The Rotary Club of Ladysmith is set to mark its 20th annual Garden Tour this coming weekend, taking green thumb enthusiasts to eight unique and exquisite gardens in the surrounding area.
“It is one of our biggest fundraisers,” said Mary Mulrooney, who helped organize the first tour back in 1997.
All the fun starts this Sunday morning at Aggie Hall at 8:45 am with a light breakfast for $5 per person.
Participants can then grab a pamphlet with all the mapped locations and venture out for a self-guided tour from 10 am to 4 pm at homes between Cedar and just before Chemainus.
Among those on the tour is Harold and Debbie Rutti who will be inviting people to tour their two acre property on Olsen Road.
The retired couple spend upwards of nine hours a day in their garden and this is their third year being part of the tour.
“It’s a love for a vision. It’s an inspiration…it’s just wonderful to share it with other people - family, friends, the public or whomever,” Debbie said.
The Rutti’s garden includes many unique species of trees as well a metal antique carriage, log house with 76 gas stations signs.
Each of the gardens will also have a resident artist for the day displaying work for sale.
Back at Aggie Hall, there will be vendors set up and high tea served from 11:30 am to 2 p.m.
The cost per ticket is $15 in advance, $20 at the door.
All the funds raised will support local and international Rotary projects such as Transfer Beach upgrades, the world wide eradication of polio and water and sanitation projects in third world countries.