(LENOX, Mass.) – On Saturday, July 9, 2011, from 10 to 4, the Lenox Garden Club presents its 21st annual tour of gardens and houses. The self-guided tour will be held rain or shine. Visitors will see six properties in the historic Berkshire towns of Richmond and West Stockbridge: a spectacular garden on 13 acres which were covered with years of trash accumulation, now flowing with freeform beds of shade and sunny gardens; a former apple farm which celebrates trees and where native plantings frame peaceful views; woodland and shade gardens surrounding a graceful Georgian house; English-style gardens on the site of a colonial-era tannery; an ever-evolving garden featuring a moss staircase and an angel garden, celebrating the arrival of grandchildren; and a former sheep pasture where wildflowers and plantings to attract wildlife blend into the surrounding native forest.

In each garden, visitors will meet an “Ask Me,” a horticulture expert who will answer questions about the plants in the garden and about gardening in general.

The Lenox Garden Club is celebrating its centennial this year. Founded in 1911, the club has sponsored many projects related to environmental conservation, historic preservation and horticulture throughout its history. To celebrate the club’s 100th anniversary, a major gift has been given to the Berkshire Botanical Garden to help fund a new class room, which will be dedicated on July 8.

Tickets at $35 each are available in advance at Lenox Garden Club or at Mary Stuart Collections, 83 Church Street, Lenox; Hammertown Barn, 325 Stockbridge Road, Great Barrington; or Berkshire Botanical Garden, 5 West Stockbridge Road, Stockbridge.  On the day of the tour, tickets at $40 each will be sold at the Richmond School, 1831 State Road (Route 41) Richmond. Ticket purchasers will be given a map of the tour with their tickets.