For the past twenty-seven years, Friends of Robinson Gardens has organized The Garden Tour to raise funds for The Virginia Robinson Gardens. This event is truly unique in that ticket holders have the opportunity to visit selected private home gardens rarely seen by the public. The day peaks mid-day with a delicious catered luncheon at the Virginia Robinson Gardens, where the Friends honor a member of the community as the Grand Marshall. Throughout the estate ticket holders can view the mansion’s historical rooms uniquely embellished by premier interior designers and florists. The luncheon program includes a fashion show of latest looks as well as an opportunity to purchase unique gifts at our boutique located on the tennis courts.

This year The Garden Tour will take place on May 16, 2015. The theme aptly titled “Masterpiece” (alluding to Masterpiece Theater program “Downton Abbey”) celebrates British history and culture. The Friends of Robinson Gardens are thrilled to be organizing an event full of history and fresh blooms (new roses have been ordered!).

Eye of the Day Garden Design Center will be supplying some garden decor including pottery, statuary, and outdoor furniture. Be sure to look for them on the tour.

For more info, visit Virginia Robinson Gardens.

BOOKS TO READ BY THE FIRE THIS WINTER

Suzi Freitas gives her recommendations for books to cozy up to this winter. For our readers, we’re also doing a special giveaway. Enter below by visiting our Facebook page or following us on Twitter  to win a copy of The Drunken Botanist and cocoa powder from famed French luxury baker and sweets maker, Laduree. The perfect treat while reading a book this winter.*

 

1. Wicked Plants: The Weed That Killed Lincoln’s Mother and Other Botanical Atrocities, By Amy Stewart

Stewart takes on over two hundred of Mother Nature’s most appalling children in an A to Z description of plants that kill, maim, intoxicate, and otherwise offend. Scary botanical illustrations create a portrait of the evildoers that may be living in your own backyard. This collection of bloodcurdling botany will frighten, entertain and educate even the most courageous gardeners. This book would provide perfect fireside reading on a cold winter evening.

 2. The Drunken Botanist, By Amy Stewart

Also by Amy Stewart (can’t get enough of her), The Drunken Botanist details the botanical history, science and chemistry of over 150 plants, flowers, trees and fruits. Many surprising and somewhat odd plants have been fermented or distilled, in fact every great drink starts with a plant. For example, Sake: rice, Scotch: barley, Gin: juniper. One of the most interesting sections regards the thirty-year court battle over Angostura bitters and its “secret” recipe, which technically may not even contain bark from the Angostura tree. The book includes over fifty drink recipes along with growing advice for gardeners, making it a great gift for gardeners/cocktail lovers or gardeners or cocktail lovers.

 

3. Mister Owita’s Guide to Gardening: How I Learned the Unexpected Joy of a Green Thumb and an Open Heart, By Carol Wall

The author’s neighbor, Mister Owita, helps her to transform her outlook on life following a series of personal misfortunes, and to allow herself to appreciate her lush backyard oasis. Through Owita’s extensive horticultural education, kindness and a variety of mutual interests, the pair becomes inseparable while they perform miracles on Wall’s property and her life.

 

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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2. Like Us on Facebook or Follow us on Twitter. Each one is an entry to the giveaway*

*Giveaway Open to U.S. Residents Only, 18 Years Old and Over.

Giveaway Ends December 31, 2014.

Starting this Wednesday, March 19th and running through the rest of the week and weekend, Eye of the Day will be exhibiting fine terra cotta garden pottery and Fermob outdoor furniture in a booth at the San Francisco Flower and Garden Show at the San Mateo Event Center.

The fun starts at the entry, where Eye of the Day’s authentic European pieces will be incorporated into the display garden that lines the path leading into the main exhibit hall. Designed by the show’s director Chris Woods. A native of England and now a U.S. citizen, Woods has worked in the garden world as a director and designer for over thirty years. He started his career at the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew, where he was trained as a horticulturist.

After moving to the United States and occupying several prestigious positions in the garden world, he was commissioned by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society to design the central feature for the Philadelphia International Flower Show 2013. The SFFGS is pleased to have him on board, and the entry gardens–complete with Eye of the Day’s beautiful containers–are sure to be spectacular.