From cascading waterfalls to vistas of colorful flowers, enjoy the beauty and splendor of nature on the annual Fairview Lakes Auxiliary Garden Tour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, July 13. Stroll through eight lovely and unique garden settings in Forest Lake, Scandia, Lindstrom, North Branch and Stacy.

One of the featured gardens is a lakeside retreat nestled on the banks of a lake in Forest Lake. Bruce and LaVonne Grant have lived 22 years in this historic home, a renovated barn on a former lieutenant governor’s 1906 estate. The front courtyard is full of blooming perennials framed by a rose trellis. The home is flanked by a shade garden of hostas, bleeding hearts and cyclamen.

The crowning glory of this old English garden is the beautiful backyard fountain facing the lake. According to the Grants, this has been a constant work-in-progress. "It started out as a small project with the spring that runs into the lake. We kept adding to it—building the waterfall and pond, and then surrounding it with native plants," says owner/gardener, LaVonne.

Admission passes and maps for the event are available for purchase at Yellow Bus in Forest Lake, all Fairview Lakes clinics and the Fairview Lakes Medical Center Gift Shop in Wyoming. Day-of-event passes are available until noon July 13 at Fairview Lakes Medical Center. Admission is $10 per adult, and all people touring gardens must wear a garden pass. Those attending could win one of four $25 gift certificates to the Fairview Lakes Medical Center Gift Shop.

Proceeds from the garden tour support the Fairview Lakes Auxiliary’s efforts to provide services and equipment to enhance patient care. For more information on the tour or the auxiliary, call 651-982-7774.