Join the 12th annual Sawtooth Botanical Garden Tour, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, July 7 when seven of the most alluring gardens in the valley will be open for the day. Each garden will have plant experts, artists and musicians on hand.
First along the tour will be four neighbors in the Deer Creek area north of Hailey.
Sheri Thorson's garden began its evolution 14 years ago with some carefully placed spruce trees. Since then the gardens and landscaping along a creek have flourished under her care. Steve Haims' garden began taking shape 13 years ago when he moved to Deer Creek. The garden encompasses a vegetable garden, perennial beds, a woodland garden and natural water features.
"One of my favorite things is harvesting good things to eat," he said.
Showpieces at Kim and Kirk Peterson's home include a new perennial bed in the front, a renovated herb garden, as well as a pond garden right off the house's back porch and lots of other secret beds that cover every corner of the property. Kim Peterson's business, Red Gate Flowers, is supplied by the cutting gardens.
Around the corner, Kris Stoffer and Mike Long will show off their extensive perennial gardens, vegetable gardens and natural water features.
The Sturdivant garden on Aspen Lakes Drive is easily considered one of the most spectacular gardens in the valley.
Moving across Highway 75 to Indian Creek, the Daveys' garden is a secret walled garden with spectacular views.
Attendees are welcome to a gathering from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Sawtooth Botanical Garden for refreshments, entertainment, informational booths and a no-host bar.
A silent auction will be held featuring garden theme items including a hand-woven wall hanging from Tibet, flower vases and art. This year the Botanical Garden will raffle off two sets of hand-carved furniture. The item is sponsored by Reed Bros. Furniture and Charles Stuhlberg Gallery. The furniture includes a dining set from the Barkwood Collection valued at $18,000. A second chance to win will offer an outdoor lounge set including two chairs with a hand-carved trout chair and a side table. Raffle tickets are available at the Botanical Garden or through board or staff members. Tickets are $35 or three for $100 for two chances to win.
Tickets are $35 for garden members and $45 for non-members. Tickets are available at the 9Sawtooth Botanical Garden, at the corner of Highway 75 and Gimlet Road just south of Ketchum, at participating garden centers throughout the Wood River Valley and Chapter One Bookstore in Ketchum. Tickets are also on sale the day of the tour at each garden location.
A mix of foliage and colors are a highlight of Kim Peterson?s borders. Photo by Dana DuGan
