Summer in Bloom on Garden Tour

Summer was in bloom June 28 during the annual garden tour sponsored by the Manasquan Sea Lavender Garden Club at several beautifully maintained and appointed private residential gardens in Manasquan.

Club member Claire Chrystal manned the ticket sales table on Abe Voorhees Drive on a spectacular day, and by mid-morning had sold 200 of the $20 tickets, and anticipated selling 300.  The garden tour is one of two fundraisers the 75-member club holds, the other being its spring plant sale.  Proceeds benefit the club and scholarships, with two $1,000 awards presented this year to Manasquan High School graduates.

The club chose its unique name for the perennial sea lavender which grows all over Manasquan, blooms in late August, and is used a great deal for dried arrangements.  The club – which is almost 20 years old – meticulously maintains the 26 public gardens in Manasquan. 

“That’s the whole point of the club – to beautify the town,” said Chrystal.

Featured on the tour were nine properties whose owners graciously opened them to the public.  The gardens were located on Virginia, Minnesink and North Potter Avenues; South Street; and Stockton Boulevard. 

Club President Jane Hauser explained how the properties were chosen. 

“We go around town and see what looks interesting from the street, and then we knock on doors,” she said.

Chrystal noted the owners – for the most part – plant and tend their own gardens, and don’t use landscapers.

Unfortunately, due to the pressing demands of the tour, with members acting as guides and hostesses at the gardens, they were unavailable to speak or opine, but Hauser did mention via phone, “It’s a great garden tour, and wonderful idea – people really enjoy it.  It’s a beautiful tour this year.”

For more information on the Manasquan Sea Lavender Garden Club, visit www.manasquan-nj.com/GardenClub.