Private 3-acre English-style garden open May 4 for tour, tea

Make reservations now for an “English garden tour” complete with English-style tea service – all set in Davis and in support for a local literary event.

Stories on Stage Davis will host this special garden tour and tea, set for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 4. The tour will be guided by Jim Salyard, horticulture director of the famous Filoli Gardens. Salyard has a special connection with this local garden; while a student at UC Davis, he worked in it. Also leading the tour will be Joseph Rothleutner, director of gardens of Golden Gate Park, including the San Francisco Botanical Gardens, Conservatory of Flowers and Japanese Tea Garden.

“This local 3-acre Davis garden is a mature English Country Garden that has been on a Pence Art Gallery garden tour three times over the last 30 years,” say the organizers. “It consists of countless rooms each with a different personality, such as the Elderberry room – created under the canopy of a mature elderberry tree – or the Wellington Room – created by a rectangular planting of redwood trees that are pruned into a wall as the English frequently do.

“This year, the owner – recognizing the California water problems – removed a very large front lawn and has established a low water garden,” they added. “While it is in its infancy, it should be inspirational. ... Finally, the Davis Flower Arrangers will be placing amazing bouquets throughout the garden.”

Among the many unusual featured plants: 6-foot-tall calla lilies with blooms more than 1 foot across.

Following the tour, patrons will enjoy a sit-down English tea service and raffle. (Prizes include some of those giant lilies as well as potted succulents.)

Guests also will be treated to a reading by Tim Gaffaney, Stories on Stage Davis casting director, of an original story. That’s what Stories on Stage is all about – dramatic readings of original stories by (often) local writers.

“Stories on Stage Davis is an event that started over 10 years ago,” the organizers explain. “They present emerging and established authors then hire actors to read the selections. The combination of brilliant writing and brilliant acting has produced some magical evenings. Over the years, we have presented a number of best selling authors, plus many emerging authors who are now established

authors.”

Tickets are $50 apiece and advance reservations are a must. The organizers do this event the old-fashioned way: Patrons need to mail a check to get the tickets.

Mail your check, made out to “Stories on Stage Davis,” to English Garden Tour, 36891 Russell Blvd., Davis, CA 95616. With your payment, please include your name, phone number, email and address.