Life is blooming on Gabriola Island, and just in time for the 13th annual Home and Garden Tour.
Sunday’s (June 26) self-guided tour, open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., is a benefit for People for a Healthy Community, Gabriola’s social services agency that runs community support services including the food bank, Christmas Bureau, Rainbows, soup socials, gardening projects and citizen advocacy (www.phc-gabriola.org).
The 11 sites on the tour feature homes and gardens in seaside and pastoral settings. The country gardens include ponds, Gabriola’s natural rock and native vegetation, drought tolerant plants and shrubs and other flower and vegetable beds.
The creative homes were designed for comfort and to take advantage of the natural beauty of Gabriola. Passive solar energy, in-floor heating, water collection and on-site septic systems are some of the technologies demonstrated in these homes. Island musicians at some of the sites will add to the enjoyment of the day.
Artist Maureen Karagianis has donated a painting entitled ‘Morning Glories’, which will be auctioned to the highest bidder on the day of the tour. The painting will be on display at the Gabriola Commons on North Road.
Tickets for the tour are $20, and can be purchased in Nanaimo at Dig This on Rutherford Road, and Buckerfield’s in Chase River.
The Gabriola ticket outlets include Artworks at the Folklife Village on North Road, Wild Rose Garden Center and Wheelbarrow Nursery.
To reserve tickets, please call Kathryn at 250-247-7311.