When Bill and Sandy Brehm purchased their home in The Trails neighborhood of Rancho Bernardo four years ago, the garden was the draw for them.

“It is part of the reason we moved, we had to have this garden,” said Bill Brehm.

But while they loved its many mature trees, the couple also wanted to bring their own landscaping preferences to their new home.

“The big items and trees were in place ... but we wanted to tear out and replant,” Bill Brehm said of the work they did over three years. “We put in a couple patios ... added to the trail through the yard.”

“I like all the plants that have touches of color,” Sandy Brehm said, adding her husband favors succulents and cacti.

“If you look around there are surprises,” she said about the wildlife statues throughout the garden. . After completing renovations that included a butterfly garden and adding close to 100 pots filled with various types of plants, the Brehms are welcoming visitors to see their work as part of the Bernardo Gardeners Club’s spring garden tour.

The self-guided tour will be held from 10 a.m. to 3:30 Saturday, April 30. Tickets are $30 per person.

“I’m really excited about doing this ... we’ve been having a lot of fun putting it together,” said Renee Garza, who organized the tour with Julia Erickson.

With the club not able to hold a tour for the past couple years due to the pandemic, Garza said they decided to feature six gardens instead of the typical five.

“The owners of the houses are very proud we selected them,” Garza said.

Four of the gardens are in Rancho Bernardo and two are in Poway.

• The Franchina garden in Bernardo Heights — Created by owner Terri Franchina, the garden has many “little humorous whimsies” tucked into the property’s front and back areas. These include a small ceramic Sponge Bob, turtles, little teapots and parrots in trees that help shade a gazebo. Among other features are curving paths, mounds of colorful succulents and water-wise plants throughout the backyard.

• The Dunn garden in Bernardo Heights — Across the street from the Franchina garden and also designed by Terri Franchina, the Dunn’s backyard haven is a garden landscaped with small mounds and rocks to complement the property’s natural design. There is also a winding path from the front to the back of the property, leading to many colorful succulents, water-wise plants and a gazebo sitting area.

• The Brehm garden in The Trails — The more than 1 acre property has a little bit of everything, from drought-resistant and water-wise plants to lush tropical plants and an orchard with a dozen fruit trees. Visitors should keep a lookout for statues of animals, including a bobcat, among the rocks. Other features include a putting green, butterfly garden and pool area.

• The Shea garden in Westwood — Visitors will enter what has been described as a “fairytale secret garden” after passing through the garden gate on the right side of the property. It is filled with colorful plants, fountains, antiques, birdhouses and bird baths to create a whimsical atmosphere. The property also has raised vegetable and herb beds in the side garden.

• The Mudd garden in The Grove — This native plant garden has been growing since 2004 when the homeowner started converting the 3-acre property into a nature reserve. Nearly two decades later, the garden shows what can be created with native plants in the region. It includes a variety of fruit and flowering trees throughout the property, where a few chickens can also be discovered. The patio area also has a unique and innovative rainwater collection system that visitors are welcome to ask about.

• The Snider garden in Bridlewood — Visitors will enter a regal atmosphere in what has been described as “The Versailles of North County” due to its majestic design among multiple levels. Some of the features include pergolas and columns draped in colorful wisteria and other plants to make visitors feel like they are in a royal setting. There is also a pool and patio area overlooking a blooming hillside garden that showcases many flowering trees and shrubs.

Those on the tour can ask gardening questions of the homeowners and Master Gardeners. Each will also have vendors offering unique handmade crafts, jewelry, garden art, fine art, plants and plant arrangements. Complimentary refreshments will also be offered.

The $30 tour tickets (which include garden addresses) are being sold at Walter Andersen Nursery, 12755 Danielson Court in Poway; El Plantio Nursery, 1322 San Pasqual Valley Road in Escondido (via cash or check only) and online at BrownPaperTickets.com.

The gardens are not handicapped accessible, flat shoes are required, no pets allowed, no restroom use in the homes and no children under age 12.

Proceeds will go toward supporting many Bernardo Gardeners Club projects, Garza said. These include providing flower arrangement activities at local retirement homes, supporting vegetable gardens at several Poway Unified School District campuses and funding scholarships for horticulture students at community colleges.

For tour questions, call 858-449-4240. Additional information is at BernardoGardeners.org.

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