Your guide to exploring during Historic Garden Week on Virginia’s Eastern Shore 

A warm spring day, wandering picturesque gardens in the Soutern countryside sounds like something straight out of a storybook. Gardens are a major part of Southern traditions and during historic garden week, we set aside time to celebrate that heritage.  

The Virginia Historic Garden Week has been around for almost 90 years. These tours across the Commonwealth are part of an effort by the Garden Club of Virginia to preserve our historic gardens for generations to enjoy.  

What is Historic Garden Week?

According to the Historic Garden Week website, “Since 1920 the Garden Club of Virginia has grown from eight founding clubs to 48 clubs with over 3,500 members. It is the coordinated efforts of these talented volunteers, along with the generosity of nearly 150 private home owners across our Commonwealth, who make Historic Garden Week possible. The Garden Club of Virginia’s horticultural programming and flower shows inspire one of Historic Garden Week’s greatest attractions, the world-class floral arrangements created by club members featured on tours. We estimate over 2,300 will be created especially for Historic Garden Week this spring.” (read more at www.vagardenweek.org/about-us/) 

Historic Garden Week on Virginia’s Eastern Shore is all about discovering the beauty and traditions of southern gardens that you will find scattered along our natural coast. With families here on the Eastern Shore dating back to the earliest days of America, the roots run deep in our sandy soil and you will find incredible landscaping that beautifies family estates that date back hundreds of years.

What can you explore during the tour?

While the annual garden tour locations are scattered around the Shore, a mainstay on the tour are the gardens on the grounds of the historic Eyre Hall estate.  

Kirk Mariner, in his book Off 13, writes, “So strong is the tradition of hospitality here that the house is open every year at Garden Week, and its formal gardens are open to the public, free of charge, year round.”  

He goes on to tell the history and charm of the estate, which was constructed by Littleton Eyre in the mid-1700s. He describes the gardens as “extensively preserved formal garden… a geometrically arranged pattern of magnolia, yew, crepe myrtle, and boxwood… Adjacent to the [family] cemetery are the ruins of the “orangerie,” a substantial brick structure of 1819 which once served as a greenhouse for the estate. During the winters this building housed plants and trees which, during the summers, were moved out into the garden; large windows faced the south for sunlight, and two fireplaces, their remains still quite visible, kept the temperature warm enough to protect such tropical trees as oranges and lemons… It is half a mile from Route 13 up the tree-shaded lane to this plantation, and well worth the trip for those who are serious about seeing the real Eastern Shore.” (Read more from Kirk Mariner in his book Off 13: The Eastern Shore of Virginia Guidebook) 

As you are exploring during Historic Garden Week, take the turn off of highway 13 and head down this tree lined lane to discover Eyre Hall for yourself! Be sure to mosey and take in the beautiful landscaping at the entrance to the estate.  

You will be directed to park when you go during the garden tour. As you wander the gardens, you will see that the garden is divided into squares, as Kirk Mariner noted. Each one is put together differently than the rest and it is so much fun to see the creativity, time, and thought poured into each one. If you pay attention though, you will see plant varieties and designs repeated throughout, so that each piece fits into a greater design.  

As you leave the walled off portion of the garden, head down towards the water down a wide path. Even in late April, you will find a sprinkling of daffodils blooming along the edge of the walkway. Leave plenty of time in your schedule for wandering around and taking in the sites of the whole estate. You are sure to discover something beautiful of your own.  

Other locations on the tour this year include:

Tower Hill, 3018 Bowden Landing, Cape Charles – a historic home built in 1746 that overlooks King’s Creek

The Jeffrey at Shooting Point, 5243 Tickitank Way, Machipongo – a modern home with lush coastal gardens

Windingdale, 35344 Windingdale Drive, Belle Haven – a historic waterfront property dating to 1780

To learn more about each location, go to vagardenweek.org/tours/eastern-shore/

What do you love about the Historic Garden Week Tour here on Virginia’s Eastern Shore? Share it with us in a comment or tag us on social media as you share your garden tour photos!