Mary Lou Heard garden tour set for May 4-5
Need some garden inspiration?
The Mary Lou Memorial Garden Tour board of directors has set this year’s tour for the weekend of May 4-5, featuring 39 gardens from Long Beach to San Clemente, including several from Fountain Valley.
The garden tour is a yearly, self-guided charity event held by the Mary Lou Heard Foundation, a nonprofit organization. Its mission is to provide an opportunity for the public to enjoy the efforts and hard work of local gardeners and their residential landscapes.
Some homes are available for touring both Saturday and Sunday and others are Saturday only.
There is no charge to take the tour. Donations received at the host gardens on tour days will go to the Sheepfold, a charity that serves and shelters women in crisis and their children.
More information: www.heardsgardentour.com.
Here’s a look at Fountain Valley homes on this year’s tour and the day or days it is open:
Jane Kamenstar
9765 Red River Circle
Saturday
Home to more than 130 rose bushes and a wide range of fruit trees, herbs and vegetables, Jane Kamenstar’s garden is designed around the idea that gardens are extensions of living space.
This garden wraps around the house and features two rose gardens, one open to the street and the other tucked away behind a custom gate and curving fence. The formal rose garden contains several iron sculptures and a flowing corner fountain.
Continuing around the house you enter a formal sitting and dining area that is bordered by fruit trees and flowers that lend privacy and divide the outdoor rooms. The entire back fence of the property is painted to create an illusion of depth and to merge into the garden and skyline.
The back garden surrounds an informal dining and outdoor cooking area. The "Library Garden” contains a koi pond encircled by a formal rose and vegetable garden. A sitting area under a sprawling grapefruit tree overlooks a water lily pond.
Kathy and Lynn Ericksen
8557 Phoenix Ave.
Saturday
Kathy’s garden is her interpretation of an English garden and a rosarian’s delight. It is abundant with critters, vibrant colors and aromatic scents. As you enter the front, you will find a variety of roses, a mixture of dahlias, irises and seasonal annuals.
She also shares a little patch of her neighbor's front flower bed to grow some organic veggies. The sitting area out front is a pleasant gathering place for neighbors and friends to share a glass of wine while enjoying the view.
The back yard is also an English flair with an Italian-style fountain surrounded by azaleas, calla lilies and hydrangeas on the west side. In the early morning, you will find squirrels and birds stopping by for a drink. Bird houses and feeders have been placed throughout the garden for bird watching. While strolling through, stop and take a look at the lovely Lady Gouldians in the aviary.
Feel free to sit a bit and enjoy the birds, flowers, and squirrels.
Helen and Denny Bolen
8761 La Zana Ct Fountain Valley,
Saturday, Sunday
The Bolens’ cottage welcomes you with bright flowers and undulating walks of brick and stone bordered by split-rail fences. At the front door, there’s a courtyard replete with vines, roses and a fairy garden.
The property features an English garden look with a wide variety of flowers and an array of critters (i.e. pretend critters).
There are swings in the backyard. They are covered with bower vines and are very inviting to young and old alike. You will find beautiful shades of amaryllis and a variety of clematis. Helen always says that the Queen of the Garden is our spider lily.
Debbie Freeman
9109 Cardinal Ave.
Saturday
Walk out of the big city and enter through a white picket fence and bower arch of pink roses to find yourself in an English garden featuring hydrangeas, impatiens, daisies, tulips, roses, milk weed and geraniums.
A full shade tree arbor bordered by white wooden lawn furniture promising hours of conversation and relaxation. For privacy you can stroll into a quiet tropical back yard with mature palm trees, many shades of plumeria, a 35-year-old large fern, marigolds and an orchard including olallie berries the grandkids love to pick.
This relaxing setting includes a playhouse with bench and shade tree, a barbecue fire pit and beautiful brickwork, a huge waterfall, bar and green lawn surrounded by flower beds and lots of succulents and colors.
