No amount of overcast skies could stop garden lovers from enjoying the Atwater Garden Club’s tour last Saturday. Fans of foliage bounced from house to house, crossing Atwater to share in a variety of plant-based visions.
The garden tour is an annual staple of the Atwater Garden Club, but this year’s “September Splendor” event was a departure from the usual April tour. Admission to the tour gave attendees the addresses for five local homes, each with a distinctive garden. Guests were permitted to roam the properties, with homeowners available to answer questions.
The tour offered much in the way of variety. “Whimsical Gardens” featured sprawling gardens with plenty of diversity. Additionally, the owner of Delma’s Farms sold honey produced by her own bees, and one needed only follow the sound of doves to find an aviary.
The owner, Diane Delmas, had been building her garden since around 1980: “Sometimes it takes from daylight to dark, but I love being outside and I love working in the yard. It’s all organic, and the plants are for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.”
The next stop on the tour was a complete aesthetic shift. Rather than a country oasis, visitors were greeted with an abundance of water and an expertly manicured poolside garden. “Lakefront House” was located on Shaffer Lakes, a stunning backdrop for Dee Heller’s collection of plants and fountains.
The two garden’s that followed, “Simple Relaxation” and “Container Gardening in the City” shared both a street and a love for container gardening. The second took visitors on a journey with areas of the garden themed to different regions, such as Mexico, Napa, Yosemite, and the seaside.
The final stop of the tour was none other than Atwater’s famed Bloss Mansion. The home was open for guests to tour when not enjoying the home’s landscaping and refreshments provided. Near the end of the event, participants enjoyed a raffle, as well as the opportunity to buy from local vendors.
The tour was just one part of Atwater Garden Club’s overall mission to bring gardeners together. They hold regular meetings where members can share their experiences and both give and get advice on all things gardening.
Feel like you’re missing out? The next garden tour will be on the third Wednesday of April, where local gardens can be appreciated in their full spring glory.