Sponsor: Garden Club of Fairfax

Tickets: $25; ages 6-12, $10

Info: (703) 759-6573; www.VAGardenweek.org

The Great Falls area of Virginia is tucked in an exclusive enclave 15 miles from the nation's capital. Follow the George Washington Memorial Parkway to Great Falls Park and be surrounded by 800 acres of history and nature.

Tour highlights:

The original stacked-stone foundation was preserved at 347 Walker Road (Michael and Kelly Malesardi, owners) where three generations had lived in the 1942 family farmhouse. Now traditional and contemporary features combine to make this a livable home for a modern young family. Antique quilts, handmade baskets and paintings decorate the interior.

Special paint finishes provide an attractive backdrop for the family's art collection at 100 Interpromontory Road (Ken de Laski, owner). The brick Georgian house, built in 1984, has six fireplaces. A conservatory, constructed entirely of mahogany, offers a panoramic view of the stone terrace, wrought-iron walled swimming pool and garden areas.

Multiple garden areas embellish 704 Gouldman Lane (Allie and Ellen Ash, owners) where themed areas include conifers, succulents, a woodland area, perennial, rose and white gardens. Wandering paths lead to plantings of rhododendron, trillium, vine-covered trees and an abundance of springtime bulbs. The contemporary house, with accents of stone and glass, was built in 1981.

These garden designers wanted their relatively new garden at 9315 Georgetown Pike garden only (Charles and Elizabeth Owen, owners) to look as if it had been there for generations. They sought to recreate the romance and beauty of the Provence region of France. The formal garden features an oval bowling green, surrounded by boxwood, blooming crab apple and pale pink Marie Pavier roses. The upper garden has been the site of several weddings. Garden rooms highlight the Bocce court, pool with water spray, stone spa and outdoor kitchen. 

* View a collection of luxury cars, including Maseratis, Ferraris and Lamborghinis at 704 Gouldman Lane.