THE COASTAL GARDENER:In spring, garden tours bloom

Grab your hat, put on some comfortable shoes and don’t forget your camera. Over the next six weeks, some of the best home gardens in Southern California will be open for you to visit and enjoy. In order of the calendar, here’s a list of some of the best. See you there.

SUNDAY

PACIFIC PALISADES GARDEN TOUR

This annual tour includes seven picturesque gardens from the hills of Brentwood all the way to the Pacific Ocean with a plant sale included. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 on the day of the tour, which lasts from 1 to 5 p.m. For tickets and information, call (310) 454-7826 or (310) 476-1318.

PASADENA ART-OF-THE-GARDEN TOUR

The Creative Arts Group’s annual tour of five Pasadena estates showcasing the finest landscape architecture and design as well as a garden art show is from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 day of the tour. Call (626) 355-8350, or go to www.creativeartsgroup.org.

APRIL 28

SANTA MONICA GREEN GARDENS TOUR

This third annual event, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. this year, displays nine beautiful gardens that also demonstrate sustainable practices and plants appropriate for our local climate. Advance tickets are $25 to $30, $40 on the day of the tour. A docent-led tour is also available. www.virginiaavenueproject.org or call (310) 264-4224.

APRIL 28 AND 29

FLORAL PARK ANNUAL HOME & GARDEN TOUR

Tour several homes in the classic Floral Park neighborhood of old Santa Ana from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tour vintage homes on tree-lined streets dating from the 1920s to the 1950s. Saturday’s tour will culminate at the Courtyard at the Bowers Museum with a special presentation. Tickets are $20 in advance by mail, or $25 on the day of the tour. Call (714) 567-4795 or go to www.floral-park.com.

THEODORE PAYNE FOUNDATION TOUR

The fourth annual California Native Plant Garden Tour, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., is a journey through 30 Los Angeles-area gardens containing mostly native plants. Saturday evening will include a lecture about gardening for butterflies by Chris and Trish Meyer at the Barnsdall Gallery Theatre in Hollywood. The cost is $20 per person. Get tickets at www.theodorepayne.org or call (818) 768-1802.

MAY 3

LAGUNA BEACH GARDEN CLUB SPRING GARDEN TOUR

One of my favorite garden tours, this one is hosted and sponsored by friendly and enthusiastic gardeners and plant enthusiasts. This year’s walking tour, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., is a stroll through almost a dozen private gardens in an old neighborhood with historic cottages and funky seaside charm on quiet streets in South Village. In addition to the featured gardens, you will pass several other historic homes and fine gardens. Advance tickets are $25 and limited to 500. It will sell out early! Buy tickets online at www.lagunabeachgardenclub.org.

MAY 5

NATIVE PLANT GARDEN TOUR

After a three-year hiatus, the local chapter of the California Native Plant Society, with assistance from the Audubon Society, again offers a tour of gardens that showcase California native plants. Some gardens incorporate natives without sacrificing fruit trees and vegetable gardens. Others show mature groupings of native plants. Gardens are selected from throughout Orange County. The free tour runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Register and obtain addresses at www.occnps.org.

VENICE GARDEN AND HOME TOUR

A self-guided walking tour through historic, walk-only streets to see 30 charming bungalows with trailing roses and intimate pocket gardens, as well as sleek contemporary homes showcasing art and an outdoor-indoor lifestyle. This tour, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., has earned its reputation as highly anticipated, inspiring and rewarding. Tickets are $70 at the door, or $60 in advance. Go to www.venicegardentour.org or (310) 821-1857.

MAY 5 AND 6

MARY LOU HEARD MEMORIAL GARDEN TOUR

Forty-seven wonderful, home-grown gardens over a two-day period, including several in coastal locations. Saturday’s 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. tour includes gardens in Long Beach, Cypress, Seal Beach, Cerritos, Westminster, Huntington Beach and Fountain Valley. Sunday’s schedule includes stops in Orange, Tustin, Yorba Linda, Anaheim, Santa Ana, Corona del Mar, Mission Viejo, San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente. On this tour, it’s not about size, or money, or even horticultural prowess — it’s about who each gardener is and the message each wants to share with the world. Donations are accepted at each garden. Sunday’s tour is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Details are at www.heardsgardentour.com or (714) 904-0303.

MAY 6

SHERMAN LIBRARY GARDEN TOUR

Now in its 11th year, this is always a delightful tour of Corona del Mar and Newport Beach gardens. This year’s tour includes five gardens. Be sure to stop at Sherman Gardens during the day. Advance tickets are $30, $35 day of. Tickets for the tour, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., are available at the Sherman Gardens gift shop or call (949) 673-2261. For more, go to www.slgardens.org.

MAY 17

TUSTIN GARDEN CLUB SPRING GARDEN TOUR

In its 12th year, this year’s tour, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., features four homes: an inviting courtyard garden embraced by a wheel of color; a perennial garden affectionately referred to as the red, white and blue house; a grand estate reminiscent of old California; and a home garden inspired by the vibrant colors and artistry of Santa Fe. For an additional fee, there will be a catered luncheon at an original Lemon Heights estate with a hilltop garden overlooking magnificent roses. The cost is $20 before May 12, $25 after. Go to www.tgctour.com for more.

MAY 19

ROSE SOCIETY OF SADDLEBACK MOUNTAIN GARDEN TOUR

Six exceptional gardens in the San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente areas, with a special emphasis on roses. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 after May 10. The tour is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets and information: (949) 643-8487 or (949) 362-0844.

JUNE 9

SAN CLEMENTE GARDEN CLUB GARDEN TOUR

A self-guided tour of six wonderful San Clemente gardens. Tickets are $20 each if purchased before June 1, $25 on the day of the tour. A box lunch is also available for $10. For more, call (949) 498-2818 or go to www.sanclementegardenclub.com.

ASK RON

I want to grow the tiny little grapes that the gourmet markets call champagne grapes, but I can’t find them for sale anywhere. What’s the deal?

BROOKE

Newport Beach

This is a cute little grape, which makes a nice garnish, especially in a mixed fruit presentation or draped over the edge of a wine glass. They are deliciously sweet and tasty. When dried, these also make excellent raisins, sometimes sold under the name Zante Currants. The true commercial name of the grape you’re asking about is Black Corinth. It is a very old heirloom variety originating in Greece. Like other European grapes, Black Corinth can be grown here in Orange County. Give it a sunny, hot area with especially good air circulation, as it can be susceptible to powdery mildew.

your toughest gardening questions, and the expert nursery staff at Roger’s Gardens will come up with an answer. Please include your name, phone number and city, and limit queries to 30 words or fewer. E-mail stumpthegardener@ rogersgardens.com, or send to Plant Talk at Roger’s Gardens, 2301 San Joaquin Hills Road, Corona del Mar, CA 92625.