After one of the hardest winters in recent memory, it’s time to get ready for Spring and look forward to enjoying the natural beauty of our area, especially our gardens. The Kent Island Federation of Arts (KIFA) is presenting a unique opportunity for lovers of the outdoors, gardens, gardening, our beautiful waterways and art, all in one. On Saturday and Sunday, June 12 and 13 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. the public is invited to enjoy a self-guided tour of fifteen beautiful private waterfront gardens on Kent Island and surrounding areas, including Queenstown.
To give you an idea of what to expect during this tour, here is what one of our garden hosts says about their garden: “Our garden began in 1999 and has continued to evolve. We started with a plan from Melissa Gerber and have been adding beds ever since in an attempt to rid ourselves of lawn. Today pollinator gardens have replaced much of the lawn and native trees, shrubs and perennials provide both beauty and food for the wildlife. Another goal we have is to create year round interest in the garden. We have blooms starting late winter (hellebores and Camellia), berries that persist through fall into winter on Hawthorn, Winterberry and Chokeberry. Knock-out roses bloom well into December. Daffodils start early, followed by Peonies, bearded iris, Penstemon, Sedum, Asters, and Lilies. Many native plants thrive in our garden; solidago, Purple coneflower, Joe Pye Weed, Asters, Baptista, Panicum virgatum, turtleheads, both pink and white, amsonia. The garden was Bay Wise certified in 2004.”
Docents or guides will greet visitors at each garden and present special features that make our seaside gardens unique. You may observe plein-air artists at work and enjoy musicians as you stroll through a charming variety of gardens.
Tickets may be purchased in advance by calling KIFA at (410) 643-7424. Order early and your tickets will be mailed to you. (Cash, personal check and credit card will be accepted). Tickets in advance are $20.00, good for both days. The day of the tour, tickets will be $25.00. Visitors will also be able to pre-order a bag lunch for the day of the tour for $6.00, although many wonderful restaurants are available in the area.
The day of the event, go to KIFA, 405 Main St, Stevensville, MD, turn in your ticket and you will be given a program with a map and directions to each of the gardens. Public facilities will be indicated on the maps. Money raised from this event will be used to help KIFA achieve its mission of bringing art to the community by teaching and providing outlets for the appreciation and expression of the arts. In addition to helping support KIFA in its programs, you will also receive a discount coupon to Wildflowers’ and Lowe’s Nurseries in Stevensville for 10% off the price of regularly priced items during the weekend of the tour. KIFA thanks these local businesses for supporting this event.