People will be able to experience the beauty and creativity of Elkhorn, Sun Valley and Ketchum 'sSpur Lane neighborhoods on a walk or bike ride during the Sawtooth Botanical Garden's 15th annual Garden Tour on Saturday, July 17, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tickets for the tour are $35 for members and $45 for nonmembers.
The self-guided tour allows participants to start at any of the seven private gardens. This year, several of the gardens include must-see water features. The tour is one of the garden's largest fundraising events. This year, the Botanical Garden will combine the day with its annual Gimlets in the Garden Party, which will take place at the garden at 6 p.m. and feature cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, food by CIRO, a $10,000 raffle and a silent auction, as well as music and dancing by Kevin Kirk, Onomatopoeia and Sally Tibbs. Special guest and master of ceremonies is R.L. Rowsey from Company of Fools.
"The silent auction is the best ever," said the garden's executive director, Carter Hedberg. "There is a week stay in Buenos Aires, a private concert in the garden, airline tickets, restaurants and outdoor adventures."
< Tickets for Gimlets in the Garden are $100 and raffle tickets are $25. Combination tour and party tickets are $125 for members and $135 for nonmembers. For tickets call 726-9358.
"We find a neighborhood and develop a theme," Hedberg said. "This year the water features are stunning."
Hedberg said each garden featured on the tour will have a plant expert, musician and artist.
Neil Zussman's home on Spur Lane features warm colors of yellow, red and orange throughout the flowerbeds and pots. Some flowering perennials to note are Summer Breeze poppies and the red dianthus.
Shirley and Tom Held are native plant lovers and their garden celebrates the beauty of the valley's ecology. The property was originally owned by Florence Mohler, a pioneer in native flora in the valley. Visitors can view an assortment of prairie smoke, buckwheat, penstemens, columbine and vase flowers.
On Fairway Road in Sun Valley, Ali Long's home is a forest oasis. Despite the short growing season and foraging animals, this eclectic garden space is chock full of a variety of plant materials. Upon entering the property, a visitor can view scotch and bristlecone pine and dogwoods. A side path showcasing geranium, strawberry, currants and willows brings visitors to the backyard, which includes a fire pit and water feature.
Another Fairway home includes the garden of Gay-Lyn and Robert Blanding. This garden landscape sets an ideal stage for luxurious Sun Valley summer evenings. In the front, rusted steel containers with vinca minor and sweet woodruff are complemented by lodgpole pine and red-twig dogwood. Continue to the backyard on the thyme-covered path to enjoy perennial beds, crab apple trees and wonderful Baldy views.
The fifth garden featured will be at the Elkhorn home of Greta and Frank Magee. This garden blends seamlessly with the topography of Elkhorn. The main attraction can be found in the back of the property where a waterfall flows over the exposed hillside. Plants are nestled between the lichen-covered boulders, bringing texture, color and warmth to the rocks.
Continuing through Elkhorn to the garden of Heather and Gary Black on Grey Eagle Drive, breathtaking views are complemented by a water feature composed of a natural stream that flows into a pond and then into a swimming pool.
The last Elkhorn garden is owned by Charlotte and Herb Alexander, whose water feature is surrounded by mature trees and shade-loving plants. A side garden includes jackmanii clematis, climbing roses, phlox, dianthus and raspberries.
Participants are encouraged to carpool or ride bikes. Water and restroom facilities will be available along the tour. For details call 726-9358 or visit www.sbgarden.org.
Sabina Dana Plasse: splasse@mtexpress.com
The garden of Heather and Gary Black on Grey Eagle Drive in Elkhorn is a featured garden for the Sawtooth Botanical Garden’s 15th annual Garden Tour on Saturday, July 17.
Photo by Heather Black
