Jackie Drysdale has organized a tour of 10 remarkable and ornamental Rossland gardens for July 23, from 9:30 a.m. until 2 p.m.
The $6 admission will go to the Rossland Museum, but also pays for a map of the 10 gardens. Until then, the gardens will remain a secret, with the exception of Drysdale's garden where she intends to serve ice tea, coffee, and squares while Lois and Laura's flute duets waft through the flowers.
When the Rossland News caught up with Drysdale, she was out in the garden weeding.
"It's not easy to get people to put their place on a garden tour," she said. People are away, or think their garden's not good enough.
"Even when they have such a beautiful garden that would interest so many people, you have to talk them into it."
There are so many more than 10 great gardens in Rossland, "but 10 is as many as we can fit in," Drysdale lamented.
But she found 10, a wide diversity of gardens "scattered throughout the community," from one with chickens and vegetables to one with xeriscaped rock gardens.
"There's so much variety, but that's Rossland all over again, isn't it?" Drysdale laughed.
Drysdale said the emphasis was flower gardens. "It just so happens that some people on our tour have everything."
Most of the gardens are well established. Besides encountering perennials that are unusual in Rossland, Drysdale recommended the tour to see what is blooming and flourishing here, at this time.
"Being a gardener, I love to look at people's gardens," Drysdale said. "There's so much to learn, so much beauty, and everyone has tips."
"One garden is totally chemical free. This gal has, I think, good tips and certainly a lot of experience," she said.
"I can't say enough about the people who have agreed to put their garden in the tour," Drysdale continued. "They've already put so much time into their gardens, and they'll be putting in that extra touch."
Some wish the tour was in the spring, when they feel their garden looks the best, but "any gardener knows a garden is always a work in progress," Drysdale said. "Plants change height each year, they bloom at different times. Trees grow. It's an ongoing thing. This is a really good snap shot of July 23."
Drysdale was delighted that two flautists will play in her garden during the tour. "The sound is so sweet, it's ethereal," she said, "I'm just so thrilled."
She'll also serve refreshments during the tour, from 9:30 to 2 p.m., and then will host a wrap up celebration for all the gardeners.