ROANOKE --- The Roanoke Home and Garden Tour, "Beauty in the Blue Ridge," will be held
on Saturday, May 3, 2014, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., rain or shine. The tour is sponsored
by the Mill Mountain Garden Club and the Roanoke Valley Garden Club. The local tour is part
of Historic Garden Week, an annual event presented by the Garden Club of Virginia, in which
homes and gardens all around Virginia are open to the public. Well-known as the oldest and
largest statewide house and garden tour in the United States, tourists from all across the
country travel to Virginia to take part in this springtime event. Proceeds from the tour are used
to restore grounds and gardens of Virginia's most cherished historic landmarks.
This year's "Beauty in the Blue Ridge" tour in Roanoke will inspire the gardener and the artist
within you. The tour features five private homes and gardens, and two additional gardens in the
charming neighborhood of South Roanoke, close to the Crystal Spring Village shops and
restaurants. Highlights include a shaded pool surrounded by a woodland garden, one of the
largest oak trees in the Roanoke Valley, a 25-year-old organic garden, an urban culinary garden
complete with chickens, and plein air artists painting in the gardens. Filled with spectacular
antiques and outstanding local art, the tour homes will sparkle with spectacular flower
arrangements created by club members. Lovingly planted gardens will be at the peak of spring
color.

The Ronald McDonald House is the headquarters for the tour and the starting and stopping
point for optional free trolleys that will continuously run to the various tour locations. Limited
parking is also available on the neighborhood streets in the tour areas.

Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 day of tour. Tickets may be purchased on tour day at any
of the houses open for the tour, or in advance at the following locations: Black Dog Salvage,
Garlands, Magnolia, Provisions/RSVP, Roanoke Council of Garden Clubs, Ronald McDonald
House and Townside Gardens. For internet tickets and detailed information about the tour,
please access www.vagardenweek.org .

A box lunch will be available for $14 at the Ronald McDonald House. Reservations for lunch are
strongly suggested by April 15. For information contact Cindi Fletcher at
cyndi.fletcher1@gmail.com . Weather permitting, light refreshments will be served from 2 -4
p.m. in the Lemon Garden at 160 27th St..