Sunny skies set the scene for a perfect summer day for The Little Gardens Club of Atlantic City 2026 garden tour, held on Sunday, July 12. Attendees of the self-guided tour were able to wander through and admire private gardens in Egg Harbor Township and Linwood. Each garden provided visitors with fresh and unique ideas that they could bring home to implement into their own gardens.
Beginning with a mainstay of the tour, Linwood Arboretum on Wabash Avenue presented their latest project that uses drone technology to map the growth and health of plants. Minutes away, the lovely outdoor space and gardens of Christine Herron and Tom Tobolsk were filled with flowers and herbs alongside a koi pond and a nearby fairy garden. On the bay side, the peaceful backyard gardens of Julianne and Paul Weaver featured a pond filled with koi happily swimming among towering water cannas in bloom while Japanese maples, lavender, and hydrangeas surrounded the pond.
Just a short drive away, the tour continued on to Egg Harbor Township where the backyard retreat of Pat and Bill Hurst began with a ¼-acre natural pond. An eye-catching fountain drew visitors in as they watched artist Susan E. Daly capture the scenic view with her live painting during the tour. After passing the arbor covered in trumpet vine, nature was on full display as the Patcong Creek provided the backdrop to the backyard garden. Only minutes away, attendees of the tour found themselves at the lake view garden of Aileen Privitera and Derek Nye. Large stone steps led the way to the soothing water of the Beaver Lake running along the property. Guests could take a peaceful moment to enjoy the garden filled with plants highlighted by interesting foliage, while the red flowers of Crocosmia and the purple flowers of tall verbena (Verbena bonariensis) provided pops of color.
Continuing the tour took fellow gardeners to the front and backyard sanctuary of artist Marie Natale. An arbor of giant crepe paper flowers welcomed guests to the “Artist’s Garden Atelier” and led to woodland garden paths lined with natural timbers. Natale’s watercolor artwork was displayed on easels among the curves of the pathways which meandered back to the yard.
For the grand finale, the multiple gardens of Pat and Scott Warner surround the 1905 Victorian that the Warners have called home since 1969. These long-curated gardens are filled with collected treasures and unique features that would take countless visits to fully appreciate. Each twist and turn was full of surprises. Scott displayed his 1928 Chevy Sports Cabriolet Coupe with a rumble seat filled with a basket of flowers. Guests were caught off guard as the “ding-ding” driveway signal bell sounded among the circle of vintage gas pumps behind the Chevy. But this was only the beginning of wonders as the path leading behind the house turned into a labyrinth of passageways with interest at each step of the way. Water features could be seen and heard throughout as the meandering paths which led to various vignettes framed by wrought iron fences filled with coneflowers, trumpet vines, roses, hydrangeas and unending perennials with water fountain focal points. This garden was a real treat and a visual labor of love.
Each year, the tour seems to take on an unintended theme. This year, water was predominant in each of the featured gardens, starting with a day-long rainstorm that fed the thirsty gardens on the eve of the tour. Koi ponds, fountains, lakes, creeks, and trickling waterfalls set the peaceful mood for an enchanting summer garden tour full of wonderful water features and flowers.
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Tammy Thornton lives with her husband, children, and crazy pets while enjoying a life of gardening, cooking, and going to the beach.
