One of the many reasons we love Cape May is for its gorgeous Victorian homes, and a special tour next month will let you visit a series of gardens that will inspire your own landscaping projects.
Five beautiful properties on Cape Island will be open to visitors who can get a close-up look at the plants, flowers and landscape designs of pro gardeners. You’ll go at your own pace, seeing both private and public gardens along this self-guided tour.
The tour starts at The Clemans Residence, 609 Seagrove Ave., in Cape May Point. Some highlights are the private collection of Dave Clemans’ oil paintings, a trellis of antique roses, blooming waterlilies, a Hakuro Nishiki willow, the Starlight Cottage playhouse, a fishpond and a splashing fountain.
Next is the Todaro-Franceschi Residence, 514 Elmira St., Cape May. The front and rear cottage gardens were created in 2005 to support wildlife so there are a lot of plants that draw in bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. In 2020 a small pond was added, so look for toads, birds, rabbits and possums. A rain garden was created in 2021, with several native plants to support the environment. The gardens are pesticide-free, wildlife-certified and listed in the national Monarch way-station registry.
Continue on to the Viguers Residence, 501 Broad St., Cape May. The original owner of the home, F. Boerner, was a gardener, landscape designer and caretaker for the Physick Estate located just a few blocks away. The cypress fence is handmade by the late Howard Viguers. The garden also features a fishpond with goldfish and water lilies.
The fourth stop is the Greater Cape May Historical Society’s Memucan Hughes Colonial House, 653 1/2 Washington St., Cape May. The house dates back to 1730, so the historical society is restoring the garden with authentic plants used for tea, cooking and medicine. The garden was researched and designed by the Garden Club of Cape May for plants that contain products that aid with chest colds, sore throats, anxiety, inflammation and wound healing. Garden club members will be on hand to answer questions. The interior of the Colonial House will be open and decorated for spring.
Finish the tour at the Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St., Cape May. Here you’ll see another five gardens on the grounds of Cape May’s only Victorian house museum. The property from 1879 has 700 summer flowers blooming in the Oval Garden, an Herb Garden, the Fred and Sarita Kuhner Memorial Shade Garden with lots of trees, the Elvira Turano Memorial Garden with a fountain and benches and a Pollinator Garden. There will also be vendors here, including the Native Plant Society of New Jersey, and a free wine tasting by Cape May Winery.
The Gardens of Cape May Tour takes place from 12-4 pm Saturday, June 15. A trolley shuttle is available during the duration of the tour and will travel between properties. The rain date is June 16. Tickets can be purchased in person, by calling 609-884-5404 or by visiting capemaymac.org.
Get the latest on the best things to do with your family in and around New Jersey by signing up for our newsletter and following us on Pinterest, Facebook and Instagram!
Read More:
Nature Centers, Gardens and Arboretums in NJ
This Beautiful Arboretum in North Jersey is Celebrating its 40th Anniversary
Beautiful Butterfly Gardens in New Jersey
The Wildwood’s Newest and Largest Beach Resort is A Little Bit Doo-Wop, A Little Bit Modern
50 Free Things to Do This Summer in New Jersey
This Amusement Park on LBI is Celebrating 40 Years of Fun
