Garden Tea & Tour

On a sunny late Saturday afternoon of May 16, the team hosted its very first Garden Tea & Tour at Firestone HQ– and what a success it was! Behind the scenes, there was plenty of buzzing activity– tidying up the garden, staking plant labels, setting up tables, prepping flowers and food, and adding some charming décor. Throughout the event, lots of helping hands kept things running smoothly at all stations and activities.

Bo shared with guests her journey of transforming her yard by replacing the lawn with California natives, low-water plants, and edibles. She led a relaxed tour, explaining what makes a cottage garden special and how the main planting zones help balance beauty, function, and ecology. Guests got to ask questions and dive into the details. 

HQ Cottage Garden Zones

Groundcover	Low-growing plants between flagstones in the open area of the garden.
Annual Border	Seasonal plants along the front walkway for color and variety.
Mixed Border	Combination of evergreen and deciduous shrubs and flowering perennials for layered texture and continuous interest.
Hedge	Dense row of evergreen shrubs used for privacy and wildlife habitat along the property line.
Shade Garden	Area with a mix of shade-loving plants in front of the home off the front of the steps.
Utility Area	Functional space for storage, composting, equipment, or service access (and the berry patch!)
Trees	A variety of shade trees, ornamental trees, and fruit trees are essential!

(Learn more about cottage gardens here: California Cottage Garden Style)

For those who love flowers, a floral arranging workshop was set up, ran by Bo’s mom and our helper Olivia. Fresh blooms selected that very morning were tucked into mason jars tied with ribbons as charming floral keepsakes.

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A large table was beautifully arranged inside with plenty of tea and tasty refreshments for guests to help themselves, including spring rolls, steamed dumplings, a charcuterie board with homemade loquat jam, and Bo’s focaccia topped with garden-picked flowers. Tables were set up out on the backyard deck, shaded by tents, to provide a cozy spot for guests to relax and enjoy their refreshments.

(For Bo's Focaccia recipe, check out our blog: Team Hike & Picnic)

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A photobooth station was also present, featuring a green antique bench decorated with orchids and sunflowers, set against Bo’s lush backyard– a fun spot for the guests to snap memories!

Clockwise: Kaitlyn, Bo, Sarah, Phen, Olivia, (and Ginger)

For a first-time event, this Garden Tea & Tour went wonderfully, and the team is already looking forward to doing it again sometime in the future! Huge thanks to everyone who stopped by!

Drop us a comment below and let us know what you’d like to see at the next one!