It seems that this time of year, I can not get any time to work in the garden. Before we will have finished with the Open House at Bay Laurel Nursery, we will be assembling our display at Spring in Guadalupe Gardens. These events are considerable work for those of us who exhibit, but excellent opportunities for garden enthusiasts to indulge in extraordinary horticultural experiences.

“Spring in Guadalupe Gardens” is held each year in the spring; which is located at the intersection of Spring and Taylor Streets in San Jose. This annual event features plant sales, garden tours, gardening information as well as educational and entertaining children’s activities.

Guided tours include the Historic Orchard, the Recycled Water Demonstration Garden, the Heritage Rose Garden as  well as a walking tour out to the River Park. No rose enthusiast should miss a tour of the Heritage Rose Garden,  which is one of the most (perhaps the most) complete collections of old world roses in the world! Unlike most classic rose gardens, the Heritage Rose Garden is designed for the benefit of and to preserve the roses. There is quite literally nothing like it.

The Water Wizard Festival is a new presentation of environmental education activities for children. It will involve games, experiments and activities designed to educate children about the Guadalupe River watershed, water conservation, pollution prevention, recycling and gardening.

There will be information about water-wise gardening and composting as well as free samples of compost provided by BFI. Several horticultural experts and I will be staffing the ‘Ask the Experts’ booth where garden enthusiasts may come to ask gardening questions. (I always enjoy meeting people who are so enthusiastic about horticultural activities.) The Saratoga Horticultural Foundation, the Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County, the John B. Stowell Dahlia Society, the Clara B Rees Iris Society and the Santa Clara County Rose Society will also be available for expert advise.

The vendors at Spring in Guadalupe Gardens provide a variety of specialty plants, including, but certainly not limited to vegetables, trees, roses, cactus and succulents. Those who are absolutely unable to attend the Open House at Bay Laurel Nursery will still be able to see the rhododendrons at this event. Other vendors provide decorative pots and garden ornaments. Incidentally, Tom Liggett of Liggett Roses in San Jose will also be among the vendors. He is the designer of the Heritage Rose Garden and THE authority on roses.