The Friends of the Hailey Public Library present its annual benefit garden tour, "Our Neighbors' Gardens," Saturday, July 18, in the Della View neighborhood of Hailey.
Della View is unique for a garden tour because of the variety of landscapes, which include wetlands, woodlands and shady areas. The tour is located west of the LDS Church.
"It was really exciting to see gardens get in shape," said Gretchen Wagner, chairwoman of the tour. "What is unique about Della View is that it is surrounded by wetlands and woodlands."
The library is holding the tour later than normal this year. Due to the unprecedented amount of rainfall in June, gardens are now big and bushy. In addition, the tour will have a festival-like atmosphere this year with live music, several kid-friendly activities and tasty treats, as well as talks by master gardeners and more.
"We have a flute duet, a violinist, a chamber music trio and an interactive percussion and guitar group in Alison Higdon's yard," Wagner said. "The music is spaced out around the neighborhood so that you can follow your ears to the next garden."
The tour includes seven gardens and each site has specific attributes to explore. Visitors can learn about "Trout Friendly Lawns" at the home of John and Diane Kahm, "the Woodland Realm." "The Serenity Meadow" at the home of Cheri and Tom Drougas will include story-time and hors d'oeuvres by Rasberry's. The garden of Kristen and Jamie Coulter will present an all-white garden, "A Vision in White," with music by Pat Robinson.
Other gardens on tour include the home of the Higdon Boice family and its garden "Shangri La," with music by Jason Vontner and a scavenger hunt. Katherine Sheldon and Andy Andrews' garden, "A Labor of Love," includes a pruning demonstration. Peter and Maggie Schmid's garden, "The Phoenix," will offer tips on weed control. Finally, Cecile and Trent Jones' garden, "Wetland Wonderland," is next to protected wetlands and will include a flute duet.
The tour will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 and will be available at the Ketchum and Hailey farmers' markets, at any home on the tour and the Hailey Public Library. Bikes are welcome but leave pets at home.
For details, call 788-2036.
Sabina Dana Plasse: splasse@mtexpress.com
Kristen and Jamie Coulter will present their all-white garden, “A Vision in White,” for the Hailey Public Library’s 2009 garden tour in Della View. Photo by
