Upcoming events
Get involved
Lanakila Gardens is open to visits by small groups whose interests are served by time spent in the gardens, including tours for garden clubs, day visits by UNF students in Environmental Studies, organic gardening and archaeology enthusiasts. Workshops run by Jacksonville artists also take place on the property. Musical events combining UNF opera students and instrumentalists in the Formal Garden, as well as visits from participants and staff at social service programs such as Art with a Heart in Medicine and Hope at Hand take place each year. Specific programs on soil health, biodiverse planting schemes, growing in succession and from seed, ecological design and best organic practices for a regenerative landscape continue to be developed. The Foundation’s mission will ensure the permanency of Lanakila Gardens as a place of natural beauty, horticultural education and inspiration for all who visit.
Visitor Resources
To support guided exploration and special events, the following resources are available as downloadable PDF files. These materials are suitable for viewing on a mobile device or for printing prior to your visit.
Garden Tours
Garden Tours are available for small groups and garden clubs. Peak bloom occurs between the months of February and May. In order to respect the privacy of the homeowners, tours must be scheduled in advance. To schedule a garden tour, please email lanakilagardens@gmail.com.
An Evening of Opera at Lanakila Gardens (Past Event)
Celebrating Lanakila Gardens Foundation and University of North Florida Opera Program
On Saturday, April 18, 2026, at 5:00 pm, Lanakila Gardens hosted a private evening reception celebrating the beauty, mission, and continued growth of the gardens. Guests heard updates from Foundation President Cheryl Cummer, highlighting recent accomplishments and future initiatives.
Head Horticulturalist Madelaine LeDew spoke about the spring tours and programs held in the gardens, as well as her plans for new offerings in the fall. Students from the UNF Opera Program performed selections from Mozart & More, concluding with Le Nozze di Figaro. The hedges and fountain of the Formal Garden provided a perfect setting for the finale.
Cuisine for the evening was prepared by Chef Chriss Brown, founder of The Empowered Kitchen. The invitation-only event supported the Lanakila Gardens Foundation and The Jack Lyle Opera Fund at the UNF School of Music.
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Help make future events like this possible by donating here:
Winter/Spring Photo Tours (Past Event)
Join our Master Photographers for a guided photography tour at Lanakila Gardens, featuring six private gardens on a beautiful 2 1/2 acre property.
Plein Air Painting in a Garden (Past Event)
Watercolor with Robert Leedy
Plein air painting, derived from the French phrase “en plein air,” which translates to “in the open air,” entails the practice of painting outdoors. This technique allows artists to capture the landscape or surroundings directly from nature, rather than in a studio environment. When executed in a setting such as Lanakila Gardens, it provides an exceptionally immersive and sensory-rich experience.
A Garden Celebration (Past Event)
A private reception was held on Tuesday, March 11th, at 5:30 pm. Guests heard updates from Foundation President Cheryl Cummer, toured the garden with Garden Manager Madelaine LeDew, and enjoyed a special performance by Shakuhachi Grand Master Riley Lee.
Admission to this event was by invitation only. To reserve a seat, guests registered by making a suggested donation of $25 per person to underwrite Lanakila Garden Foundation programs.
Help make future events like this possible by donating here:
