What are you doing June 26? If you do not already have firm plans, I suggest you mark your calendars and grab a ticket to the 2011 Squamish Garden Tour. This year's lead organizer Coral Arrand says the 10 selected gardens include a wide array of styles and there will also be elements of art and music in the gardens to enjoy along the way. The tour runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and tickets are $15 each.
If you have never been on the Garden Tour, you don't know what you are missing! I've been lucky enough to attend several years and the thing that always intrigues me is this "behind the gate" snapshot you glean into people's gardens and gardening sensibilities.
Returning guests will be delighted with some great new gardens and venues, but will also get the opportunity to visit a few old favourites. As we all know, gardens are never static and are always changing and it is interesting to see how a garden evolves and matures over time.
If you have never been on the tour before it is an easy and enjoyable day. The tour is self- guided,and you get the opportunity to go at your own pace. You can spend as much time as you like at each garden, and there is even a free coffee stop at the Squamish Golf Club.
Each gardener is an artist at some level. "Flair for colour and design, knowledge of your media, in this case the plants, create a living form of art," Coral tells us. This year in conjunction with the Howe Sound Performing Arts Association, there will be art and music incorporated into some of the garden stops.
In some cases the artist is the gardener and you might be lucky enough to stumble upon an artist painting or creating a piece as you tour the garden. This is a beautiful way to enhance your garden tour experience.
Part of the excitement of an event like the Garden Tour is the element of surprise when a participant first views the garden, so I'll keep the itinerary quiet. Be assured that there will be lots to see and do and best of all, the opportunity to chat with the individual gardeners about their experiences.
Tickets for the event are available at the Squamish Public Library, Anna's Attic, Garibaldi Nursery, Village Green Garden Centre, Billie's Flower House and the Adventure Centre. It is always best to purchase them in advance, but they will be available the day of the tour at the Adventure Centre. There will also be 24 fantastic raffle items up for grabs and you can purchase your $2 tickets along the route. For more information about the Garden Tour you can contact Coral Arrand at (604) 898-1823.
