FULL TICKET: $20. No single-house tickets. Tickets may be purchased the day of the tour at South Roanoke Methodist Church. Sorry, no credit cards accepted except in advance at www.VAGardenweek.org. Children 6-12, half-price. Children 5 and younger, free admission. Children younger than 17 must be accompanied by an adult. Houses need not be visited in the order listed.

ADVANCE TICKETS: Tickets may be purchased until Monday, April 19, by sending checks payable to "Historic Garden Week" and mailed to Roanoke Council of Garden Clubs, 3640 Colonial Ave., Roanoke VA 24018. Tickets are also available for purchase by cash or check at the same address Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-noon, and from the following locations around the Roanoke Valley: Chocolate Paper, 308 Market St. or 3260 Electric Road; Lipes, 2201 Crystal Spring Ave.; Townside Gardens, 3624 Franklin Rd. For more information, call (540) 343-4519. Tickets may be purchased by credit card for an additional fee by accessing www.VaGardenweek.org

LUNCHEON: By reservation only. A gourmet box lunch by Chanticleer Catering will be available at South Roanoke Methodist Church from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for $11. Please make checks payable to Sissy Logan and mail to Mrs. Fielding Logan, 1930 Tucker Lane, Salem, VA 24153. Checks must be received by Tuesday, April 20. For lunch information, email: sissylogan@gmail.com

REFRESHMENTS: Weather permitting, light refreshments will be served from 2-4 p.m. in the Moore garden, 2901 Avenham Ave.

SPECIAL EVENT: To celebrate Historic Garden Week, the Taubman Museum of Art, located in Downtown Roanoke, is offering half-price admission the day of the tour for all guests presenting their purchased tour tickets. Completed in November 2008, this $66 million project was designed by Randall Stout, a previous senior associate of Frank Gehry. Highlights of the museum include the Thomas Eakins collection, Judith Leiber Gallery and works of art by John Singer Sargent, Norman Rockwell and Winslow Homer. Guests are invited to view a floral interpretation of an artwork from the Museum's premier collection. Garden Week tour tickets may be purchased on the day of the tour at the museum. For more information, www.taubmanmuseum.org

A Self-Guided Tour of Homes and Gardens
Inspired by the Love of Art and Flowers

CHERRY HILL, 301 23rd Street. A masterpiece of Georgian architecture, this 90-year-old house was designed by New York architect A.J. Bodker, with influences from both Westover and Homewood plantations. The residence is built of fireproof, imported New York brick with a Vermont slate roof. Steel-beam construction eliminates load-bearing walls. Its most distinctive exterior feature is the front entrance with massive Corinthian columns and bricked walkways. Formerly used as the Roanoke Fine Arts Center, Cherry Hill stood vacant for three years before the present owners purchased the house in 1995 and began the process of restoring it to its former grandeur. Cherry Hill's three separate gardens have been restored with respect to the layout of the original plan, offering excellent views of South Roanoke. Jim Body and Winter Hodges, owners.

218 23rd STREET. Garden only. Originally built as part of Cherry Hill as a gardeners' house, this exquisite setting of a Greek Revival home and formal garden is exceptional. The house and garden are enclosed by a beautiful black and gold wrought-iron fence. A gracious front porch overlooks the lawn and large, fern-filled planters. The walk and porch are constructed from granite cobblestones, which came from the Hotel Roanoke reconstruction, and from marble salvaged from the First Union Bank lobby. To one side are a hornbeam hedge, holly trees and viburnum. Of note is a statue of an Indian and dog acquired from the Homestead resort, where it had been in the bar for many years. Open for the first time. Mr. and Mrs. Edwin C. Hall, owners.

2125 YELLOW MOUNTAIN ROAD. The Fairfax, Unit 108. The Fairfax is a 38-unit condominium building designed in Georgian style. Its perimeter is bordered with a variety of trees including hedge maples, Cryptomeria japonica, Leland cypress and pink dogwoods. The building contains underground parking, a health spa and clubroom, covered private terraces, and spacious open-floor plans, all located within close proximity to Roanoke's downtown and the South Roanoke Village. Overlooking First Presbyterian Church, the beautiful views of downtown Roanoke and Tinker and Read mountains make the terrace quite exceptional. Open for the first time. Bill and Carol Lee, owners.

2817 AVENHAM AVENUE. Built in 1958, this center-hall colonial was recently remodeled to add much-needed space for a busy family. An attractive columned entrance was added to the front of the house. A great-granddaughter of General George C. Marshall, Mrs. Burns displays a beautiful set of china belonging to General and Mrs. Marshall, and a large Chinese trunk used by the Marshalls when they traveled home from China after conferring with Chiang Kai Shek in 1946.Open for the first time. Webb and Molly Burns, owners.

2901 AVENHAM AVENUE. Garden Only. The gardens of this 1929 farmhouse-style residence were begun in 2006, after renovations to the house. Landscape architect Dan Chitwood has designed pebble and slate paths which encircle the house and invite visitors to the garden. A fountain invites visitors through a side path of boxwood, azalea, juniper and holly. The rear garden focal point is a crabapple surrounded by an octagonal wooden bench. The kitchen herb garden leads to a slate patio which features a water fountain and numerous planters brimming with colorful annuals. The garden flows with the garden next door, also open for the tour. The neighbors have designed gardens that are harmonious and complement each other while maintaining privacy. Open for the first time. Mr. and Mrs. T. Christopher Moore, owners.

2833 AVENHAM AVENUE. This two-story brick colonial was built in 1948 by local businessman Marvin Lemon, who lived there with his family for nearly 50 years. Tree-lined curved beds create a private front yard as one approaches the house from the original slate walkway. The traditional façade gives way to delights inside and the gardens beyond. Of special note is the artwork by the owner and her daughters. The airy living and dining rooms feature a combination of European antiques and contemporary furnishings acquired by the owner while living in Europe and on her world-wide travels. The "world's smallest powder room" is adorned with beautiful ceiling moldings and a leather floor. All main rooms open to the outside. French doors from the kitchen and dining room lead to a contemporary, Asian-inspired meditation garden with moss-covered beds. Highlights include a painting by Pearl Fu, a Zen gong made from salvaged materials, an antique Asian lantern and the sound of water from the stone fountain. Open for the first time. Mrs. Mary Newbold, owner.