FULLERTON : Tour Will Take in the Garden Spots

A rose garden, a patio planted with tropical species and a drought-resistant landscape are among the horticultural displays that will be featured in the 10th annual Open Gardens tour Sunday, sponsored by Fullerton Beautiful.

The self-guided tour will take in seven gardens, most planted by amateurs, and offer a chance for gardening buffs to compare notes on techniques.

“All of the homeowners love to talk about their gardens,” said Louise Hyneman, tour chairwoman. The sights will range from landscaped estates to small organic gardens dedicated to vegetables and flowers, she said.

Fullerton Beautiful is a nonprofit group dedicated to beautifying the city. Organizers hope to introduce participants to native species that require little water and to inspire people to experiment with new species and designs in their own yards.

One of the gardens on the tour spans two-thirds of an acre and has a cactus garden and fish ponds. It also makes use of the drought-resistant ceanothus shrub, which sports blue blooms.

“It’s really pretty, and it’s so hardy,” Hyneman said of ceanothus, a member of the lilac family.

Also featured on the tour will be a rose garden with more than 300 rose plants of 250 varieties, including the white French Lace, the multicolored Double Delight and the pink Royal Highness.

The only spot on the tour that was professionally designed is an estate planted with roses and palm, loquat, avocado, guava and pomegranate trees, among other species.

Last year’s tour attracted 400 to 600 people, organizers said. The group hopes for a similar turnout this year, they said, adding that the tour will go on unless there is a downpour.

Maps to the homes will be available Sunday morning at the farm building owned by Fullerton High School, at the southeast corner of Lemon Street and Berkeley Avenue. Touring hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; a $1 donation is suggested.