MARYSVILLE, CA (MPG) - From whimsical container gardens to shaded backyard retreats, this year’s American Association of University Women Garden Tour invited visitors to step behind the gates of some of the area’s most thoughtfully designed outdoor spaces.

Held Saturday, May 2, the 32nd annual self-guided tour featured nine gardens throughout Marysville and one in Yuba City, continuing the organization’s tradition of highlighting a different area of the Yuba-Sutter region each year. Guests explored the sites at their own pace between 10 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., with a central reception hosted at the historic Mary Aaron Museum.

A frog fountain adds character to a D Street garden, where playful details complement the surrounding plantings.

While each garden reflected its owner’s personal style, a common thread ran throughout the tour, creativity rooted in lived experience, climate awareness and a desire to create welcoming spaces. At 260 B St. in Yuba City, the lone garden outside Marysville offered a glimpse into a California native landscape surrounding an Italianate Victorian home dating to the late 1870s. Designed with sustainability in mind, the space emphasized low-water plants and natural materials while preserving the historic character of the property.

In Marysville, a variety of approaches to gardening were on display. At 2402 Buchanan St., Denise’s “Whimsical Garden” lived up to its name, blending potted arrangements, sculptural elements and bold color choices into what she described as a “curated outdoor gallery.” Containers of varying heights created layers of texture and movement, while decorative accents and unexpected focal points encouraged exploration.

Just down the street at 2406 Buchanan St., Jim and Susan Arostegui’s yard reflected decades of family life. Featuring fruit trees, succulents and a long-loved koi pond, including a fish nicknamed “Moby Dick,” the garden balanced practicality with sentiment, shaped over years of trial, error and memory-making.

A poolside lounge area anchors the backyard of a Buchanan Street home, blending garden design with functional outdoor living.

Other stops highlighted drought-conscious landscaping and functional design. At 2134 Greely Drive, a low-water yard replaced traditional lawn with gravel, native grasses and flowering lantana, accented by shaded seating areas and a drip irrigation system designed for efficiency.

Meanwhile, at 2115 Sampson St., a hardscape-focused garden combined bold textures and vibrant plantings to create a layered, welcoming environment. Ground cover softened stone pathways while trees provided shade during the region’s hot summer months.

Across the tour, many homeowners emphasized adaptability, using potted plants, native species and water-wise techniques to respond to changing climate conditions while maintaining visual interest. The event also incorporated local artists, whose work was displayed throughout the gardens, adding another layer of creativity and reinforcing the tour’s role as both a cultural and community gathering.

Proceeds from the annual tour support AAUW’s local educational programs and initiatives, including STEM opportunities for girls, scholarships and partnerships with area organizations such as libraries, museums and youth programs. Founded in 1881, AAUW works to advance gender equity through research, education and advocacy. The Marysville-Yuba City branch continues that mission locally, using events like the garden tour to fund programs while bringing the community together.

A gravel pathway leads through drought-tolerant plantings beneath a shaded pergola at a Greely Drive home, highlighting water-wise design.