Historical Society celebrates spring in a
big way with annual Gardens Tour

This dramatic front yard at John and Linda Perkins’ Dana Hills home is just one of the five Clayton gardens on this year’s Historical Society Gardens Tour, May 6 and 7.Other gardens feature metal art, waterfalls, patios and outdoor kitchens. With all the rain this winter, this spring’s tour promises to be especially rewarding.

The drought is over, at least for this year. And, like the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, lush and colorful spring gardens are the reward for the last rain-soaked, mud-splattered four months.

Five beautiful Clayton gardens will be strutting their spring stuff when the Clayton Historical Society holds its annual 2017 Clayton Gardens Tour May 6 and 7.

Each garden on the tour is an imaginative expression of its owner’s personality.

Included on the tour is Fran and Rich Veal’s home where the backyard is all about entertaining. Paver pathways shaded by a large redwood, a waterfall cascading over a rock wall planted with succulents and flowering plants invite friends and family to linger over morning coffee or an evening glass of wine.

At Larry and Denise Andres’ home, the backyard takes center stage. Since moving into their home in 2000, the yard has undergone a complete makeover, with Larry and Denise turning every shovel of dirt themselves. The tour of this home begins through a “secret garden” with an aviary, pond and fire pit. Fountains and plants border the back side of the pool and a barbeque kitchen sits under a large covered patio.

Low maintenance and drought resistant were top priorities when Linda and John Perkins designed their front yard.  Creative placement of shrubs and boulders along a dry creek leads to a water feature where a spire rock and metal meditating monk make a dramatic statement. The drama continues to the backyard where iron art decorates the retaining walls and fence.

Two more Clayton homes complete the self-guided Garden Tour which is the major fundraiser for the Clayton Historical Society. Proceeds are used for maintenance and upkeep of the Clayton Museum.

The Clayton Historical Society’s Gardens Tour is a wonderful opportunity for those seeking creative inspirations, design concepts and planting ideas to use in their own landscape or gardens. The tour is held rain or shine.

Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door. You can purchase pre-sale tickets with cash or check at the Clayton Historical Museum, 6101 Main St., and R&M Nursery, 6780 Marsh Creek Road, during business hours. Go online to www.claytonhistory.org and pay by credit card using your PayPal account.