Picture Perfect Paradise: Azalea Garden Tour

The serene view from this intimate river rock patio, overlooking the pier into Whiskey Creek, is a cherished daily delight for Eric and Tracey Schmidt—and now, you can experience it too. Their stunning property is featured as Garden #10 on the 72nd Annual Azalea Garden Tour, hosted by the Cape Fear Garden Club from April 4th to 6th.  Alongside nine other breathtaking gardens, it promises a showcase of lush landscapes and inspiring outdoor living spaces.

Eleven years ago, Eric and Tracey purchased their heavily wooded lot to build their forever home. Having lived in Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Louisiana, they settled in Wilmington in 2002. The property’s natural beauty attracted them. Dr. Eric Schmidt, a world-renowned innovator in optometry, and Tracey, with her background as a Fashion Buyer and interior design experience, transformed the challenging backyard—marked by a 20-foot drop in elevation—into a harmonious, terraced hideaway. 

Creeping figs disguise the retaining walls, forming a textured backdrop for the terrace below. Strategically placed Adirondack chairs around the fire pit create a welcoming space for conversation and connection on chilly afternoons and evenings. Every aspect of the landscape was meticulously designed by Tracey, who seamlessly blends function and aesthetics. She believes in engaging all the senses, incorporating fragrant herbs like rosemary along pathways.

Tracey built the intricate pathways while Eric was away lecturing. Working with Ted at Stone Garden, she learned how to safely maneuver and place the large, irregularly shaped Pennsylvania flagstone by herself. “I do Pilates and know my limitations,” she laughs, emphasizing the importance of patience and proper technique. With over two tons of crushed stone and a ton of River Jax delivered in convenient Super Sacks, the project was manageable and rewarding.

“I love integrating plants with the stones – creating the curved lines of a meandering pathway where I can plant wispy, free-spirited greenery. Using stone adds texture and structure without feeling too formal.”

Palmetto minors, big-leaf, and lace hydrangeas frame a River Jax pathway with a simple metal border.

Given North Carolina’s humid weather, Tracey carefully segments the garden into microclimates. At the lower end of the yard, an underground river feeds Whiskey Creek, creating a damp, nutrient-rich zone perfect for “wet feet” plants like petunias, papyrus, horsetail reeds, and ginger lilies.

The couple added creek stones in various sizes to highlight the water as it makes its way to Whiskey Creek. Eric even built a small bridge over the trickling stream for easy access to the pier.

“It’s fascinating to sit still and watch all the life in the garden … birds, squirrels, dragonflies … the way the colors of the creek change with the seasons is mesmerizing.”

Their garden is beautiful and an ever-evolving masterpiece. Tracey adjusts plant placements as the live oaks mature, digging up bulbs to accommodate shifting sunlight. She keeps a garden plan to remember where everything is waiting to bloom from under the soil, a practice that reflects their love for their garden. 

Vibrant purple Mexican sage in the perennial garden is a showstopper, complemented by 250 spring bulbs—daffodils, Saigon Dutch irises, Byzantius gladiolas, and hyacinths—enhancing the garden’s contribution to this year’s Azalea Garden Tour theme, “A Canopy of Blooms.” The couple manages all the planting, weeding, and trimming, hiring only for mowing and edging. 

They found a creative solution to preserve their deck. After noticing the lawn trimmers were damaging the deck, Tracey lined the base of the stairs with river rounds, securing each stone with PetraMax Rock Glue. The result? A visually appealing, durable border that protects the deck and enhances the space’s natural charm.

Inside the house, Tracey adores tulips, though she acknowledges they don’t thrive in North Carolina. In the garden, she favors resilient, colorful selections like Salvia and gladiolas.

The back deck is the heart of their outdoor living space. Featuring a pool from Port City Pools, its multi-level TimberTech decking—installed by Ben Fox of Fox Construction—replaced a high-maintenance wooden structure. String lights with Edison bulbs cast a warm, inviting glow, enhancing the relaxed, cottage-style ambiance that makes this house a home.

Every weekend, the couple embrace their waterfront lifestyle, kayaking from their dock to Masonboro Island Reserve, always mindful of the changing tides. For the Schmidt family, the backyard is an extension of their home, not only a place to entertain but also their inner sanctum where they sip morning coffee, watch families of birds return year after year, and soak in the symphony of nature.

As Eric puts it: 

“We live out here 70% of the time. It’s truly our own little paradise.”

Professional photography by Mark Steelman

AZALEA GARDEN TOUR DETAILS

Spring is in the air, and that means it’s time for one of Wilmington’s most anticipated events—the 2025 Azalea Garden Tour, hosted by the Cape Fear Garden Club!

As your trusted local source for all things garden and landscape, Stone Garden is excited to spread the word about this stunning tour that showcases Wilmington’s most breathtaking private gardens. 

Get Your Tickets! 

• Price: $50 Per Person
• Payment: Cash or check ONLY, made out to the Cape Fear Garden Club 
• Where to Buy: Stone Garden or select local businesses, and at the entrance of each garden during the tour.

Why You’ll Love It: 

• Stroll through 10 stunning gardens featuring creative landscaping and beautiful azaleas.
• Get inspiration for your own home garden.
• Support the Cape Fear Garden Club’s beautification projects in our community.
• Plein Air Artists will be paining in the 10 private gardens all weekend.

Don’t miss this once-a-year event that celebrates the best of Wilmington’s gardens! 

Visit the official site for more details: 
We hope to see you at the tour—and of course, stop by Stone Garden for all your landscaping and garden needs! 

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