Flower Power Tour Explores Gardens Around The Northwest

Does your garden look like the “before” photo in those ads for landscaping companies?

Then you might want to see how the experts do it. Expo Garden Tours, which organizes tours of gardens around the world, is offering an eight-day trip to Pacific Northwest gardens June 13-20.

The “Perennials and Roses of the Pacific Northwest” itinerary includes public gardens in Seattle, Tacoma, Vancouver and Victoria. Besides well-known sites such as Butchart Gardens, Washington Park Arboretum, Dr. Sun Yat-see’s classical Chinese garden and Stanley Park, the tour also includes private gardens, research gardens and herb farms.

The price is $1,398 per person, based on double occupancy. For more information, call (800) 448-2685.

Party hearty

Festival news from the City of Rain:

The 24th annual Pike Place Market Street Festival is next Saturday and Sunday, featuring a jazz and blues stage, Kids Alley, coffee garden, beer garden, roving artists and musicians, and crafts and food booths.

The 21st annual Seattle International Film Festival began last Thursday and runs through June 11, featuring more than 130 films from around the world. There’s also a children’s film festival. For information, call (206) 325-6828.

The 24th annual Northwest Folklife Festival runs from next Friday through Monday at the Seattle Center, attracting more than 180,000 visitors and hosting 6,000 participants representing more than 100 countries.

There are dance and musical performances, a vast international market with handmade crafts, and traditional foods. Admission is free. For information, call (206) 684-7300.

A natural buzz

The Mosquito Fleet offers daily tours May 27 through Sept. 17, providing information on the ecology and history of the areas explored. The interpretive cruises sail the Puget Sound, the Olympic Penninsula and the Washington coast.

New opportunities this summer will include a Bike and Boat Cruise through Saratoga Passage and Deception Pass to Friday Harbor for a chance to cycle country roads. For more information, call (206) 787-6400.

All wet

A division of the National Audubon Society is leading a tour through Washington’s Olympic Peninsula from July 8 to 15.

The trip includes a boat visit to Protection Islands, bird watching and learning about Makah culture.

Up to 24 people will participate at a cost of $1,150 per person, including lodging, some meals and transportation. For information, call the Audubon Center of the North Woods in Sandstone, MN, at (612) 245-2648.