Five private gardens highlight Gamble tour this weekend Five private gardens highlight Gamble tour this weekend (April 27, 2005)

By Jane Knoerle

Almanac Lifestyles Editor

Don't put away your garden hat and walking shoes just yet. Another garden tour is coming up this weekend.

"Special Gardens for a Special Year," the 20th annual spring garden tour sponsored by Gamble Garden, takes place Friday and Saturday, April 29 and 30. In addition to a tour of five private Palo Alto gardens, there will be a plant sale, boutique, luncheon and tour of Gamble Garden.

Three of the five gardens are located within walking distance of Gamble Garden; the other two, within walking distance of each other, are located in Crescent Park.

Each garden has a different theme:

** "A Traditional Garden with Memories of the Past." Designed by Mary Gordon, the garden has a pond, waterfall and meandering paths on the site of a 50-year-old Tudor house.

** "Southwestern Living." Designed by Laurie Calloway, the garden combines brilliant colors, drought-tolerant plants, and a waterfall.

** "Modern Mediterranean." The garden, designed by Don Boos, has a gazebo, courtyard fountain, statuary and herb garden.

** "Tropical Paradise." A series of garden rooms -- filled with banana trees, palms, bougainvillea and other tropical plants -- were designed by the architect/owner.

** "English Garden." The site of a Tudor mansion has topiaries, a perennial bed, knot gardens, trellises, herb bed, even a red phone booth. It's a creation of owner/designer Susan Ogle.

Lunch will be served al fresco on the Gamble Garden grounds from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cost is $18, with advance reservations required.

Gamble Garden's newly installed low-water-use native garden adjacent to Gamble will be open to visitors.
INFORMATION

Gamble Garden tour of five private Palo Alto gardens, Friday and Saturday, April 29-30, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tour starts at Gamble Garden, 1431 Waverley St., Palo Alto. Non-members tickets: $30 in advance, $35 the day of the tour, available only at Gamble Garden. Luncheon tickets: $18 prepaid. Call 329-1356 or visit gamblegarden.org.

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