Exploring The Great Gardens Of Europe

Gardeners who want to travel with a purpose can choose from an array of tours to some of the world’s most beautiful gardens. One company which specializes in such a trip is Expo Garden Tours. Destinations this year include gardens in England, France, Holland, Scotland, Wales and Italy.

Some tours are scheduled to include famous floral shows such as the Chelsae and Hampton Court Palace flower shows in England.

Other itineraries, such as “Castles and Gardens of Scotland,” have a dual purpose.

For a free brochure, call Expo Garden Tours at (800) 448-2685.

Most travel agencies offer other information about garden tours, both abroad and in the U.S.

Yard advice: We may not be short of water this time of year, but come summer, water use climbs sharply when lawn sprinklers are turned on. For those interested in landscaping with plants and grass which require less water, and in other issues of sustainable landscaping, there’s a lecture Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the downtown Spokane Public Library.

Michael Terrell, landscape architect and an expert in sustainable landscaping, will discuss water quality protection, the use of native and drought-resistant plants and the use of fertilizers and pesticides in our yards.

The talk is free; for more information, call 467-0990.

Traditional crafts: Just in time for Valentine’s Day, members of the Appaloosa Lacers will demonstrate lacemaking techniques, 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the McConnell Mansion in Moscow, Idaho.

This is one in a series of free demonstrations. Refreshments will be available. The Palouse Hills Spinners will demonstrate use of a drop spindle to spin wool on Feb. 11; Feb. 18 there will be activities for children such as making cornhusk dolls and string games. For information, call the Latah County Historical Society, (208) 882-1004.

Color spots: About 40 percent of the adults surveyed by the American Floral Marketing Council said they decorate their home with flowers only on special occasions (such as Valentine’s Day).

Fifty-three percent said they decorate with flowers at least once a month. Five percent said they didn’t know how often they have fresh flowers at home.

And, while most of the flowers are placed in the living and dining rooms, 45 percent put flowers in the kitchen; nearly a quarter of those surveyed decorate their bathrooms with flowers.