The St. Louis Water Garden Society (SLWGS) is celebrating 34 years of shared learning and advocacy for ponds, fish and gardens. This year marks the Society’s 24th annual water garden and pond tour, known as “Pond-O-Rama,” a top attraction and fundraiser for the organization.
The two-day event will be held on Saturday, June 22 and Sunday, June 23 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and feature private water gardens opened to the public for exploration and appreciation. The self-guided tour includes a daily itinerary organized by location throughout the St. Louis metropolitan area.
Pond Tour hosts are members of the Water Garden Society and, together with designers, architects and contractors, work all year to build or enhance their gardens and water features. This year will include many new ponds and waterfalls, along with perennial favorites that feature everything from bubbling rocks to large ponds and the beautiful landscaping with perennials, annuals and shrubs.
Hosts love to share their inspiration and experience creating their water feature, regardless of size, with visitors to their gardens each year. Some of the gardens on the tour have been featured in local publications like St. Louis Homes and Lifestyles Magazine, but Pond-O-Rama offers a chance to engage with the hosts, many of whom are master gardeners, about their gardens.
Proceeds from the annual Pond Tour enable the St. Louis Water Garden Society to continue their civic project planting and maintaining the reflecting ponds at the Jewel Box. For 34 years, the Society members have worked in the lily ponds each Saturday from May to October to keep them healthy and looking beautiful for the millions visiting our beloved Forest Park each year.
Pond-O-Rama tickets are just $20 per person (18 and older, group discount available) and include the tour ticket booklet with pictures, tour map, descriptions and more for both days of the pond tour. Tickets will be available for purchase online at https://slwgs.org and in store at local retail shops and garden centers throughout the metropolitan area beginning May 1. Society members receive a complimentary ticket as part of their membership dues.
For more information or to become a member of the St. Louis Water Garden Society, please visit https://slwgs.org
