Times Editor to Host Tours of Area Gardens on PBS

Los Angeles Times Garden Editor Robert Smaus tours some of Southern California’s most spectacular gardens as July host of the long-running PBS series “The Victory Garden.”

The first visit, on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. (KCET), will be Montecito’s Casa del Herrero with its rich influence of Spanish culture.

Also featured will be:

* July 10: Santa Barbara’s Fraser Garden, defined by fields of lavender, and an artful kitchen garden of vegetables.

* July 17: The Anderson Garden in Vista, known for its magnificent succulent collection.

* July 24: A look at bromeliads in Vista, home to the largest U.S. grower of bromeliads, which are a member of the pineapple family and popular for adding color to interior design.

* July 31: The Vanderlip Garden in Palos Verdes, 12 hillside acres of olive and cypress trees, water designs and Roman statues.

Smaus is regional correspondent for “The Victory Garden,” contributing on an occasional basis, and this is the show’s first focused look at California gardens. “We hope to do more in the future,” said spokeswoman Kimberly Cotter.