Mary Katherine Murphy
Staff Writer
With their 8th tour of gardens, the Scotch Gardeners Garden Club will showcase the accomplishments of Scotland County’s horticultural community while also raising money to continue to spruce up the town.
The tour will be open from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. on April 20 and from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. on April 21. Eight sites will be featured, including four home gardens, the Laurinburg Community Garden, the Thomas Walton Manor’s garden, and the Lumber River Native Plant Farm in Gibson.
“Our host gardeners are eager to show off the fruits of their labors,” said Carol Whitehead, president of the Scotch Gardeners. “Larry Horne, owner of the Thomas Walton Manor, has graciously provided his estate to begin our tour.”
Directions to each attraction, most of which are located in Laurinburg, are printed on the tour ticket. Ticket holders are free to visit the sites in any order they wish.
The club is resurrecting the tour after a few years’ hiatus after the death of its organizer Lucretia “Teedie” Tuttle. Proceeds from ticket sales will be directed toward the club’s ongoing beautification projects as well as scholarships for high school students.
The Scotch Gardeners’ recent projects include the memorial garden at Scotland County Memorial Library, which is featured on the tour, as well as renovating the landscaping in front of Morrison Manor at Scotland County Hopsice.
Those who think that once you’ve seen one garden, you’ve seen them all will find that theory disproven on the Scotch Gardener’s tour.
“I just think there is a great variety of gardens that suit different people’s personalities,” said club member Madeline Whitehurst. “I’m sure they will find something that will please everybody.”
Refreshments will be served at three of the tour’s eight featured gardens. The tour’s starting point, the Thomas Walton Manor, will also feature live Baroque music courtesy of the Sandhills Consort, as well as a display of local art works.
The tour’s stop in Wagram’s Knapdale Manor will include not only a garden tour but a tour of the home as well.
“I think everyone will be pleasantly surprised by this year’s tour,” said Scotch Gardener Nancy Reichner. “One place we really hope everyone will come to would be the Knapdale Manor in Wagram. It is absolutely beautiful, the gardens are lovely, and the house will be a treat for everyone.”
The ticket price of $8 allows participation in both days of the tour. Tickets can be purchased at the Scotland County Memorial Library or from Scotch Gardeners members. On the tour days, tickets may also be obtained at Thomas Walton Manor on Church Street.
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