Elegantly Landscaped Gardens Ready for Public Tours

Colorful blooms and picturesque paths running along cleverly landscaped gardens are in store for visitors on the fourth annual tour sponsored by Ramona Garden Club. Five gardens at private homes will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday.

The cost of $15 includes a self-guided map to three locations in San Diego Country Estates and two in the Highland Valley area. The majority of the gardens are reached by long, steep driveways, so wear sturdy walking shoes.

Lynda and Ron van der Veen have added a few extra amenities to their backyard in the Country Estates. When they moved there in 1989, their lot—which is more than 300 feet long—was covered with thick brush and chaparral. It took several years to make the changes that created “beautiful trails weaving across natural streambeds all the way to the bottom of the property,” according to Ron van der Veen.

Another attraction in the Van der Veen garden is a putting green. Visitors are invited to try their luck at making a hole in one.

“In recognition of water conservation, our backyard grass and sprinklers were replaced with a state-of-the-art synthetic putting green in 2007,” Ron van der Veen said. “That same year we added a beautiful pondless waterfall for aesthetics and sound. We also landscaped around the putting green.”

A natural waterfall at the bottom of the lower trail is active during the rainy season, flowing 6 feet down over rocks. The majority of the rocks and boulders lining the trails were moved in from a neighboring property. The exception is the small riverbed rock brought in to line the streambed.

Cactus plants throughout the yard were planted from small cuttings, while many of the palm and pine trees started on their own from seeds brought in by birds, animals and the wind.

At another garden in the Country Estates, Carol Wilson, Garden Club co-president, has added her personal touch as an artist. A feline fancier, Wilson has included statues of cats in various sizes as well as rock mosaics forming cats’ faces along the paths in her garden.

The house is on a hillside, with a path winding through colorful plants and the garden art. Purple verbena surrounds a large orange cat sculpture.

At the Country Estates home of Diane and Ralph Shaffer, the backyard setting is anchored by a 250-year-old live oak. There are several large boulders around the garden and Mount Gower looms in the background.

Diane Shaffer designed the pavements in the patio and she made the window boxes.

“It’s nice to be able to work in a shady garden,” she said.

In Highland Valley, Linda Luba and Bulent Yoldas planted flowers all around their house. The large colorful roses lining a path include Mr. Lincoln, Tropicana, Double Delight, First Prize, Compassion, Kentucky Derby and Joseph’s Coat.

A raised vegetable garden sits in one corner of the side yard. Nearby, a large patio, covered by a huge umbrella, has a fountain at the back. A path leads upward away from the house to areas exquisitely landscaped, with views of the surrounding area. The couple has owned the property for almost 30 years, and they built their house seven years ago.

Farther down in the valley, closer to the Escondido border, Robin and Roy Toft have a magnificent view spreading out over their 10 acres. Walking up the path to the house, visitors will pass a koi pond and patios on two levels. The path winds down around the property before coming back up the other side, offering more views of the open spaces.

The gardens on the tour may be visited in any order. There also will be a plant sale, including flowers and vegetables, in the parking lot of Bank of Southern California, 1315 Main St. Tickets will be available at the sale and at each of the gardens on the tour. For more information, call Terri Schmidt, co-president, at 760-789-8774.