To find inspiration for your own garden, nothing beats viewing the private gardens of other keen gardeners on the Coast.
This year's Sunshine Coast Botanical Garden Society's tour of private gardens this Sunday, May 22, is themed Primulas and Poppies. The long, cool spring means that plant growth is lush, and flowers stay in bloom longer than in a sunnier year. Timing should be perfect for flowers in great abundance, including the famed blue poppy.
The six glorious private gardens are between Soames Point and Sechelt. Each is a gem filled with ideas for planting and new ways of looking at spaces and is the creation of real people with real garden problems to solve. It's an exceptional opportunity for novice or experienced gardeners or anyone who likes to stroll in beautiful surroundings. The tour always offers a garden party ambience - most fun taken with a carpool of friends.
The 2012 calendar, Poppies from the Roof of the World, will be available at one of the tour gardens, signed by its creator, Bill Terry. Terry is author of the book Blue Heaven and is a renowned propagator of native plants and Himalayan poppies, including the famous blue poppies.
Advance tickets are available from the Sechelt Visitors Centre, Casey's Country Garden, Deluxe Landscaping, Willow Farm Nursery, Sunshine Coast Nursery, B&K Landscape & Garden Supply, Quality Farm & Garden, and Gibsons Florist. Tickets include a map and the addresses of the gardens. The cost is $15 for society members and $20 for non-members. Membership forms are available at most of the Coast's nurseries and entitle you to nursery discounts. For further information including membership, visit www.coastbotanicalgarden.org.
Whether you pack an umbrella or sunhat, camera or notebook, head out with your gardening buddies and make this a day to remember.
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