The Tours are Back

Summer is the season of glory for many gardens, and is usually the time when we are afforded the opportunity to peak into the gardening skills and successes of others through a full slate of garden tours and plant society shows. We’re still not back to a normal calendar of events, but gradually our favorite tours and plant sales are returning to us. We’ve highlighted a few on this page, with more summarized on our calendar of Upcoming Events on page 22. Be sure to check our online calendar of events, where we’ll have the flexibility to add information as it comes to us over the summer.

St. Louis Water Garden Society members are excited to welcome you to their beautiful water features they have been preparing this spring and summer for the 21st Annual Pond-O-Rama Tour. Each year there are new gardens and ponds to enjoy. You can always find new plants, fish, and hidden surprises around every corner. There is always something new to see, get great ideas, and this year is no exception! For Pond-O-Rama veterans, the annual pond and water garden tour is a chance for them to spread the word about water gardening and the St Louis Water Garden Society, to share their own talents and hard work, and to help raise funds for the Society’s community service project, the lily ponds at Forest Park’s Jewel Box. The tour also helps support other programs for the Society throughout the year. This year’s tour will feature 25 gardens over the two days. There are quite a few new gardens on tour, and those returning from previous years always have something new to share. All are SLWGS members who have opened their private gardens to the public for this tour. For some of our hosts, Pond-O-Rama simply has become what you do on the weekend after Father’s Day every year. One of our members has been on the tour every year since the very first PondO-Rama tour and they wouldn’t miss it. They love sharing their water feature and talking to the many visitors that day. Our hosts and members meet people not only from the Metro area, but many visitors plan their trip and come from out-of-town each year. Society members are from all walks of life, and they all have the desire to share their passion for water gardening, gardens, and the beautiful places that they have created. As the seasons change, so do our ponds and gardens. June is optimum for the many gorgeous flowers, koi, goldfish, and aquatic plants in bloom. The joy of owning a pond inspires one to create beautiful landscapes, find that really unique fish, or the one treasured item to place near or in the water feature. The soothing sight of water flowing and cascading down a waterfall and the gentle sounds of water falling on the rocks is a wonderful reason to have a water garden. There is a water feature of every size and design that is unique to your special place. This year 13 ponds will be open on Saturday, June 26; the remaining 12 will be available on Sunday, June 27. Each location will be on the tour only one of the two days, from 9-5 pm; and the $15 ticket covers both days. This year there is a special discount to groups of 10 or more, the tickets are only $10 each. The ticket booklet has maps and driving directions and water feature information for the self-guided tour. For more information about the tour, a list of ticket-selling locations or to order tickets call (800) 945-7217 or visit the website of the St. Louis Water Garden Society, .

The 2021 Home Grown Farm Tour and Field Dinner will be held Saturday, August 28th. The theme is “Washington County Beef: Past, Present & Future.” The MO Cattlemen’s Assn. are cooking steak, beans & slaw and the picnic will include locally grown vegetables and desserts. The cost will include picnic basket, wine glasses, appetizers and full country picnic, with beverages included, served on a tented field, at socially distanced tables, cost is $80 for a basket for two. Supports local farmers and agriculture students through scholarships. Reservations required, limited seating! Call 573-438-8555 or dbust@wcpartnership.org.

Join us on a tour of water gardens around St. Louis! From the DIY-er to professionally built, these hosts are opening their water features for your inspiration! You can choose the bus tour or

self-guided to visit these beautiful oases around St. Louis. Ask the hosts your questions, take some pictures, sit on a bench and enjoy the view! The purpose of the tour is to raise money for a worthy charity. As of this writing details haven’t been determined. Tickets include a seat on the bus, breakfast at one of the beautiful gardens, lunch at another host garden, and dinner at the last water feature on the tour. The buses begin and end at Chalily. Tickets will be available later in the summer in store at Chalily or online at chalily.com.

Remember, for other summer events, please check out our online calendar at gatewaygardener.com/events, where we’ll add information about tours, plant sales, classes and other events that come to us after publishing this issue.

21st Annual Pond-O-Rama Tour June 26 & 27, 2021 - 9 am -5 pm The St. Louis Water Garden Society’s tour will be the most spectacular garden tour of the summer. Tickets are just $15 for both days! Groups of 10—$10.