Welcome to My Garden tour set for Sunday

  Whether you are looking for new landscaping ideas, indulging your penchant for looking in other people's yards or just a pleasant way to spend an afternoon, Sunday's Welcome to My Garden tour is the place to be.

  You will see everything from native plants and those adapted to our hot Yuma climate to lush tropicals that flourish here.

  The 16th annual self-guided tour of distinctive Yuma gardens, sponsored by Pecan Grove Garden Club, is from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. The gardens and landscapes of five Yuma homes will be open to those that purchase a ticket.

  Tickets are $10 (children under 12 free) and available at Highway Nursery, 4200 E. Highway 80; Yuma Nursery, 4405 S. Avenue A; Zinn Printing, 386 E. 16th St.; and on the day of the tour, at any of the homes.

  Gardens featured in this year's tour are:

  • Stella and Mark Sells, 910 S. 7th Ave.: At this well-established landscape in an older Yuma neighborhood, the simple front yard belies the surprise waiting in back. There you find a shaded pond filled with fish and plants, a large swimming pool and many interesting elements: a pagoda-shaped shade, benches, lots of relaxing space and inviting lawn.

  Here, too, are surrounding walls with cascading vines. Lots of blooming annuals add color. Stella said they have hosted several family weddings and special events.

  • Kim Wright, 1681 W. 10th St.: Kim has skillfully mixed tropicals, succulents and native plants to create an eclectic and yet relaxing atmosphere for her Adobe House garden. She designed the plantings herself and regards that as an example for other do-it-yourself gardeners. “You can do it!” Magazines and books provide her with inspiration, and “even the errors are part of the fun.”

  The house itself was built in the ’30s and had a number of mature trees, palms and shrubs when she and her husband acquired it several years ago. The lower area was only sand four years ago and now palms, succulents and garden accoutrements flourish there.

  Here, too, are Kim's handmade faux boulders and faux waterfall. Fortunately, her two wells allow her to indulge in lovely lawn areas.

 • Angie Pamplona and Roger Haak, 11678 Dorothy Drive (Foothills): A dry rocky river bed flowing beneath palo verde trees, large slabs of red rock and a few cactus complete the Southwest look of Angie and Roger's front yard. The back garden reveals more rocks surrounding an extensive outdoor kitchen, sheltered patio and a small swimming pool. The landscaping here contains cactus shaded by graceful palms without a need for lawn.

  All this is contained within a small Foothills lot that still has an uncrowded, spacious feeling. "This is our little paradise," Angie says, "that makes the rest of the world go away.”

  Very important to the owners is the low maintenance required. They just let it happen, she says, and the garden changes constantly. The theme of this garden is natural is best.

  • Donna and Brian Johnsen (address on ticket): The Johnsens' garden says sculpture! Art! It is an outstanding example of putting cactus and succulents on display. The generous spacing of the plants shows off the various shapes and textures of each one. The very large saguaro in front is particularly beautiful.

  This yard does not need lawns or annuals - contrast comes from gravel and rocks. Green is supplied by the palm trees scattered throughout. The wooden gates and adobe wall provide a neutral background. Donna says she loves palms and cactus and even enjoys sweeping her dirt.

  This is another low-maintenance garden that is truly a Southwest vision. A prominent feature of the back garden is the pool with rock waterfall. An outdoor kitchen and eating area suggest relaxing outdoor meals.

  • William and Mary Cole, 13687 Selina Drive (Foothills): Eclectic probably describes the Coles' backyard landscaping with its combination of pond, cactus and fruit trees. The centerpiece is the pond with fish and pond plants surrounded with a lush background of green.

  The principal element for year-round growth in this area is the aluminum frame with a removable sunshade over the pond for protection from the extreme summer heat. In winter the fabric comes off to allow sufficient sun exposure. The mix of cactus and green tropicals is pleasing to the eye and obviates the need for lawn. Walks, gravel and plants fill the available area.

  The Coles' daughter maintains the yard for them and says it really doesn't take very long. Even the fish pond takes only about an hour a week. Her father says “we'll run out of land, money or water” before Trudy will stop planning, planting or changing the yard.