Sponsors: The Mill Mountain Garden Club, The Roanoke Valley Garden Club

Tickets: $20; ages 6-12, half-price

Info: (540) 345-1734; www.VAGardenweek.org

Lunches: Boxed, $10; 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; South Roanoke United Methodist Church, 2330 Jefferson St. SE. Reservations by April 22; checks to Libba Lemon; mail to Libba Lemon, 3169 W. Ridge Road, SW, Roanoke, VA 24014.

Info: (540) 342-8616; libbalemon@cox.net.

Roanoke is known as "The Star City of the South" because of the 88-foot l man-made star atop Mill Mountain. Coincidentally, the Shenandoah Valley was named by Native Americans who called the area "Shenandoah, daughter of the stars."

Tour highlights:

Persian rugs and English and American antiques decorate the interior of 2705 Longview Ave. (Mr. and Mrs. Robert C. Lawson, owners), a 1922 brick Georgian Colonial house. An American (Shenandoah Valley) step-back cupboard with its original glass, c.1830, and an unusual Federal fireplace mantel are in the living room. Large central hallways and a two-level kitchen give a spacious feel to the house. A raised, circular deck off the kitchen offers views of the patio with a water feature and extensive landscaping.

Known as "The Bishop's House," and owned by the Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Virginia for almost 70 years, the Tudor-style house at 2730 Avenham Ave. (Mr. and Mrs. R. Gil Lynch III, owners) was built in 1932. When the owners purchased the house in 2001, they decided to keep the original feel of the structure, so renovations were minor. The gardens are designed to bloom from early spring through fall, with a variety of color and texture throughout. A statue of the Roman goddess Minerva is a focal point of the landscape.

Built in 1926, the house at 2629 Avenham Ave. (Dr. and Mrs. Eric D. Swisher, owners) has a whitewashed brick exterior and slate roof. The interior is filled with antiques collected by the owners while living and traveling in Europe. Favorite pieces include German and Scandinavian armoires, French and American ice boxes, an English chest and a French antique bed that has been converted to a hall bench. Faux-finished walls display works by artists Ann Hale, Betsy Glassie, Celeste Corbin, Lucia Sarto, Joan Limbrick and Deborah McGee. A sunken garden with a Japanese maple collection was originally designed by Blue Ridge Parkway landscape architect Stanley Abbott.

Built in the Tudor-Revival style, Fairacres, 2713 Avenham Ave., (Mr. and Mrs. J. David Wine, owners) is a historic estate that was in need of protection. The owners are experienced preservationists who purchased the residence in 2003. They have restored the home with sensitivity to the existing structure and layout. Original chestnut paneling was treated to reveal the beauty and age of the grain. A modern gourmet kitchen was created from a former service kitchen, scullery and butler's pantry. The 2½-acre property now features a woodland garden at the north end of the house, a vegetable garden at the south end and parklike landscaping at the front.

?Attend the garden statuary lecture and demonstration featuring containers and statuary from Black Dog Salvage, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., South Roanoke United Methodist Church.