Every year in Sarasota one of Sarasota’s oldest neighborhoods host a garden tour to bring neighbors together and enjoy some shared passions. McClellan Park has a history as Sarasota's "Garden Spot" as was the description used in local ads for McClellan Park in 1916. On 56 acres at the southern end of Orange Avenue, between Osprey Avenue and the Bay, the subdivision represented a new style of development for Sarasota. The developers were Katherine E. and Daisietta G. McClellan, sisters who had initially visited Sarasota around 1910. They hired landscape architects to design the park, with the result that roadways curved over the gently sloping land and every lot had a view of the bay. Although today not everyone has a view of the bay, we can all still enjoy our gardens and backyard views. McClellan Park recently added Paradise Shores into the Association as seen in the city map.

Living so close to Sarasota Bay we are conscious about red tide and global warming, so this year was a perfect opportunity to focus on inspiring and educating each other on planting more Florida Natives. Florida Native plants require less water and no fertilization to flourish, while creating a habitat for birds, butterflies, bees and other pollinators that benefit our environment. We also had the opportunity to learn about solar energy, edible plants and fruiting trees while peeking behind the walls and garden oases in our very own “backyards”.

 

 

Thank you to our neighbors who opened up their gardens:  Kat Schuetz Florida native front yard, Joe & Debbie Angeleri -backyard oasis, Don & Hedi Perry- natives, fruit trees and solar energy, Donna Menegaz walled garden, Andrew & Natalie Tanner edible garden with natives and solar energy, and June & David Cussen.  June & David recently worked with the city of Sarasota to install Florida Native Plants at the McClellan Park entrance of Osprey and McClellan Parkway - its a lovely entry to our neighborhood and enjoyed each day by many who pass by.

Florida Native Nursery was a big help developing our Osprey Entry Garden and a great resource for Florida Native gardening. https://www.floridanativeplants.com

We encourage you to learn about planting Florida natives in your garden. Together we can make a difference that will benefit us all, One native plant at a time.