May 6 Laguna Beach "Gate & Garden Tour" Will Showcase Nine Private Gardens

LAGUNA BEACH GARDEN CLUB
NEWS RELEASE

Date: April 1, 2016
Contact: Linda Homscheid, 949-359-1480, lhomscheid@gmail.com
________________________________________

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: The Laguna Beach Garden Club will feature nine private gardens in the city's Village neighborhood -- including nearly an acre of magnificent grounds at an historic home -- on its "2016 Gate & Garden Tour" on May 6, 11 am - 4 pm. The one-mile walking tour is the club's major fundraiser, with proceeds going to scholarships, school gardens and community projects.

Tickets are $45 in advance and may be purchased online at LagunaBeachGardenClub.org and at Laguna Nursery, Dana Point Nursery, Laguna Beach Books and Laguna Drug.

The club will hold a plant sale that day as well as a raffle of items generously donated by Dana Point Nursery, Laguna Nursery, local artists, and businesses. The tour will include free refreshments, homemade cookies and a brochure with map about the gardens and points of interest.

This year's tour route marks the edge of the devastating 1993 Laguna Beach fire and showcases stunning garden growth and regrowth. To celebrate Laguna's art heritage, plein air painters have been invited to set up easels in several gardens and along the route.

"What is your garden style? Formal or funky . . . contemporary or cozy cottage . . . well-pruned or wild?" asked Nancy Englund, who has chaired the club's "Gate & Garden Tour” for 10 years. "Whatever your style, you can cherry-pick ideas from a diverse array of gardens. Don't forget your camera!" she added.

A limited number of tickets will be available on May 6 for $50 at the tour registration site: Arabella Laguna historic cottages, 506 North Coast Highway, Laguna Beach. On that day:
• Complimentary buses will shuttle ticket holders from Arabella Laguna to the first garden and back to Arabella Laguna at the end of the tour
• Volunteers will be on hand to assist tour-goers. Water and restrooms will be available along the route. Comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, and brimmed hats are advised.

For more ticket and tour information, go to LagunaBeachGardenClub.org or email Nancy Englund at nenglund@LagunaBeachGardenClub.org.

###

The Laguna Beach Garden Club has been "Growing and Giving" since 1928. The club is committed to the advancement of gardening, horticulture, ecology and conservation through education and participation in related community projects.

Photo Captions:

Photo 1: A glimpse of the largest garden on the Laguna Beach Gate & Garden Tour on May 6 -- nearly an acre of magnificent grounds at an historic home -- featuring a six-foot, metal statue of St. Francis outstretching his arms amidst cacti and succulents.

Photo 2: Laguna Village homeowners Mark and Cindy Evans (left) are opening nearly an acre of magnificent grounds at their historic home to the Gate & Garden Tour, chaired by Nancy Englund (right) of the Laguna Beach Garden Club.