The Gainesville Garden Club invites you to the Veterans Garden Tour 2026!

We have 3 exciting new gardens for you to enjoy and learn from as seasoned Floridian gardeners show you the joys (and the frustrations!) of embracing the Floridian environment! Enjoy a morning meandering through lush woodland and sunny bolts of color and maybe learn a trick or two for your own garden!

1. "Schindler" Garden (Ft. Clark Forest Subdivision): Woodland Garden

   This property (over an acre in size) showcases a dry woodland shade garden.  The owner has learned techniques in the 11 years she has been gardening in Gainesville to cope with dry shade by planting over 28 varieties of ferns and just as many bromeliads.  For the Fall garden, she’s added caladiums throughout.  Dead tree stumps, logs and huge vines looped from mature trees maintain a natural look.  At the front door, is a cactus and rock garden that can take the tough afternoon sun.  The contrasts in her yard feature many wonderful ideas for North Florida gardeners.

   
   

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2. "Park" Garden (Northwoods Community): A menagerie of flowering plants to endlessly delight all gardeners in any season!

   A cornucopia of bromeliads including Neoregelias, Vrieseas and Guzmanias, grace the pathways meandering through the shady spots in the garden, along with impatiens, a large Dendrobium orchid with white flowers, azaleas, tractor seats, Amazon lilies, begonias and sasanqua Camellias. The sunny areas include Angel Trumpets, Cherry Jubilees, and a prized Brazilian Cloak graced with charming garden art including an elephant named "Ellie" who guards their space!

   
   

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3. "Welch" Garden (Blues Creek Community): Natural Disasters Happen….

   Every Floridian gardener knows how to prepare for a hurricane, but do you know how to recover from one? This garden shows the before & after…and everything in between…. Come see the transformation (and the “works-still-in-progress”!) and learn how to embrace the unexpected with a little humor!

   
   

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PARKING: There is plenty of parking along the streets at each garden. Pick a clear spot and walk to any of the clearly marked gardens with ease.

TICKETS: We encourage guests to purchase their tickets online, so that they can receive their maps ahead of the event, however you can also pay at the welcome tables on arrival if needed. You must verify your ticket purchase for entry. (Print or digital)