Attending Art in the Gardens provides an opportunity to enjoy the creative designs, innovative use of space and artistry of local gardeners," said Kathy Hohenadel of Create Columbia. "Many attendees leave the tour with their own 'Aha!' moment when they realize that they could modify an idea used in a host garden as a way to enhance their own garden."

Art in the Gardens will be held on Saturday, June 8, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. throughout Columbia. The tour returns under the coordination of Create Columbia, a nonprofit organization that promotes Columbia as a creative and vital community.

The tour will highlight eight gardens in both residential and commercial spaces that showcase different styles and gardening features. Four residential gardens from previous tours will return after the homeowners faced the same challenge: the removal of trees from their properties or neighboring properties. Tour-goers who have visited the spaces previously can observe how the gardens were redesigned to accommodate an increase in sunlight.

Each of the residential stops will host at least one artist working en plein air. Acrylics, oils, collages and more will be produced during the garden tour. "Attendees have an opportunity to interact with artists located in the gardens to discuss inspiration and methods or to just watch the creative process unfold," Hohenadel said. String music will also be featured in the neighboring properties of two of the stops.

As Hohenadel explained, the garden tour was formerly coordinated by the local Chamber of Commerce. "After the Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce decided to discontinue the event, members of the board of Create Columbia suggested picking it up as a fundraiser," she said. "It takes a certain amount of creativity to tend to a garden, and Create Columbia felt that it was a natural fit to adopt this event and expand it by showcasing local artists in action at each of the venues."

Each of the gardens will offer a unique perspective, with features including ponds, perennials and pawpaw trees. One site contains more than 100 varieties of shrubs and perennials, while another showcases gnomes, fairies and other whimsical additions in a Mad Hatter Tea Party-themed garden.

Tickets for the tour will be available for purchase on the tour date at the Columbia Market House, 15 S. Third St., from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Create Columbia will also have a stand set up at the market featuring plants for sale from the gardens of current or former tour hosts, as well as a selection of hand-painted decorative birdhouses designed by local artists.

Cash or checks will be accepted, with an additional service charge for purchase by credit card. The tour will be held rain or shine. For more information, including a sneak preview of each garden, visit Create Columbia's Facebook page.