Thursday, May 12, 2005

Eight private gardens are open to the public Saturday for this year's Georgetown Garden Tour. Set in some of the oldest properties in the city, the normally hidden gardens reflect the recent and long-standing work of prominent designers, including Gail Rogers and Gordon Riggle.

Another features the personal garden of a landscape designer with many unusual and exotic plants. "Very designed and interesting," said Edith Schafer, tour organizer.

The self-guided walking tour is held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets, $30, are available from Keith Hall, Christ Church, 31st and O streets NW. http://www.georgetowngardentour.com/ . Proceeds go to community greening projects.

Green Spring Gardens Park in Alexandria hosts its annual plant sale on Saturday, when more than 40 specialty nurseries and plant societies will offer herbaceous and woody plants for purchase. Among the vendors is the Virginia Native Plant Society, whose members will be selling wildflowers and ferns that they have propagated. Another group is the National Capital Daylily Club, with novel varieties of summer-flowering daylilies. Spring Garden Day is held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., 4603 Green Spring Rd., Alexandria. http://www.greenspring.org/ . Call 703-642-5173.

Tonight at the U.S. Botanic Garden, Maryland nurseryman Edmund Snodgrass lectures on green roof gardening (see related story, page 1). 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., 100 Maryland Ave. SW. Free, but registration required. Call 202-226-4082. http://www.usbg.gov/education/events . Tomorrow, Susan Belsinger gives a lecture from 1 to 3 p.m. on the many varieties of oregano. She will give advice on types that grow well in the Washington garden, and demonstrate recipes that include oregano. $12, registration required. Call 202-226-4082.

Adrian Higgins