Gardens Dot Tours

24/02/2025

Thankful. No idea if the QR code gets you to my talk about gardens in Oregon, Washington and BC but the fact that someone I met at a tea party took the time to find my little channel on YouTube, create the QR code and send me an uplifting email is making me tear up

06/02/2025

Gift giving is an important part of Japanese culture. If you're in Seattle for the Northwest Flower and Garden Show, get a ticket to a Travelers Tea. My presentation is about Japan. You'll learn lots, be part of a tea party with delectable food and get a gift of Japanese treats. Your Travelers Tea ticket includes entry to the show for that day

10/11/2024

Japan tour for HPSO - Hardy Plant Society of Oregon. I've been too busy to post photos but it has been a great trip so far. Phillip Oliver has been posting wonderful pictures of the trip

04/10/2024

Want to visit England in May? Our first tour sold out so quickly, we put together a second one. Starts with Chelsea Flower Show and then a week in the glorious English countryside. There will be surprises and private gardens beyond what is listed. This one is almost half sold, so if you might be interested register soon.

We begin in one of the world's most fascinating cities, London, and will experience the Royal Horticulture Society's Chelsea Flower Show on Members Day. We then head to the glorious English countryside for a week of villages, estates and gardens. Our finale day will include RHS Wisley Gardens plus d...

08/09/2024

Appreciative gardeners visiting Oregon - many of these folks live central Canada in Zone 2. They are in awe of what we can grow in Oregon. We visited the usual as well as some unknown gems.

01/09/2024

Coming soon - details on my tour of Glorious English Gardens & The Chelsea Flower Show. May 20-29, 2025. I lived in London after college, have been fascinated with all things British for decades and have been to England at least 20 times. I recently went specifically to look at hotels, restaurants and gardens for this tour. It will be 2 nights in London, 5 nights in Cirencester in the heart of the Cotswolds and 2 nights in the charming town of Guildford. Staying in the same hotel mid-tour leaves options for independent time incase someone wants to hike, cycle, bird watch, go antiquing or whatnot. I'm partnering with author Jana Milbocker, so this tour will probably sell out quickly.

24/07/2024

Wrap

24/07/2024

Had a great tour with some Colorado folks! They came for Butchart Gardens but left with a greater appreciation of the Pacific NW. Over four days, we visited 4 private gardens, 5 public gardens, a botanic conservancy, lavender fields, 2 ferries and more. Started in Seattle, ended in Victoria and everything went like clockwork.

19/05/2024

England next spring?

28/04/2024

Before the tour starts, a few visited Jeronimos Monastery, had a custard tart and settled it. I had luxurious workspace. Tomorrow, it's showtime!

26/04/2024

In London on my way to a tour that starts in Lisbon. I'm checking that all is in place for a tour I created but won't be on. Private dining room for the welcome dinner looks gorgeous. I've created mini-videos showing guests how to navigate the airport, what they'll see as they exit the Tube for the 3-minute walk to the hotel, I've befriended the hotel staff and hopefully the 18 people on Sue Goetz's tour will get special treatment. Plus I visited The Garden Museum, John Singer Sargent exhibit at The Tate, Chelsea Physic Garden, saw a play starring Brian Cox and much more.

09/04/2024

Exuberant joy at Portland's Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden. The gardens are beginning to pop!

23/02/2024

Glorious English gardens in late May, the PERFECT time! Small group of only 15 people, escorted by author, speaker and British gardens expert Sue Goetz. You'll experience private gardens, tours by locals, behind-the-scenes, dinner in a garden and so much more. Only 3 places remaining. Full itinerary here:

We visit the Royal Horticulture Society’s Chelsea Flower Show on Members Day, followed by glorious gardens in the countryside and RHS Wisley Gardens. The tour will be escorted by garden expert , speaker and author Sue Goetz. Sue Goetz is a garden designer, writer and speaker. Her work has earned g...

11/02/2024

Just finished listening to an extraordinary book. It's about life's lessons and cultural experiences more than gardening and it has changed me. My friend Claire Jones recommended it. I'll be listening to it again while puttering in the garden. Consider adding it to your library if you're a gardener, a traveller, an independent woman or someone interested in Japanese culture.

04/11/2023

Garden tourism conference in Victoria, British Columbia. So many great ideas and connections! From well-known gardens like Kew in London and Gardens in the Bay in Singapore to lesser-known-yet-extraordinary like Whistling Gardens near-ish Toronto. Followed by gin at the airport colored by sweet pea flowers.

30/09/2023

Time to plant! Fall event, including select vendors selling until 2:30pm Saturday Sept 30. Open to the public so come out and get great plants! Portland Community College Rock Creek campus

23/09/2023

On a tour in the Philadelphia area. A number of others on the tour are authors. Fascinating!

22/09/2023

Checking out gardens in the Philadelphia area for a future tour. Mt Cuba Center is a former private estate garden that's now open to the public. They have formal gardens plus they specialize in trials and natives. We'll be having a dinner here.