COLOR. Somehow, even weeks after the rain’s stopped, I can’t get enough color. Or sunshine.

If, like me, you’re still in recovery from this spring’s gloomy, miserable rain and cold, then boy, have I got a garden tour for you.

Saturday July 10, the ANLD (Association of Northwest Landscape Designers) puts on its 2010 Behind-the-Scenes Garden Tour.

The nine gardens on the tour, created by professional garden designers and contractors with diverse specialties, include color-centric plantings, ecoroofs and rain gardens, aesthetically pleasing food gardens, native areas, art integrated in the garden, and more. The tour is centered on two areas: North/Northeast Portland and the Vancouver area – traveling between the gardens is easy.

WHAT: Association of Northwest Landscape Designers’ 7th Annual "Behind-the-Scenes Garden Tour"
WHEN: Saturday July 10, 2010 from 10 am to 4 pm
WHERE: North/Northeast Portland and Vancouver, WA (maps provided)
TICKETS: $20 – available through Friday afternoon at 5 pm at nurseries listed here and, if there are tickets left the day of the tour, some will be available at a few of the gardens. Maps provided with ticket.

Proceeds of the tour benefits the ANLD’s scholarship programs for landscape design students attending Metro area community colleges.

See you there!