I didn't understand the "Tour" I got in the mail. My first thought was, YES, I'd so love to see each of these gardens! But then, I wasn't clear if they are all to see in one day or if the invitation was for different hours and weekends? The wedsite did not help me, so I went back outside to love my own garden.
Please Clarify the "tour".....and I would also stop in the carniverous plant place while there.....

By all means, give Vintage a call to clarify.

The display garden is open in May on weekends (and maybe on one weekday?) for guests to wander around and enjoy. But the tour, IIRC, will be with Gregg Lowery personally escorting a group through those incredible gardens. If you can't make the tour, try to go to one of the open gardens to take in 4 or 5000 roses.

I'm so sorry, what I got in the mail is
"Garden Nurseries of Sonoma"
"very special guided tours of five great nursery gardens"
It does state, for Vintage Gardens:
Reserve early for Sat. May 10,10-12 & 2-4
$30 per person 20 people limit per tour.
Private Collection SALE-5 & 15 gallon pots-$10-$25

Equally included in this mail,

Sonoma Horticultural Nursery-www.sonomahort.com-Sebastopol
Garden Valley Ranch-www.gardenvalley.com-Petaluma
Paeonia-paeonia-nursery@sbcglobal.net-Sebastopol
Vintage-www.vintagegardens.com-Sebastopol

The Sonoma Horticultural Nursery should not be missed. It should be in full bloom now with all of the Azaleas and Rhodies bloomin' their lil' hearts out. They have many acres of woodland gardens and many 'secret garden' areas--it is like being in a magical forest. Garden Valley Ranch is wonderful for roses and will most likely be in full bloom in May. The tour with Gregg at Vintage would be highly informative, but as Berndoodle mentioned one can wander the gardens on their own and still swoon! I have visited all three gardens the last two years in a row and will do so again this year.

This flyer is about nurseries that also have gardens. In addition to the ones listed above, it includes Western Hills, an amazing place with fully mature rare trees, shrubs and perennials in the gardens. The tours are NOT on the same day as it would be impossible to see all of them in one day. These special tours are guided ones by their respective owners, as opposed to self-guided ones.

--Ron

Thanks Ron!
I am so sorry, I had unfolded to type, and in no way meant to leave out Western Hills!
Are you in bloom now?

Any plans to attend? Where do you like to stay when exploring the area that is easy to visit all directions?

Luanne and I are going up early this Saturday. Will probably stop in Petaluma to say 'hello' to Ron.

Carol

I would hawk the family silver to see Gregg's garden but I don't have to because it is free and the roses are extraordinary. I came away covetiing Boursaults and Spinossisimas this last time but it changes from year to year. There is no other garden like it in the country for sheer variety of antique and rare roses. None. It has as many as Rosarie de l'Haye in Paris where it's catalog is kept as a valued reference work. Try to see it if you possibly can. The hotel which I like in this area about an hour away is Hotel Mac in Pt. Richmond, old fashioned with fireplaces in the rooms running $95-$160 in s delightful old town. It is also a mile and half from my own open garden at 9am on the 10th. Just thought I'd throw that in if you are in the area.
la

Hi Bodica,

We have some species roses in bloom, some spinossissimas, but the main fields are about two weeks away. I second Luanne's statement that you pretty much have to see Gregg's garden in bloom. Plus it's in a setting that looks across to Mt. St. Helena, quite a view!

Carol, I hope to see you Saturday!

--Ron