Garden lovers brave the rain to tour some of Edmonton’s finest gardens

The rain didn't stop the Edmonton Horticultural Society's annual Garden Tour over the weekend, providing people a chance to learn more about plants and how to g

Plant enthusiasts took to the rainy streets in Edmonton Saturday to tour some of the city’s finest gardens.

“Gardeners are hardcore, so they’ll come out rain or shine,” said Brett Kerley, program coordinator for the Edmonton Horticulture Society (EHS).

The EHS has been organizing the tours for a number of years, which typically run on a Saturday and Sunday in July. Those touring the gardens are provided a map with locations and directions to 10 private gardens.

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Gardens are chosen for quality and variety, many of which are award-winning. Hosts show the tourists around their green oasis and share information about different plants as well as some of their failures and successes with gardening over the years.

“We want our gardeners to learn,” said Kerley, adding that the event also serves as a fundraiser for the EHS.

The EHS is a volunteer-run non-profit that started in 1909 with the purpose of enhancing the beautification of Edmonton’s urban environment.

The society often hosts speakers, puts on plant sales and exchanges, and offers gardening information through events and on social media.

Tours run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets, which usually go on sale a month or two before the event and often sell out, are $25.