What began as me and my friend Susan Vandendriesse’s idea over a cup of coffee has blossomed into an event we are pleased to say has become a perennial La Jolla favorite. Our reason for starting the Secret Garden Tour, set this year for Saturday, May 16, was to make people aware of the La Jolla Historical Society and its efforts to preserve our unique seaside community. Now in its 17th year, the tour will take place on Saturday, May 16, with benefits going to the society. Susan and I are honored to have been chosen this year’s honorary chairs – we nurtured the tour as a seedling and are delighted to see how nicely it has grown. In addition to the garden tour, there will be a Secret Garden Boutique and Gift Faire on the grounds of Wisteria Cottage, at 780 Prospect St. The faire will be open to the public and will feature gardening accessories, plants, vintage finds and an assortment of gifts for home and garden. This also makes it a great time to visit the newly restored cottage, now the society’s home. This year’s tour poster features a painting by artist Dot Renshaw, named “Jacaranda Bliss,” which highlights a stunning jacaranda tree from a magical garden on last year’s tour. Because of the warm weather we’ve had this year, the jacarandas are in full bloom, a little earlier than usual. The clouds of purple blossoms on these magnificent trees reminds me of the Village Garden Clubs program that plants jacarandas throughout San Diego. For a $50 donation, you can have a tree planted in memory or in honor of someone special, or you can simply contribute to the beautification of San Diego. Thousands of jacaranda trees have been planted since the program was started 28 years ago. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to celebrate spring with us in some of La Jolla’s most beautiful cherished gardens, where you will also be treated to artists at work painting garden scenes, live music and the designers’ attractive displays. One of the artist’s paintings from this year will be chosen to grace the 2016 poster. Go to the society’s website at LaJollaHistory.org or call (858) 459-5335 for more information on making your tour reservations. For the Jacaranda Tree Planting Program, contact [email protected] or call (858) 750-2106. Linda Marrone is a Realtor with Coldwell Banker in La Jolla. Pictures from her historic garden have appeared in local and national magazines.
