After year off, Gardens of the Hills tour is back

The Gardens of the Hills tour will feature six showstopper gardens in El Dorado Hills. Proceeds benefit homeless and disadvantaged children in the county. (Photos courtesy Assistance League - Sierra Foothills)

Popular El Dorado Hills event returns June 5 and 6

Tickets are now on sale for a popular tour, raising money for a good cause while also showcasing some gorgeous gardens.

Presented by the Assistance League – Sierra Foothills, Gardens of the Hills returns after a year hiatus due to COVID. Proceeds go toward helping homeless and disadvantaged children in El Dorado County.

On June 5 and 6, six spectacular private gardens in the El Dorado Hills area will be open for tours.

What makes this event so special are all the extras set in those beautiful landscapes. Besides flowers, this garden tour is packed with fun.

The tour stops will include pop-up boutiques, wine tasting, food trucks, family fun and the event’s signature raffle. Find “Nutmeg the Squirrel” at each stop for entry in a special raffle.

Each stop also features special surprises. During the 2019 tour, that included a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party attended by Alice and her Wonderland friends.

New this year, the league will host an online “Gardens of Smiles” auction, featuring donated items to further help this effort. The auction is open June 1-7; find it at https://ALSFGardens.givesmart.com.

Tour hours will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 5; and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 6.

Tickets are $30; $10 for children age 12 and younger. They’re available at several locations, including Green Acres Nursery & Supply in Folsom, California Welcome Center and Pottery World in El Dorado Hills, Ace Hardware in Cameron Park and El Dorado Nursery in Shingle Springs.

Or order them online at https://www.assistanceleague.org/sierra-foothills/.

-- Debbie Arrington

At the 2019 tour, the Mad Hatter and other Wonderland friends

popped in.