A garden tour co-presented by Nansemond River Garden Club will lead participants on an enjoyable and insightful tour of an established Portsmouth neighborhood in the spring.

For the Garden Club of Virginia’s Historic Garden Week — a statewide celebration of gardens with the flavor of history — “Green Acres is the Place to Be” will visit gardens and homes in the namesake neighborhood between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on April 26.

Portsmouth’s Green Acres is bordered by High Street West, the western branch of the Elizabeth River, Sterns Creek and Sterling Point Drive.

“Its scenic waterfront also surrounds Lake Jean,” Sue Comer, publicity chair of Elizabeth River Garden Club — also presenting the tour — stated in an announcement about the event.

The homes display a diversity of architectural styles, from Williamsburg, Georgian, federal (and) colonial, to ranch and contemporary.

“Most homes on the tour are situated on the western branch of the Elizabeth River,” Comer stated.

At $30 in advance, tickets are available in Suffolk at Smithfield Gardens, 1869 Bridge Road, and at the Seaboard Station Railroad Museum, 326 N. Main St.

On the day of the tour, tickets can be purchased for $35 at a “hospitality tent” at Green Acres Presbyterian Church, 3135 Hanley Ave., Portsmouth.

The church will also offer lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. for $12 per person, but it must be pre-ordered and pre-paid. Indicate your choice of a chicken salad plate or vegetarian salad plate — along with dessert and beverage — and send a check payable to Jean Knapp at 5319 Shoal Creek Rd., Suffolk, VA 23435. Reservations also can be made by calling 686-2223 or emailing bobnap5319@charter.net, Comer added.

In addition to the tour, Newport News flower gardening expert Lisa Zieglar will speak on growing great flowers at the Presbyterian church at 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Portsmouth Master Gardeners will also answer questions in the garden of 2901 Tanbark and 3122 Sterling Point Drive.

Comer noted that all homes on the tour are designated River Star Homes, “to further the garden clubs’ mission of conservation and to demonstrate their dedication to restoring the health of the Elizabeth River for people and wildlife.”

“These homeowners have agreed to do seven simple things to help restore the river, including reducing their use of lawn fertilizers,” Comer stated.

The tour, she added, raises money to restore historic gardens throughout the state. The Nansemond River and Elizabeth River clubs co-present the tour reach year.

For more detailed descriptions of the homes and other information, visit www.ergardenclub.org or www.vagardenweek.org.