Sewickley Garden Tour to showcase 5 magnificent outdoor spaces

Behind a decorative iron gate is a serene view of lush green grass surrounding an inviting pool. Lounge chairs and black-and-white umbrellas shield guests from the sun.

Beautiful flowers are in bloom — from alyssum lining the walkway to hydrangeas and magnolias on the grounds. A nearby fountain features two lead heron statues.

“These gardens are a labor of love,” said Lynn Popovich of Sewickley, who is the Sewickley Garden Tour chairperson. “They are sanctuaries to relax, entertain and just to enjoy every day.”

The outdoor space Popovich was admiring will be showcased as part of the Sewickley Garden Tour, along with four others.

The event is normally held every other year. It was scheduled for 2021 but as it has to so many happenings, the pandemic prevented the tour from taking place last year.

Organizers are happy to welcome guests back.

Five homeowners have agreed to open their gardens for people to experience — many who are neighbors as well as others who come from a distance to see the designs and appreciate the care that goes into planting, watering and feeding these unique spaces that complement these stunning homes.

Guests can order tickets ahead of time or they s can be purchased on the day of the event at the Osborne Elementary School at 1414 Beaver Road.

The Sewickley Garden Tour is the primary fundraiser for the Sewickley Civic Garden Council, a volunteer organization that provides grants for the beautification of the public spaces in Sewickley and surrounding areas.

Projects the council has funded include the annuals planted in the median of Broad Street, a water fountain installation at Wolcott Park, and fencing at the Mary Roberts Rinehart Park.

Popovich said the gardens are lovely to admire and guests often get ideas from the tour for how to decorate their own gardens.

Each home is sponsored by one of four Sewickley garden clubs: Grapevine Garden Club, The Little Garden Club, Trowel & Error Garden Club, Village Garden Club. The Sewickley Civic Garden Center board members will also sponsor a garden.

Organizers expect up to 425 guests.

The tour, which began in 2008, is self-guided. A map of the gardens will be provided and guests should know that there will be steps and uneven terrain on the tour.

Deanna Clouse of Sewickley is president of Trowel and Error Garden Club. She also handles publicity for the event, and said she loves to see how people use their garden spaces for outdoor living and how their personalities and their love of gardening show through in their landscape.

The five private gardens in the Sewickley area are located on Pine Road and Academy Avenue in Sewickley, on Woodland Road in Edgeworth and on Backbone Road and Blackburn Road in Sewickley Heights.

Some driving will be required.

This year will feature the formal gardens and carriage house at Wilpen Hall, the grand estate of the late William Penn Snyder.

“These gardens offer a private setting and are wonderful outdoor spaces and we appreciate the home owners sharing them with us for a few days,” Popovich said. “They are all just so lovely.”

The event is from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on June 17 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 18. Light refreshments will be served.

Tickets are $45 and are available at SewickleyGardens.com.