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the Garden Host at The Panoramic Garden
Explore Marin County’s Private, Hidden Gardens on Sunday, May 25
Explore Marin County’s Private, Hidden Gardens on Sunday, May 25
Garden Conservancy Open Days program offers access to hundreds of private sanctuaries across the country – and a chance to share ideas with fellow garden lovers
What is behind those hedges? Private gardens – inaccessible to the public –spark curiosity with an aura of magic and mystery.
The Garden Conservancy Open Days™ program enables America’s finest private gardens to open to the public on specific days and is the only nationwide garden visiting program. Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, Open Days has offered 1.5 million people a chance to look behind the hedges, with visitors to 4,500 gardens in 40 states.
For the 2025 growing season from April through November, more than 350 private gardens will be open across 22 states—from urban rooftops and organic farms to innovative suburban backyards and historic estates. More than 100 gardens will be open for the first time in 2025.
The gardens opening on Sunday, May 25 include:
The Panoramic Garden - Stinson Beach, CA
Huge boulders on a steep hillside provide the framework for this unusual garden perched on the shoulders of Mt. Tamalpais. It was created twenty-plus years ago from a wilderness of brambles, poison oak, and native willows. Now stone walks radiate from a centrally located house to a series of garden rooms defined by their plantings-various fuchsia species, tillandsia, and pendulous epiphyllums grow in the shade of ancient bay trees. On the hillside, protea and dozens of succulent species grow in the sparse soil among the rocks.
In the sunny open areas, azara, Pseudocydonia psoralea, and rare shrubs share space with perennials and self-seeding annuals. Water-loving plants such as papyrus and giant gunnera surround the seasonal stream and the koi pond. The garden contains more than 200 species of plants, including unusual specimens from the Mediterranean, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, South Africa, and Mesoamerican cloud forests. Scattered among the plants are beautiful stone sculptures from Zimbabwe and comfortable weather-worn benches offering diverse views of the garden and the Pacific Ocean below.
Sea View Gardens - Stinson Beach, CA
This hillside garden encompasses everything from an area of perennials that provide habitat for bees, butterflies and hummingbirds, an edible garden and natives shrubs, including mature Coastal Live Oaks. Particular attention is paid to landscaping for fire safety. Not all of the 3.5 acres are landscaped, the majority of the property is in its natural state.
All of this comes with a spectacular view of the Pacific to the front and Mt. Tamalpais behind, as it sits adjacent to State and National Parklands.
The gardens are open from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. for registered guests. Tickets for this garden visitation are $10 per person, or $5 for members of the Garden Conservancy. Children 12 and under are free when accompanied by a parent or guardian. All registrations must be processed online through the Garden Conservancy's website.
Visit gardenconservancy.org/opendays
“Garden visiting is more than just a leisurely stroll; it is an immersive experience that ignites the senses and nourishes the soul,” said James Brayton Hall, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Garden Conservancy. “It offers a unique opportunity to connect with nature, appreciate artistry, and gain inspiration from the dedication and vision of passionate gardeners. The anticipation for Open Days events is palpable, with garden enthusiasts eagerly awaiting the chance to discover hidden gems and share in the beauty and tranquility of these private sanctuaries. The excitement stems from the rare privilege of stepping into these carefully curated worlds, each with its own story to tell, and the joy of connecting with fellow garden lovers who share a deep appreciation for the transformative power of gardens.”
About Open Days
Since 1995, the Garden Conservancy’s Open Days program has opened the garden gates to thousands of private gardens across the country. Open Days offers the extraordinary opportunity to visit private sanctuaries in the U.S. and to learn from the gardeners behind these exceptional spaces.
Founded by Director Emerita Page Dickey and friend and fellow gardener Pepe Maynard, the Open Days program has showcased over 4,500 gardens in 40 states and has welcomed and inspired over 1.5 million visitors since its inception.
From backyard jewel box gardens to beautiful estate gardens, to sweeping landscapes, the Open Days program highlights the breadth of traditions and perspectives within American gardening. Bound together by a mutual love of nature, art, design, and horticulture, the Open Days community is marked by the love of sharing ideas and expertise and learning from one another.
Open Days Conservation Initiative
One of the most important changes over the years at Open Days has been the adoption of native plants and organic practices. In 2022, Open Days launched Nibbled Leaf, a nature-friendly gardening initiative, developed in partnership with the Perfect Earth Project. When a Nibbled Leaf icon appears next to a garden entry, the garden is being maintained with all living creatures in mind.
Over two thirds of Open Days Gardens in 2025 have the Nibbled Leaf icon listed on the Garden Conservancy website.
About The Garden Conservancy
The Garden Conservancy is the only national nonprofit organization dedicated to saving and sharing outstanding American gardens for the education and inspiration of the public. Since its founding by renowned plantsman Frank Cabot in 1989, the Conservancy has helped preserve more than 80 American gardens in 25 states. Since 1995, Garden Conservancy Open Days have provided access to hundreds of America’s finest private gardens across the country.
The Conservancy’s lectures, tours, and symposia offer opportunities for engaged exploration of contemporary ideas in gardening, design, and preservation. www.gardenconservancy.org