Garden Clubs and Guided Tours

Carter and Holmes is open for visitors year round.  We do occasionally offer Free Behind the Scene Tour Days.  Those are posted on our website and social media to help with planning.

If you have a large group or are looking for a specific date we are available to host Garden Clubs, Society Clubs, Church Adventure Societies and more.  Tour dates are available from September through April, as those are the best times to see blooming plants and enjoy the greenhouses.  Tours are not scheduled for June, July and August.

 

What your group can expect with a scheduled, guided tour:

First, we invite our guests to a sit-down ‘get-acquainted’ session in our air-conditioned multi-purpose meeting area where blooming orchids are exhibited for discussion and enjoyment.  A professional grower or staff member will make introductory comments about orchids and our business and will answer questions from the group.  Most groups opt for the Home Orchid Growing 101 presentation since many will be new or novice orchid growers, but if your group would like we have other programs available. 

 

Greenhouses past the front office are not accessible with walkers, rollators or wheelchairs.  The aisles are very narrow and there are stairs in/out of some greenhouses.

Next comes, Orchid Safari, a walking tour of greenhouses with orchids and tropical plants growing in various stages from seedling to flowering size.  Those who choose not to make the walking tour are welcome to remain in our air conditioned office and sales area.  They will be joined by the rest of their group upon the completion of the walking tour.  We also have adjacent to our office, Owen’s Antiques and Collectibles, where visitors are welcome to browse.

 

The charge for tours is $10.00 per person ($100.00 minimum deposit is required to hold your time slot) for which each member of a tour also receives a credit that can be redeemed for one of a wide variety of houseplants in 4” pots or for a $10.00 discount off the purchase price of larger plants and orchids.  During and after tours, visitors are encouraged to shop and to use their coupons.  Tour directors and bus drivers are not required to purchase coupons.  Tour fees are not refundable but we can reschedule with advance notice.

 

Public restrooms are available at Carter & Holmes, but we encourage larger groups to make rest stops before visiting to save time.  Handbags, camera bags and other bags/totes are not allowed in the greenhouses because our aisles are narrow, and bags can damage the plants as you walk through.  Bags should be left locked in vehicles or in our secure filing cabinets in our office.  Cameras and photography are welcome.  For restaurant recommendations in Newberry, please see our page Planning a Visit.

 

Guided Tours are by appointment only, which must be made and confirmed at least one week in advance.  Please allow at least 1-½ hours for tours.  Groups may want additional time for shopping.  There are no Saturday/Sunday/Monday tours. We only schedule tours upon receipt of payment.

 

If your group is ready to schedule please print out, complete and mail our Tour Form.

 

Please mail to:

Carter and Holmes Orchids

PO Box 668

Newberry, SC 29108