A Canopy of Blooms: Southern Charm, History & Gardens
Friday, April 4th, 2025, dawned bright and beautiful in Wilmington, NC – ideal for the much-anticipated Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at the historical Kenan House on Market Street. The event marked the official kickoff to the Cape Fear Garden Club’s 72nd annual Azalea Festival Garden Tour.
Kenan House, 1705 Market Street with Wise House to the right
Built in 1911, this neoclassical gem with its soaring white columns once served as the beloved home of Wilmington native Sarah Graham Kenan, “Miss Sarah,” who affectionately called the residence “Sunnyside.” She moved there in 1923 to be close to her sister, Jessie Kenan Wise, who lived next door in what is now the UNCW Wise Alumni House.
Wise Alumni House, 1713 Market Street
Both properties have been lovingly preserved by the University of North Carolina Wilmington. The ceremony began on a joyful note, with the Coastal Christian High School Choir, directed by Amy Tucker-Morgan, serenading guests with heartfelt renditions of regional favorites like “Carolina in My Mind.”
Guests arrived in festive attire, many donning elaborate floral hats in shades of pink, green, and turquoise. Cathy Poulos, who participated as a plein air painter during the weekend, remarked, “The Ribbon Cutting is one of my favorite events of the year. It’s so colorful and joyful—and I love seeing all the hats!”
The ceremony was broadcast live on CBS by WWAY TV 3. Anchors Tomika Jackson and Matt Bennett of “Good Morning Carolina” captured the magic as it unfolded in real-time with WWAY’s Jeff Rivenbark as emcee. Azalea Festival President Beck Smith welcomed the crowd before Queen Azalea Bethany Joy Lenz, a celebrated actress, and creator of Modern Vintage News, cut the ceremonial ribbon—officially opening the gardens to the public.
This year’s theme, A Canopy of Blooms, was on full display. Delores Hawes, President of the Cape Fear Garden Club, shared with WWAY that the azaleas were in peak bloom, perfectly complementing the sunny skies and mild weather. Garden Tour Chair Pia Ann Robison noted that each featured garden had been selected more than a year in advance, making the event a true labor of love.
Following the ribbon-cutting, the Azalea Queen’s Garden Party took place. Club members, celebrating the organization’s 100th anniversary, served their famous homemade flower-shaped cookies and light refreshments, some members in pink aprons elegantly embroidered with CFGC.
Guests enjoyed the Kenan courtyard, known as the ‘White Garden,’ which features a marble fountain and benches atop a flagstone patio.
Jess Pittman of Stone Garden described the opening day as “simply spectacular,” praising the flawless landscaping and the array of azaleas that painted both historic homes in vibrant color.
Student Ambassadors from New Hanover County High Schools greeted attendees at each garden, the young men smart in suits and bowties, the young women graceful in crisp white blouses with flowing skirts and shawls in shades of pink and turquoise. During the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony some Ambassadors carried Cape Fear Garden Club’s signature baskets filled with live floral arrangements.
Visitors enjoyed the formal garden at Kenan House worthy of a European estate. A multi-tiered stone fountain serves as the centerpiece of the sunken garden, surrounded by Tennessee Crab Orchard stone walkways and boxwoods trimmed with precision.
This space was recently restored thanks to a Cape Fear Garden Club grant. All proceeds from the Garden Tour support local beautification efforts. Since 2003, the Cape Fear Garden Club has reinvested nearly $1.4 million into New Hanover County through grants and community projects.
This year’s tour included the Kenan and Wise Houses, the beloved Airlie Gardens, and Rise Up Community Farm, a working vegetable farm whose volunteers raise healthy crops to fight food insecurity.
Six private gardens were also featured including three hidden “Secret Gardens” accessible only by trolley from Harbor Way Gardens at Wrightsville Beach. The Secret Gardens proved to be hidden treasures, surprising guests with tucked-away splendor.
Harbor Way Gardens itself, with its whimsical walkways and water features, offered free parking and added charm. On Sunday, April 6th, Garden #4, home of Jane and Tom Maloy, hosted a Benefit Art Sale organized by artist Star Sosa. The Maloy’s said being on the Tour “was a great experience. We enjoyed visiting with attendees and the artists.”
The sale featured original artwork created by plein air painters. Celebrated local artist Cathy Poulos shared, “I was painting nonstop all weekend. The sale was a great success, and I’ll be working from the photos I took for weeks—there was just so much beauty to capture.”
More than a feast for the eyes, the Azalea Garden Tour offers guests a deep connection to nature, art, and community. Docents in each garden shared stories of design choices and plant pairings, making each stop along the tour both inspiring and educational. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a casual admirer of flowers, the tour leaves a lasting impression.
Big thanks to Mark Steelman, Bernadette Baker, Eric Kozen, Jess Pittman and others for generously sharing their photos. Congratulations to the Cape Fear Garden Club for a successful 2025 Azalea Garden Tour. The next Festival is scheduled for April 8th–12th, 2026 and promises even more moments of blooming beauty and Southern hospitality. Mark your calendars!