Arboretum representatives are describing a free tour tomorrow (Sept. 18) as a preview of the fall season's first plant sale, scheduled for the following Saturday, Sept. 25.

The Sept. 18 tour is set to take place at the Arboretum Terrace Garden. "Take a guided stroll ... with Director of Horticulture Ellen Zagory to find great ideas for your home garden. ... Learn about combining plants in beds and containers for year-round interest."

Representatives said the tour will feature many plants that will be for sale at the Sept. 25 Plant Faire and Sale, especially California native plants and Arboretum All-Stars.

The plant sale is being held a week earlier than usual to help gardeners get a jump on their fall planting. A second fall sale is scheduled for Oct. 16.

Here are the details on the Arboretum Terrace Garden tour and the plant sales:

• Sept. 18 — The Arboretum Terrace Garden is a Mediterranean-style garden that is designed for year-round enjoyment. The garden features low-maintenance Mediterranean and California native plants in beds and containers. Birds and butterflies add to the beauty. The arboretum staff emphasizes water conservation and natural pest control, among the garden’s other safe and sustainable practices. 10 a.m. The garden is on the east side of Borders bookstore in the Davis Commons shopping center, First Street and Richards Boulevard.

• Sept. 25 — Plant Faire and Sale: Focus on California Native Plants — The first sale of the season is a cause for celebration, with children's activities and live music. Up for sale: hundreds of varieties of plants (including Arboretum All-Stars), all well suited for the Central Valley. Also featuring house plants and exotics from the Botanical Conservatory. Free admission. Open to members only from 9 to 11 a.m. and to the public at large from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. "Members" refers to members of Friends of the UC Davis Arboretum; you can join at the gate to get early admission as well as a free plant. All members receive a 10 percent discount. (See below for membership details.) The Plant Doctor clinic provides diagnoses and treatment suggestions for plant pests and diseases; bring your problem plants in sealed plastic bags. Arboretum Teaching Nursery, on Garrod Drive south of La Rue Road (the nursery is just beyond the Unitrans bus yard and across from the School of Veterinary Medicine).

• Oct. 16 — Plant Sale: Fall Is for Planting — With experienced gardeners on hand to help you choose the best plants for your garden designs and conditions. Members of Friends of the UC Davis Arborertum receive a 10 percent discount; you can sign up at the gate, thereby receiving the discount as well as a free plant. (See below for membership details.) Free admission. Open to the public, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Arboretum Teaching Nursery, on Garrod Drive south of La Rue Road (the nursery is just beyond the Unitrans bus yard and across from the School of Veterinary Medicine).

MORE AT THE ARBORETUM

Folk Music Jam Sessions — Pull out your fiddles, guitars, mandolins, penny whistles, pipes, flutes, squeezeboxes — you name it! — and join your fellow musicians during the lunch hour for a little bluegrass, old-time, blues, Celtic, klezmer and other world music. All skill levels welcome. Listeners, too! Noon today (Sept. 17), and Oct. 1, 15 and 29, Wyatt Deck

Romeo and Juliet — Co-presented by the arboretum and the Davis Shakespeare Ensemble. 8 p.m. Sept. 17-19 and 23-26, gazebo. See separate story for ticket information, including how to reserve tickets.

Outstanding Oaks! — A tour of the arboretum’s world-class oak collection, with special emphasis on the new Oak Discovery Trail and the ways in which these majestic trees adapt to their environments 10 a.m. Sept. 25, gazebo.

Perennials in the Garden — A tour of mature perennials (flowering plants that can live for several years), with information on how to add such plants to your own gardens. The best time for planting in inland California is during the cool, rainy weather of fall and winter, when the plants’ root systems can become established before the hot, dry summer. 10 a.m. Sept. 26, gazebo.

All tours are free and open to the public. More information: (530) 752-4880 or arboretum.ucdavis.edu (for directions, click on “Plan Your Visit”).

Annual membership: $15 student, $40 individual, $60 family/household. Membership can be arranged online, or call (530) 752-4880.