The Santa Monica Conservancy 2011 Landscapes tour will be held Sunday, May 1. The tour features 11 gardens in neighborhoods throughout the city, including homes of landscape designers, avid gardeners, and several recipients of Santa Monica’s Sustainable Gardens grants.

Tour-goers will see and hear how gardens have been adapted to reduce water usage while maintaining a lush variety of color and texture, and how they have changed over time as their owners’ interests and priorities have changed. They will also have an opportunity to purchase California native plants at a plant sale, sponsored by the Theodore Payne Foundation. A portion of the proceeds will be given to the Conservancy.

Tickets are $35 for the general public and $25 for Santa Monica Conservancy members. Non-members may purchase a discounted First-time Individual or Household membership for 2011 that permits them to buy tour tickets at member prices. Purchase tickets online, or bring cash or a check to purchase tickets on Sunday.

Tickets and tour brochures with maps will be held at a check-in table at the Department of Motor Vehicles parking lot, 2235 Colorado Ave (at Cloverfield Blvd), Santa Monica 90404. Plan on spending three hours to see all 11 landscapes.

Please patronize tour sponsors: Merrihew’s Sunset Gardens, 1526 Ocean Park Blvd., Bourget Brothers Building Materials, 1636 11th Street and Bourget Flagstone Co., 1810 Colorado Avenue

Annual membership contributions support the Conservancy work to preserve the architectural and cultural heritage of Santa Monica and brings members its informative quarterly newsletter and discounts on tours and events.

Mailing Address: Santa Monica Conservancy, P.O. Box 653, Santa Monica, CA 90406. Phone 310-496-3146. info@smconservancy.org