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Across Stanly County the arrival of spring brings an explosion of floral landscapes and the return of outdoor living.

To celebrate the beauty and rich history of Albemarle and Stanly County, The Stanly County Historical Society will host a benefit Courtyard & Garden Tour from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. April 30. Proceeds from this rain or shine event will fund educational programs and preservation initiatives of the Stanly County Historical Society, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.

This self-guided tour will allow access to 10 private and public courtyard and garden spaces stretching from Albemarle to Richfield.

The tour features a variety of garden spaces including DIY landscapes, restored formal gardens and centuries old family farms.

Site 1 features a series of small connecting gardens behind the cottage at 1051 Pee Dee Ave., Albemarle.

As you enter the wide wrought iron gates, turn right and walk through the arbor of golden Carolina jasmine.

The pond offers a flicker of goldfish.

Proceed through the carport to a pocket garden of bright pollinator annuals to enjoy the butterflies and hummingbirds. Just ahead on the fence is a bushy, green kiwi vine, though lush, it has never brought forth any fruit.

Not so with the figs on the other side that produced lavish abundance enough that last year Jana Strukova and Doug Hume, authors and professors at Pfeiffer University, made their first fig preserves. Many friends got to share the sweetness.

Note the pomegranate and pecan trees that produce.

Beyond the fence are vegetables, mainly tomatoes, in raised beds. The building at the back of the long lot is Hume’s office. On the lawn, he likes to set up his telescope and study the skies. During the tour, he will show what he sees.

Site 2 is the garden of Tim Johnson at 838 N. Ninth St., Albemarle.

It contains many plants finding Stanly County soil for the first time.
In 2017, Johnson became the second owner of the home built by Bain and Marie Jones in 1952.

After three years of interior renovations, Johnson began the total redesign of the landscape. The landscape plans of McAulayAllen Design features a new parking pad and walkway, a water garden feature and a kitchen patio for entertaining. Front and side plantings include 1,500 rare varieties, including mungo pines, degroot spires, wasselis segura, pom pom cypress and Japanese maples. Plus, there are imported boulders from Tennessee.

Advance $15 wristband tickets are available at the Stanly County History Center, 157 N. Second St., Albemarle, or by mail order to Stanly County Historical Society, PO Box 1384, Albemarle, NC 28002. Pre-paid mail orders will be held for pick up at the will call station at the 1852 Isaiah Snuggs House, 112 N. Third St., Albemarle, from 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m.

Wristband tickets may be purchased on the day of the tour at the Isaiah Snuggs House for $20. All ticket sales are non-refundable donations.
Direct inquiries to stanlycountyhistory@gmail.com or call 704-986-3777.