Into the Wylde: A Tour of Gardens and Greenspaces Throughout Decatur May 14

The Wylde Center will present some of the Decatur area’s most beautiful public and private gardens May 14 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. The tour, Into the Wylde: A Tour of Gardens and Greenspaces, will feature both private gardens and public gardens and parks, including the Decatur garden of internationally-known garden designer and author Ryan Gainey, the Wylde Center’s Oakhurst Garden, Decatur Cemetery, Scott Park and Woodlands Garden. The tour will be held rain or shine, and proceeds will benefit the Wylde Center, one of metro Atlanta’s premier environmental organizations. http://wyldecenter.org/into-the-wylde/.

“We are excited to open up some very lovely private gardens to the public, including the ever-evolving home garden of Ryan Gainey,” said Aditi Bhardwaj, chairman of the tour. “The tour is self-guided, so attendees can spend as much time as they wish at each stop and plan their own route, and volunteers will be stationed at the gardens to answer questions. Among the features attendees will see are: a pergola surrounded by blooming shrubs and fountains, a pollinator-friendly cottage garden, a shade garden underneath a flowering Yoshino cherry tree, a collection of heirloom roses, a variety of garden “rooms” and a backyard campfire ring with seating. One of the private gardens on the tour is an Atlanta Audubon and National Wildlife Federation certified wildlife habitat.

“We also hope the one-day tour will encourage the community to visit public greenspaces they may be familiar with, but perhaps haven’t explored,” continued Bhardwaj. “The Decatur Cemetery is the oldest municipal cemetery in the metro Atlanta region and comprises 58 beautiful acres. Woodlands Gardens was gifted to the City of Decatur by the Morse family, who began cultivating the seven woodland acres when Dr. and Mrs. Chester Morse moved to the site in 1946. Scott Park is an organic community garden located behind the Decatur Recreation Center and adjacent to the Decatur Public Library, and includes community garden plots. Decatur Mayor Patti Garrett will host a ribbon cutting ceremony at Scott Park at 11 a.m. the day of the tour. Oakhurst Garden is the Wylde Center’s original garden and serves as the organization’s headquarters. It includes community garden plots, a chicken coop with chickens, bee hive, Cobb Adobe House, pond, and growing area.”

Tickets are $15 for Wylde Center members, $20 for non-members in advance and $25 the day of the tour, and may be purchased at http://wyldecenter.org/into-the-wylde/, Intown Ace Hardware on Scott Blvd. in Decatur and at the Oakhurst Garden. Children under age 12 will be admitted for free.

About the Wylde Center

In 1997, an idea took root in the Oakhurst area of Decatur, Ga. Neighbors Sally Wylde and Louise Jackson envisioned a community garden where children could learn about the natural world and enjoy hands-on gardening activities. With the purchase of a half-acre of property at the corner of South McDonough St. and Oakview Road, the Oakhurst Community Garden was born. Today, supported by members, foundations, corporations and donors, the non-profit has been re-named the Wylde Center to honor its co-founder and to better encompass its expanded range of properties and programs. The Wylde Center oversees four distinctive greenspaces, directs a year-round educational program for all ages, hosts social events and directs the Decatur City Schools’ Farm to School Program. Staff and volunteers engage children, families and individuals in activities designed to develop creative skills in sustainable urban living, organic gardening, health and nutrition. Despite its robust growth, the Wylde Center has stayed true to its original mission of cultivating vibrant greenspaces for everyone to enjoy and inspiring communities of environmental stewards. www.wyldecenter.org.