The Secret Garden Tour of Johns Creek, organized by Johns Creek Beautification, is back for its fifth year on May 9 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (rain or shine).
This popular, “drive-yourself,” self-guided tour features a stunning line up of six carefully curated, private home gardens throughout the city. Because it’s a secret, the locations of the homes are not shared until closer to the big day — lending an air of mystery and fun to an already interesting, nature-centered outing.
“The gardens truly are secret,” said Lynn Pennington, past president and ArtSpot chair, Johns Creek Beautification. “Tour maps and garden locations are kept under wraps and will be emailed to ticket holders the day before the event.”
A variety of landscapes
Pennington did share that each destination will offer a distinct experience, ranging from “a hillside garden complete with a waterfall and pond, to a tranquil woodland retreat, to an inviting space for entertaining.”
No two gardens on the tour are alike and each lovely location will “highlight a unique blend of color, texture and seasonal interest.” Several are also National Wildlife Federation Certified Wildlife Habitat® gardens.
The full garden tour experience
In addition to offering a peek into some of the city’s well-loved backyard green spaces, the tour will also feature music, art and knowledgeable experts at each destination.
“What sets this tour apart is its seamless blend of horticulture and the arts,” Pennington explained.
Throughout the day, guests will not only enjoy beautiful landscaping, they will also find local musicians and visual artists bringing gentle sounds of live music to the gardens and offering opportunities to watch the artists at work.
“It creates an immersive celebration of creativity, nature and community,” she added.
Garden docents will also be on-hand at each location to answer questions and share information about the plants, landscape design and unique features of the gardens.
More about the Secret Garden Tour
The Secret Garden Tour debuted in 2018 and is Johns Creek Beautification’s major fundraiser, typically held every other year.
According to the organization, proceeds from this year’s tour are earmarked for a landmark public art sculpture “to commemorate and honor the legacy, culture and history of Native Americans, the Indigenous peoples, who were the first inhabitants of the Johns Creek area.”
Pennington shared that the process of selecting the gardens mostly involves word of mouth among the “garden-loving volunteers who talk to friends and acquaintances to see if they know of any ‘secret gardens’ hiding behind the homes we all pass each day.”
“There are many beautiful homes in Johns Creek, with attractive landscaping in front, but there are fewer homes with outstanding gardens hiding out of view,” she said. “Most homeowners don’t think their gardens are special, but you’ll see some stunning secret gardens on this tour.”
Organizers and volunteers
Johns Creek Beautification is a 100% volunteer nonprofit, which means the tour has been chaired by different leaders over the years, as members come and go from leadership positions.
This year, current president, Liliana Brenner, is chairing the event. And, Pennington pointed out, there are also several sub committees with chairs as well as volunteers that help bring the Secret Garden Tour to life.
“The effort to create such a great event is spread among as many responsible volunteers as possible,” she said.
In the past, the Secret Garden Tour of the Johns Creek Community has sold out. This year, organizers expect the same, with attendance in the 400-500 person range throughout the day-long event. So buying your tickets early is a good idea if you plan to take part.
Garden Tour Details
Date: May 9
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (rain or shine)
Admission is $44.52. Tickets are available now and can be purchased online.
This is a self-guided tour. Ticket holders will receive an email with detailed map the day before the event and are responsible for driving themselves to each of the locations.
Lunch is not provided, but guests can plan ahead and stop to enjoy any of the restaurants in Johns Creek. Restrooms will not be available at the homes on the tour, though they are available at public park facilities nearby.
For more information, visit johnscreekbeautification.org/secret-garden-tour.
