BY RYAN WELLICOME
Lacombe Express
Landscape enthusiasts, botanists and garden lovers rejoice as the Lacombe & District Garden Club is holding its annual Hidden Treasures Garden Tour on July 19th.
This year’s lineup promises to be a diverse selection of unique, local yards – some with themes – that can be enjoyed by many, officials said.
“Each of the yards have different features and attractions that I think will suit a broad range of interests,” said club member Alyssa Dinter.
One particular garden boasts an array of antiques and garden art including a motorcycle and an antique washing machine, “That has been converted into a fairy garden farm.”
The garden tour pamphlet that comes with purchased tickets describes it as a garden full of “Little treasures tucked here and there” about the yard.
“(One) yard focuses on diverse and unique trees and shrubs,” said Dinter. “Many of which are not common (locally).”
Of course many yards are not complete without water features.
Koi ponds and waterfalls will be present throughout the tour.
One such waterfall pumps 10,000 gallons of water per hour and if you listen close, the sound of the water cycling from bubbling to rushing can be heard.
“The homeowners spend a lot of time really making sure their yards are prepared and ready for the tour,” said Dinter. “Most of the homeowners have been (working on) their yards for 10-20 years.”
One yard has been 19 years in the making and features a large waterfall, a Japanese tranquility garden and even a model railway making rounds through the yard.
The tour has been successful in past years but this year the format has changed.
Instead of the past method of a guided bus tour, this year will be self-guided allowing garden-goers to explore at their leisure.
One of the many meticulously planned rock pathways will enable participants to guide themselves through the stepped terraces and winding beds of flowers, shrubs and grasses.
Even the kids will be entertained as one of the gardens even contains a basketball court, chicken coop and a two-storey treehouse.
The gardens are open for business July 19th from 1 p.m. until 9 p.m.
Tickets are $20 and available for purchase at Hanna’s Seeds.
Find the Lacombe & District Garden Club on facebook or email them at lacombegardenclub@gmail.com for more information.
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