Lake Eola Heights Garden Tour Recap (Photos)

Absolutely fantastic...this every-other-year (biennial) tour needs to be put on your calendar for 2013 (when it comes again)! The day was punctuated by perfect weather combined with beautiful gems of gardens in the heart of downtown Orlando.

Vintage Truck parked at the Handy Pantry, "Garden Central" for the Tour

Vendors and Enthusiasts Lined the Street 

The Handy Pantry - Open For Lunch

Gardens featured included historic, classic, contemporary and other styles.  It is a tour that makes you happy to walk around such a beautiful city, here are some favorite scenes from the day:

Oak Lined Street in Downtown Orlando

Pink & Green Planters

An entryway beckons

Fresh breezes flow through the sunroom 

Street Scene

Fetching Vegetable Garden in the front yard

Raised Bed System with Drip Irrigation

Every Garden needs a sense of humor

Ditto 

Beautiful Patina

Vines + Fence = Love

The extra detail makes all the difference

Nothing says Spring like Hydrangeas!

Even if you didn't make it to the garden tour, you can still enjoy a lovely afternoon - stop by the Handy Pantry (corner of East Amelia and Cathcart), have a sandwich and then walk around the neighborhood.  Many houses not included on the tour have lovely front yards that can only be appreciated while strolling about.  It's a walk that makes one really appreciate "the City Beautiful"...

Lake Eola Heights Garden Tour

Spanish moss swaying in the oaks, brick streets, plein air artists, classical music...all in the garden...if this sounds like a fun way to spend a Sunday afternoon, read on!

Sunday, April 17 from Noon - 5 p.m., Lake Eola Heights Neighborhood is hosting its biennial historic garden tour.  As one of the oldest neighborhoods in downtown Orlando, the mature trees and plantings paired with historically significant architecture makes it one of the prettiest areas in the "city beautiful".  

View of Orlando, "City Beautiful", vintage postcard 

Ten houses are featured on the tour (map below).  Garden themes include English Cottage, Herbs, Entertaining, Kids Play, Pocket (as in mini) and Orchids...

Tickets are on sale now ($10 in advance, $15 day of), at the Handy Pantry Market located at 522 East Amelia Street, Orlando, FL 32801.  A few helpful links:

• Lake Eola Heights Garden Tour Press Release
• 2011 Lake Eola Heights Garden Tour Brochure

Plans for next Weekend? Winter Garden, FL!

It's time for the annual  Winter Garden Bloom & Grow Garden Festival, April 9 & 10

For Central Floridian gardeners, this is a don't miss.  Features Plant Street in Winter Garden completely covered with nursery vendors. Bring your garden carts, cash and be ready to enjoy a lovely afternoon or morning in Winter Garden with festival food, live music, tons of plant specimens and sales, tours of Roper's hydroponic gardens and sidewalk chalk art contests.


Souvenirs from past years:  

• Thornless blackberry bush
• Multiple citrus labels
• Great food from Harry & Larry's

Parking:  generally free, but crowded.  Note that in years past there have been some loading/unloading zones where you can put all of your plant specimens and then drive 'round to get them.


Atmosphere:  like a small town, home town festival.  It gets very crowded around lunch time and early afternoon.


Other:  Stroller and Dog friendly in years past; completely paved surfaces for easy navigation.  


Where's Winter Garden?  Located about 25 minutes west of downtown Orlando, easily reachable by the 408; Florida's Turnpike: