2017 Garden Tour - June 17 & 18

You have TWO DAYS to PEEK OVER THE FENCE at some of the finest private gardens in the Yakima Valley during the Yakima Area Arboretum's annual Garden Tour. 

 In 2017 we will be celebrating 5 beautiful East Valley gardens.  So grab your hat and walking shoes and get ready to have some fun.

Featured Gardens:

Jheri's Refuge
Jheri and Chris Ketcham
708 Country Club Drive
Yakima, WA 98901

This year's tour features the garden of the Yakima Area Arboretum's very own co-executive director Jheri Ketcham and her husband Chris.  The Ketcham's lush and private garden has been designed to showcase all of the wonderful plants that Jheri just couldn't pass up.

Pollinator Paradise Garden
Debra Kroon and Ray Yates
5006 Manor Drive
Yakima, WA 98901

Together, Debra and Ray, two longtime Master Gardeners, have transformed their once neglected garden into a beautiful habitat for birds, bees, butterflies and other pollinators. Their garden is a registered both as a National Wildlife Habitat and as a S.H.A.R.E landscape.

The Oasis Garden
Bruce and Christine Gamache
3907 Beaudry Road
Moxee, WA  98936

Bruce and Christine are the third generation of Gamache's to farm this land and have turned it into their own personal oasis of open sky, sanctuary and privacy.  Their garden is filled with an eclectic mix of native and non-native plants, artwork, antiques, a pond, and more. 

The Hop Garden
Denise and Rich Van Horn
561 Desmarais Road
Moxee, WA 98936

Hops have been harvested in this location since 1904!  The current residence, built by Denise's grandfather Mr. Demaris in 1924, is surrounded by sweeping lawn, tall trees, historic outbuildings, pool, and rose borders. As a special treat the family's restored 1930 Model A coupe and 1934 Chevrolet " hop truck " will also be on display during the tour. 

 

Tropical Retreat
Damon and Lori Thompson
615 Beacon Avenue
Yakima, WA  98901

The Thompson garden is more than just an amazing tropical retreat, with indoor pool, waterfall, exotic birds and palm trees, it also features a lovely east valley view, garden area dedicated to Lori's father, and an outdoor waterfall and koi pond with 4 season plantings.  Gorgeous!

 

On Saturday treat yourself to the afterhours "WINE-DOWN" event surrounded by the peaceful tranquility of the Gamache's "Oasis Garden" from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM.  Enjoy wine, nibbling on light snacks, and recapping your day of touring with other garden enthusiasts.  Tickets to the Wine-Down are $15 and can only be purchased through the Arboretum.     

All proceeds benefit the Yakima Area Arboretum.