Marin County Open Days Garden Tour

On Saturday, June 4, the public is invited to tour four private gardens in Mill Valley, San Anselmo, and Tiburon through the Garden Conservancy’s Open Days program, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors may begin the self-guided tour at any of the participating gardens, where directions to each additional property will be available. Admission to each private garden is $5, Open Days are rain or shine, and no reservations are required. Call 1-888-842-2442, or visit www.opendaysprogram.org for more information.
            The Marin County Open Days tour will highlight a San Anselmo estate, Nature’s Bounty (130 Chipman Place), with stunning views of the Ross Valley. Majestic cypress trees from a previous era create a shady allée lined with coral-colored peonies. Denler Hobart Gardens created the au courant “edible garden” as a major component. Planted with espaliered apples, pears, apricots, and with whimsical garden structures supporting exuberant displays including kale, onions, carrots and lettuce, with ancient blueberry bushes rimming the outdoor dining area, the property is at the cutting edge of landscape design, yet retains all its historic features including the original stone walls and stairs, built from the same stone as the neighborhood Seminary. Also in San Anselmo is the Contemporary Contours garden (191 Hidden Valley Lane), where access through native California grasses and trees is through a carefully placed, narrow trail, which blurs the line between cultivated and wild lands. In Mill Valley at the Blithe Redwoods garden (412 West Blithedale) a contemporary style is featured with a shade-loving planting palette, horizontally staked walls, and visually contrasting paving. In Tiburon,  the Aerie garden (1 Acela Drive), special features include limestone paving, Malibu ceramics tiling, Italian terra-cotta inlays, custom ironwork, and bright flower colors from lantana, roses, bougainvillea, and lavenders. 
These Open Days gardens are featured in the 2011 Open Days Directory; a soft-cover book that includes detailed driving directions and vivid descriptions written by their owners. The directory includes garden listings in eighteen states and costs $21.95 including shipping. Visit www.opendaysprogram.org or call the Garden Conservancy toll-free at 1-888-842-2442 to order with a Visa, MasterCard or American Express, or send a check or money order to: the Garden Conservancy, P.O. Box 219, Cold Spring, NY 10516. Discount admission tickets are available as well through advanced mail order.
The 2011 Open Days program is generously sponsored by Fine Gardening magazine as its National Media Sponsor. Fine Gardening magazine brings you breathtaking design ideas, helpful techniques, and the know-how to get great results in your own garden.Enjoy one-day-only access to four exceptional private gardens in San Anselmo, Tiburon and Mill Valley, open to benefit the Garden Conservancy. No reservations required; rain or shine. Special highlights include hardscape such as Malibu ceramics tiling, Italian terra-cotta inlays, custom ironwork; as well as views of the Ross Valley, and a focus on edibles and native plants.

Visitors may begin at any of the following locations: Blithe Redwoods, 412 West Blithedale, Mill Valley; Contemporary Contours, 191 Hidden Valley Lane, San Anselmo; Nature’s Bounty, 130 Chipman Place, San Anselmo; or Aerie, 1 Acela Drive, Tiburon.