SBG’s 21st Garden Tour
BY YANNA LANTZ
Visit six of the Wood River Valley’s most spectacular gardens during the Sawtooth Botanical Garden’s 21st annual Garden Tour. This botanical event will take place on Saturday, July 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at six gardens north of Ketchum.
“Garden tours are a typical fundraiser that botanical gardens do for their organization,” explained Mary Wilson, chair of this year’s Garden Tour. “We want to connect the gardens to the community and allow people to see what others do in their gardens and to become inspired by what they see.”
This year’s gardens include The Matthiesen Garden (20 Moose Lane), The Dawson Garden (13505 Hwy. 75), The Flanigan Garden (105 Old Ranch Road), The Klahr & Melly Garden (105 Black Bear Road), The Griffith Garden (225 Eagle Creek Loop) and The Harlig Garden (13366 Hwy. 75).
Wilson is extremely excited about the diversity of gardens in this year’s tour.
“We have some small gardens, large gardens, vegetable gardens, ponds, beautiful vistas, plus some unique details in each garden,” she said. “I can’t wait for people to see what can be done in probably the most challenging section of the Wood River Valley.”
Each garden and home will have knowledgeable plant experts on hand to discuss the botany, as well as painters and musicians. Artists that will be onsite include Ue Coe, Gabe Embler, Kim Howard, Maureen Jenner, Michael Olenick, Kathryn Riedinger and Susan Stanek Winget. Featured musicians include Dr. Thomas Archie, Heidi Bynum & Friends, Minette Broschofsky & Friends, Mila Lyon, Sue Mendelsohn, Taul Paul & the Hip Replacements and Jim Watkinson.
“The musicians and artists add a whole other dimension to the experience,” Wilson said. “It’s nice to be wandering through a garden and hear live music, and also to see an artist creating a piece of art from the garden. It makes the day very alive.”
Additionally, this year the Garden Tour will have a KB’s food truck available for attendees to grab a quick lunch. Refreshments will also be provided at each location.
“For the first time,” said Wilson, “this year we have Bellissimo, Sun Valley Garden Center and Ketchum Kitchens doing table settings in each of the gardens to add a little something extra.”
Attendees can start the tour in any of the gardens. Those picking up pre-purchased tickets at will call, or those who are buying tickets the day of the event with a credit card, are required to start the day at Garden A: The Matthiesen Garden (20 Moose Lane). Those paying with cash or check can begin their tour at any of the six gardens.
“One of the things we are extremely grateful for is that these homeowners open their homes to the people of the community and really make this a community event,” Wilson said. “If you are from out of town, this event is really fun because you get to feel the community spirit. Come and have fun; it’s going to be a blast!”
Advanced ticket sales end July 14; $20 for members and $25 for nonmembers. Day-of sales will increase to $25 for members and $30 for nonmembers. For more information about the Sawtooth Botanical Garden’s 21st annual Garden Tour visit www.sbgarden.org or call (208) 726-9358.