Xeric Garden TourWhat could be more fun than a xeric garden tour with a group of like-minded people, whether it's a birding group or a garden club, to an inspiring and exciting garden? It's started - the interest is building, and more and more gardeners and non-gardeners alike are getting the bug - the xeric gardening bug, that is. Finding xeric gardens to tour is the tough part. Here's a few ideas of how to find them, and what to do once you've located them. Seeking Gardens to TourInternet searches of your area, particularly your town or city website, can yield a few clues. Look in the agricultural or business sections and see if there are any farms, gardens or nurseries that you could visit or phone or a website you can check.Miniature landscapes and railways are popular destinations to explore, and fun for kids of all ages from one to ninety. The local ministry of environment staff may have ideas too, as well as anyone working in the field of government inspections of plants such as the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Also try the local Chamber of Commerce. It helps to have a bit of rapport with these people as they talk to a lot of people in the course of their business and have a lot of contacts. You may be lucky enough to have a research station near you. If you're extremely lucky, they'll have a xeric garden open to the public to tour. Once you have some idea of what's out there, get to know some of the xeric gardeners and see if they're amenable to a visit, and then arrange a day to go on your tour. These phrases will give you an idea of their philosophy, and if it's a good fit for your tour. 
If the person you're talking to gets off on a tangent about any of these topics, you know you're in the right place! Garden Tour EtiquetteKeep your group small in size, no more than eight to ten people, unless you check first to see what the garden can hold. Read what Ken Druse, one of my favorite authors has to say about garden tour etiquette.Ask if you can photograph the garden, they'll probably say yes, but it's only polite to ask. Please don't smoke. As any non-smoker can attest, it's very unpleasant to be inundated with drifting smoke. Everyone in your group should be dressed appropriately (no high heeled shoes) and it helps to keep to earth toned colours so you won't clash with any blooming plants - this is especially important if you want to be photographed with your group. Preferred times of year would be after the initial spring rush as then the gardener may have more time to take you on the tour personally. There's nothing like the enthusiasm of the gardener to spur you to new heights of inspiration. Don't insist on telling the gardener all about every plant you have in your garden, and how wonderful it all is. Concentrate you attention and comments on the xeric garden you're touring. Please don't take cuttings - especially if this is a nursery. In most cases you can hint around the question by asking if the gardener knows of a source for that plant, and they'll happily provide you with either the source or the cutting. Thank your host as you leave, and take all your belongings with you including trash. Don't forget to take the inspiration too, and implement some of your new ideas in your own xeric garden.
Would you like to tour my xeric garden? I'd love to have you visit, please contact me to book your tour. What was the Best Garden you have ever Toured?Do you have a favorite garden (it can even be your own)? Share it! What Other Visitors Have SaidClick below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...
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