Spokane in Bloom Ticket 2023
($1.50 shipping)
Will Call Bloom Ticket - $15 plus $1.50 service charge which appears as shipping for each ticket - no quantity key available so each ticket needs to be entered separately - thank you!
About Us
SPOKANE IN BLOOM GARDEN TOUR 2023
Saturday, June 17, 2023
10am-5pm
Ticket - $15 (non-refundable)
Tickets $15 available the day of the tour at the gardens or starting in early June at Blue Moon Nursery, Gibson’s Nursery, Judy's Enchanted Garden, NW Seed and Pet, & Barn & Blossom Garden Nursery or on-line will call using PayPal/credit card, small service fee applied - see PayPal above
Purchase your ticket(s) online each one individually using PayPal/credit card and you will receive an email payment card confirmation which you can either print out or show on your phone to WILL CALL the day of the tour and get your hard copy ticket(s) at any of the garden stops
Spokane in Bloom Gardens 2023
1 - Feel the Earth Garden - 3721 E 35th Ave
Amy Jo & Ken Ellis are both long-time gardeners. Ken has a degree in environmental horticulture and a lifetime of experience working in his father's 5-acre garden that fed several hospitals. Ken went on to own a landscape business for many years, but now, as a first-time homeowner is enjoying landscaping for himself. He has a love for mixing leaf textures and creating charming groupings to give the garden a park like feel. Amy Jo, on the other hand, has a passion for color and will garishly paint anything that is not nailed down. Their large double lot is covered in quaint gardens from sunny borders filled with peonies, delphiniums, columbines, lupins, lavender, and more, to tucked-in shade gardens filled with a collection of brunnera, hostas, hydrangeas and adorned with a variety of whimsical yard art that has been given new life with coats of brightly colored paint. In this fun park-like setting, there will be live music booths and refreshments. Amy Jo is a professional entertainer and will be providing live music throughout the day.
2 - Taste the Rain Garden - 5219 S Sunward Dr
The front west facing garden is landscaped using deer resistant plants such as lavender, shrub roses, grasses, echinacea, and lots of self-seeding snap dragons, bleeding heart. Our reason for buying the house was for the views. While we have lost a lot of it due to our neighbor’s trees, we have limited the number of trees to a slow-growing peeling bark maple and a crab apple at the end of the drive named Phyllis. Named for the comedian known for her wild hair Phyllis Diller. If you see the tree after a summer of growth, you will understand. Installing a 6-foot cedar fence around the back yard opened up so many more possibilities for plants including, hostas, hydrangea, clematis. Throughout the garden we have tried to provide places to sit and just enjoy the view, take in the sounds of birds, and enjoy the shade of a maple tree. We love to decorate our yard with bits of whimsy. You will find cat sculptures peaking out from the flowers and a cat weathervane on top of the garden shed. Our other passion, books is also represented throughout the garden. On many summer evenings you can find us eating dinner under the cedar pergola in relative coolness listening to the sounds of birds and water features we have tucked in the yard.
3 - Smell the Flowers Garden - 3311 E 65th Ave
We have been care-takers of this garden for over 25 years. Like any garden it has seen its share of changes, including removal of 50% of the lawn. Currently, we are creating a hedgerow along the west side of the property to try to convince the deer that it is not a thoroughfare! We have also focused on adding native plants over the past few years. It is a classic perennial garden with a wide variety of flowers, ornamental grasses, evergreens, trees, veggies & herbs, rock garden, two water features, cold frame, garden house, potting bench and compost area. Our current aim is to fill all the garden beds with enough plants so no ground is showing and keep the mature trees healthy.
4 - Feed Your Senses Garden - 2107 E 15th Ave
Our inspiration for the garden comes from the favorite places we have traveled. We love mountain lodges and the rock work that surrounds them. Our vision was to create the same feeling when we walked those paths. Below the towering pines, we have added a variety of trees--Weeping Atlas, Paper Bark Maple, Japanese Maple and Tri-Color Beech. As you walk the paths there are a variety of seasonal perennials that bloom throughout the seasons, and occasionally you will find art pieces or small creatures tucked in and around the rock work. The patio off the back of the house is unique with stone and iron work railings reminiscent of Northwest Mountain lodges. Nestled between the Cedar Tea House and large basalt rock haystack is a rugged fire pit, perfect for toasting marshmallows or sipping wine.
5 - Hear the Wind Garden - 2020 E 23rd Ave
The garden was originally planted in 1981. Over the years, it remained nearly untouched, but continued to hang on thanks to a regular watering schedule. While it was beautiful and serene, it appeared tired and monochromatic. It was filled with unruly junipers, over mature boxwoods and untouched pines. Nature provided a beautiful template with unique stone outcroppings and the original garden held gems of rhodies, azaleas, maples and pines. Even in the shade, our aim was to increase color and variety. To be able to do this, we had to clear some way for a little necessary sunshine. Our garden had an extreme makeover in 2017. This meant removing an unusable basketball court and dead pines. Stone paths were laid in order to encourage meandering and the garden was filled with perennials and specimen trees. Now we have a thriving shade garden growing underneath mature ponderosa pines with an under-story of flowering trees and shrubs. There are dwarf conifers and herbaceous perennials. Large ornamental containers are planted with unique combinations of annual flowers for seasonal interest. By late summer, the garden is bursting with color and variety. Enjoy your visit!
6 - Watch Things Grow Garden - 414 W E 23rd Ave
Sam & Anna purchased this home in May of 2020. The front yard came with beautiful established Peonies and a Yew shrub, but not a ton else. With a hot summer looming, they decided to take out most of the grass in the front yard in favor of a landscape focusing on drought tolerance, native plants, and food production. Plants featured in the garden are cherry bushes, agastache, lavender, Russian sage, coneflowers, forsythia, smoke tree, day lily, golden currant, grape, sand cherry, serviceberry, apache plume, fernbush, among others. There is a greenhouse on the side of the yard for starting things earlier on in the season, a flagstone patio to relax on and meet neighbors, and a few raised beds built to accommodate various annuals and berries. The back yard has a similar ethos, with more large raised beds, a small waterfall and rock garden, and chicken coop. When they initially built the installation, the homeowners didn't know about the Spokanescape program. After enough passers-by asked about "who Spokanescaped your yard?", Sam left his tech job and started a business to build more of them around the city. This was the beginning of Dryland Revival, a landscape construction company focusing on native plants and building community around Spokane.
Bonus Stop
Barn and Blossom - 4010 E Jamieson Rd - On Spokane’s South Hill at the edge of the Palouse lies a beautiful and inspiring place to pick the perfect plant and gain garden knowledge.
Good 'Dilla Food Truck from Spokane will be at the nursery during Bloom with gourmet quesadillas and creative tacos. Delicious food will be available for purchase and is not included in your Bloom ticket price. It’s a great day for some Good ‘Dilla!
Bloom Highlights
Garden-related Vendors, Artists, Live Music!
2023 Bloom Vendors
AJ Made with Love - Recycled Glass Suncatchers, Rainchimes
Bartlett Tree Experts - Tree Care Services
Buffords Bluff - Live Perennials, Plants, Bristlecone Pine Trees
Floralia - Water wise, Cold Tolerant Plants
Gem Dandy Jewelry - Jewelry, Textile Art
Hollis Yard Art - Metal Yard Art
Miss Swiss Creations - Bird Houses, Flowers Made With Recycled Materials
Patti's Pies - Handmade Fresh Pies
Parks Place Plants - Houseplants
Petal Pushers Nursery - Nursery Plants, Garden Décor, Painted Furniture
The Plant Project - Houseplants, Outdoor Plants
Rainbow Blessings - Plants, Birdhouses, Garden Signs, Arbors
Solid Ground Coffee Co - Coffee, Tea
2023 Bloom Artists
Cindy Draper - Designs in Glass
Gloria Fox - Paintings
Melissa Isaacson - Paintings
Gay Waldman - Photography
Valerie Woelk - Water Colors
2023 Bloom Musicians
Ken Davis - Contemporary
Emily Eagan - Earthy Ballads/Tunes
Sean Genereaux - Guitar Rock
Brad Keeler - Vintage Music and Singer-Songwriter-Composer
Steven King - Guitar Favorites
Hunter Koss - Harpist Who Performs Celtic and Traditional Folk Music
Matt Legard - Alternative and Pop Rock
Old Plank Road - Brad Sondahl & Dave Lorang - Blues
Allen Surdez - Solo guitar and vocals
Stephen Talley - Guitar Easy Listening Favorites
Two Grey Cats - Doug Roberts & Don Brumfield - Classic Rock, Pop, Country
Robert Craig Varney - Piano
Gardens Made be Visited in Any Order
BLOOM COFFEE BOGO SPECIAL
Tour day only, Jun 17, 2023, from 10am-5pm, buy one coffee drink get one free from Bloom Coffee Co. at 4020 E 57th Ave by displaying your Spokane in Bloom tour ticket.
Thank you Bloom Coffee for supporting Bloom Tour! We Bloom Girls got to stick together.
SPOKAne in bloom garden tour
Spokane in Bloom
Spokane in Bloom garden tour is scheduled for Saturday, June, 17, 2023 and will be on Spokane's westside from 10am-5pm. Presented by The Inland Empire Gardeners - 509-535-8434 - tieg@comcast.net
Please note: We regret these private residential gardens are not able to support wheelchair or stroller access and are not recommended for children under age six. No pets permitted.
Bloom Facts
Spokane in Bloom Garden Tour is a single day, self-guided event, showcasing outstanding gardens in the Spokane area. It is one of the premier gardening tours in the Inland Northwest area.
The locations of the gardens and a map are provided in the ticket/program. Look for directional signs.
The tour is run completely by volunteers. Proceeds are donated to garden programs and charity organizations in the local area.
The tour is in its 22nd year, started by The Inland Empire Gardeners, a not-for-profit 501(c)(7) organization.
The tour is held annually the 3rd Saturday in June. To suggest a garden for a future Spokane in Bloom, please call 509-535-8434 or email tieg@comcast.net.
Garden Selection Committee: Chris Sheppard, Della Meyer, Trish Van Leuven
Email us if you have a suggestion for how we can improve the tour please email tieg@comcast.net
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Are We?
The Spokane in Bloom is sponsored by The Inland Empire Gardeners, an all-volunteer, nonprofit group established in 1994.
How Many Gardens Are on the Tour?
Each year, the garden tour board selects a minimum of 5 of Spokane's finest gardens representing a variety of styles, sizes, and design concepts. Our tour is highly regarded for the quality and diversity of the gardens it showcases. Over the years, more than 50 private gardens have been opened to the public for the tour and many of the owners have also continued to participate by serving as volunteers in various roles.
How Many People Attend the Tour?
The number of tickets, each of which is numbered and controlled, is limited to 1,000. We make every effort to make this a thoroughly enjoyable and safe event for both the garden owners and the tour patrons. We station our trained volunteers at each garden to direct parking, control access, manage traffic flow, and provide information. Areas off limits to the tour for safety and/or privacy reasons are clearly indicated.
I received my program but where is my ticket?
ANSWER: Your program is your ticket to the Spokane in Bloom Garden Tour.
Are children allowed? Are children admitted free?
ANSWER: It is our policy that children are welcome to come to the garden tour, under the age of 12 is free. Over 12 each must have a paid ticket. The tour is not recommended for children under 5. Infants carried on a front pack or back pack are permitted free. No strollers are allowed.
Is the tour handicap accessible?
ANSWER: The tour is not handicap accessible. Walkers and wheelchairs are not advised. Many of the garden paths are made up of gravel and rock making it difficult to maneuver walkers and wheelchairs. Some gardens may have stairs and a slope to them. Individuals need to decide for themselves if the garden is accessible for them.
How many gardens are on the 2023 tour?
6 with an extra bonus stop
Where are the gardens?
ANSWER: The locations of the gardens and a map are provided on this website.
Do you offer senior discounts?
ANSWER: There are no senior discounts offered. Your ticket does include the tour of the gardens.
Don't miss Spokane when it's Blooming!
Get your garden featured in next Bloom tour!
Calling all gardening enthusiasts: The Inland Empire Gardeners is seeking private gardens to feature in future Spokane in Bloom Garden Tours. The tour isn’t a garden competition but an event in which to share the beauty of local gardens. Gardens can be formal or informal, big or small. Plant combinations can be designed by you, nature or a professional landscaper.
Does your garden have a nice water feature, lots of growing vegetables, a cozy patio surrounded by native plants or a nice view? Maybe an outdoor kitchen might be what makes your space come alive. Or maybe you’ve always preferred a peaceful retreat in your yard.
Is yours an English cottage garden, a butterfly garden or simply tall trees with hostas in the shade? The possibilities are endless. The club will be previewing gardens in and around Spokane a year before the event in search of ones to feature.
Why so early? Selecting tour locations a year before allows time for local gardeners to be inspired by the gardens in which they are showcased.
If you’d like your garden featured in future tours, please call 509-535-8434 or email tieg@comcast.net