A Canopy of Blooms

The 2025 Azalea Garden Tour

By NINA BROWN  »  Photos by MARK STEELMAN

At the far corner of Jane and Tom Maloy’s delightful English garden, tucked behind a menagerie of precious garden art, lies an enchanting brick and stucco structure that mirrors the 1931 Tudor-style home on Mimosa Place where they have lived for 42 years.  The couple, both eighty years old, are busy preparing for their 4th showing on the Azalea Garden Tour (1986, 2000, 2014, 2025), which they refer to as a public service, their “gift to the community”.  

The endearing structure is a “working” potting shed, built several decades ago by Tom and his friend Bob Martin, complete with wood from a Durham tobacco warehouse and a metal roof from the old Hanover Ironworks. Little clay pots sit ready on the shelves to hold new sprouts for spring.  Jane reveals, “I love the potting shed best.  It’s always cool on the hottest of summer days.  A perfect place to eat popcorn, enjoy drinks and friends.” 

Flagstone paths, sourced from Stone Garden and expertly installed by JC’s Hardscape and Landscaping, curve gracefully through a rich backdrop of flora, carefully tended for 27 years by Mr. Laurie Walker of The English Gardener.  Rob Robinson also helps in the yard.  In addition to mature classics, vibrant hues of Japanese persimmons, kumquats, Meyer lemons, herbs and edibles add color and texture. 

Jane and Tom have always enjoyed the art of collecting antique treasures at auction, each piece with a story to be told.   It is appropriate their garden will host the Benefit Art Sale on Sunday, April 6th where, under a canopy of Live Oaks, 20 plein air artists will exhibit their works from the three-day weekend.  

The Cape Fear Garden Club, now celebrating its 100th year, has sponsored the Azalea Garden Tour since 1953.  Proceeds from the Tour are given back to the community annually through grants to local non-profits for education, conservation and beautification. Come enjoy the blooms, April 4–6.

Happy and Bill Clark purchased this classic Dutch Colonial Revival style home on Mimosa Place in February of 2013. As only the fourth owners of the home, they feel an extreme sense of pride in maintaining and improving the property, while respecting its history. To further honor the home, The Historic Wilmington Foundation presented the 100-year plaque in 2021, naming it the Adair McCoy House, after its original owner.  

The landscape has seen many transformations over its 100-year history. In 2023, The Clarks embarked on a full renovation with landscape designer Shep Butler, and the talented Tony Parker and his team at Classic Landscapes.  The focus was on a clean, simple aesthetic to improve its year-round functionality, preserve its indigenous southern plantings, and enhance its overall beauty.  

As part of the project, azaleas, hydrangeas and camelias were relocated, and hollies, crepe myrtles, and mature oaks were planted.  Two favorite additions include Japanese Snowbell trees and Fringe trees.  As a tribute to both of their mothers, each Master Gardeners in their day, a lovely rose garden was installed and is now expertly maintained by Witherspoon Rose Culture.    

Today, Bill and Happy enjoy mornings and evenings on the side porch, overlooking a lush expanse of lawn where the kids can play.  Handsome bluestone pathways guide visitors around the property. Entertaining is easy on the back patio, complete with an outdoor kitchen, lounge areas and firepits

You can walk these charming grounds yourself on the Cape Fear Garden Club’s 72nd Azalea Garden Tour, April 4-6.  This year’s theme is a “Canopy of Blooms.”  More information and tickets are available at azaleagardentour.com.