style home lies a captivating garden dating back to 1931. The garden, a harmonious blend of diverse influences, has evolved over the years under the creative stewardship of the current residents.
At the heart of this serene oasis are the lush boxwoods creating a sense of tranquility and elegance. The garden serves as a sanctuary, where relaxation and casual entertaining intertwine with the joy of gardening.
Interspersed amongst the verdant landscape are the vibrant hues of Japanese persimmons, kumquats, Meyer lemons, and limes, adding a touch of exotic allure to the already enchanting setting. The inclusion of herbs and edibles where you would least expect them adds to the exceptional uniqueness of this garden. The wraparound driveway and meandering stone pathways add to the overall appeal, inviting visitors to step into this world of natural beauty and refined living.
Garden #5
Airlie Gardens
300 Airlie Road
Open Saturday and Sunday ONLY
Airlie Garden has a rich history dating back to 1884 when Pembroke and Sarah Jones acquired the property and transformed it into a picturesque garden, naming it after Pembroke’s ancestral home in Scotland. In 1999, with the support of residents and funding from the county and a state trust, New Hanover County was able to purchase and restore the 67-acre garden. Today, it is a stunning example of southern horticulture, featuring hundreds of heritage plants and trees, thousands of azaleas, and the historic Airlie Oak that dates back to 1545. The garden’s freshwater lakes also attract a diverse array of waterfowl and other bird species, making it a premier birdwatching destination. Beyond its natural beauty, Airlie Garden is home to several unique features, including the Minnie Evans Sculpture Garden and a seasonal butterfly house. Visitors can also explore the historic Lebanon Chapel and uncover the mystery of an 18th-century burial site on the grounds. The garden’s picturesque scenery and film-friendly locations have made it a popular backdrop for movies and television shows over the years, contributing to its widespread appeal. With special events and self-guided birding tours, Airlie Garden offers visitors a multifaceted and engaging experience in a truly enchanting setting.
Garden #6
Secret Garden
In 2022 the owner secured possession of this stunning home, which boasts an array of well-matured plants and trees, including azaleas, 
camellias, Japanese maples, and stately live oaks. Each garden has its own distinctive character, and in this case, the towering trees take center stage, almost resembling a meticulously planned chessboard, with the majestic live oak at the rear, standing guard over the other trees like a queen protecting her king.
This garden exudes a serene, Zen-like ambiance, and the owner takes immense pleasure in sitting back, gazing upon and soaking in the tranquil surroundings. The soothing melodies of birdsong and the gentle hum of buzzing bees add to the enchanting atmosphere. The thoughtful layout invites one to stroll through and fully immerse oneself in the entirety of the space. Overall, this is a harmonious, well-established garden that is customized to suit the owner’s own refined taste, creating a truly enchanting and restorative oasis.
Garden #7
Secret Garden
A visual symphony is created by this home by incorporating the beauty that surrounds it. Pockets of color are interwoven throughout the landscape including cool whites, soothing blues, delicate pinks, and hints of sunny yellow. It’s a vibrant tapestry of blooms – flowers for cutting, roses that climb and travel, azaleas that usher in spring, a majestic live oak and camellias that brighten even the darkest winter days. The stones nestled in the grass evoke the timeless charm of an old Charleston Garden, while the boxwood hedges lend an unmistakable English flair.
This home is a testament to timeless southern charm with old brick and mortar, a winding staircase leading to the entrance, airy breezeways, a sparkling pool with a loggia and cooling upper-level porches. The original herringbone brick patio was preserved, which now provides a shaded respite where the natural splendor of the marsh and waterway can be admired. A member of the National Wildlife Federation.
Garden #8
Secret Garden
This charming garden along the intracoastal waterway welcomes visitors with a lovely, relaxed landscape. Colorful azaleas, camellias, hydrangeas, palms, live oaks, vibrant roses, perennials, and annuals create a delightful, whimsical atmosphere, almost like a fairy garden nestled among the trees. The garden attracts cherished pollinators with its pockets of perennial and annual blooms. Tall hedges and trees including hollies, wax myrtles, and ligustrum provide cozy nesting spots for birds.
The home’s natural cedar siding and brick foundation give it a warm, woodsy feel that blends beautifully with the coastal setting. The garden style is a harmonious mix of formal elements, including the four topiary ligustrum and boxwood diamond in the front, paired with more natural features like the Indica azaleas and wistful touches of cast iron plants and other perennials. The magnificent oaks, along with the moss-covered wild cherry trees, are personal favorite parts of the garden. A Member of the National Wildlife Federation.
Garden #9
Rise Up Community Farm
4702 South College Road
Friday and Saturday 10pm – 5pm
Sunday 1pm – 5pm ONLY
Rise Up Community Farm is a small 1-acre farm that grows a diverse range of vegetables, herbs, flowers, and fruit. They work with volunteers to cultivate the land, providing nourishment to neighbors facing food insecurity while also educating and empowering local youth and adults. As a working vegetable farm, their crop design prioritizes function, utilizing regenerative methods like crop rotation, cover crops, and companion planting to maintain healthy, disease and pest-resistant soil. A dedicated team of volunteers ensures the farm is well-maintained. Their farming style is quirky and whimsical, with a focus on incorporating the artwork and creativity of the children they work with. As a community resource, they strive to make their growing area as welcoming and joyful as possible, inviting people in to learn about cooking and gardening. Rise Up donates over half of their produce to the community, believing that everyone deserves access to healthy, fresh foods. A member of the National Wildlife Federation.
Garden #10
Dr. Eric and Tracey Schmidt
4150 Donnelly Lane
Tracey and Eric Schmidt’s garden provides a burst of coastal southern charm. Situated along Whiskey Creek, they have created an environment that embraces native plants, fostering a southern coastal ambiance where birds, butterflies, and squirrels can freely feed. They love spending time on their back porch, entertaining with the doors open, inviting everyone to enjoy the beauty of their perennial gardens and the adjacent marsh. The landscape features a lovely blend of hydrangeas, palmetto minors, a variety of perennials, and the lush greenery of papyrus, horsetails, ginger lilies, and Mexican petunias. Tracey herself designed this vibrant and nature-friendly garden, resulting in a stunning display of color that supports the thriving ecosystems of the surrounding habitats.