Unless an invited guest, one rarely sees the back yard of a home. The Beaufort County Community College Foundation is looking to change that with its biennial garden tour slated for Saturday. Eight gardens are featured on this year’s tour. Some are repeats, others are brand new to the tour, but all the gardeners were happy to lend their yards to the tour.

“The community has opened their gardens and opened their arms because it’s for a good cause,” said Serena Sullivan, executive director of the foundation. “It all goes to scholarships. Over 80 percent of our students rely on financial assistance in some form.”

This year’s tour includes the landscaping of some of Washington’s most historic homes: the circa-1840 Hollyday House and Elmwood, built in 1820.

The antebellum Hollyday House boasts a more formal garden of American boxwood, while Elmwood takes a softer approach of flowering bushes such as azalea and gardenia. Tucked into the back of another West Main Street home is a gem of a garden, one that draws visitors in to explore further. From a small parterre, to a rose arbor, to the far reaches of the yard where brick-paved paths line beds, Sandy Ratcliff has described his garden as a “geometric and formal with a little randomness thrown in.”

On the other end of Main Street, Michael Messner’s back yard is a more casual formal, filled to bursting with roses, boxwood and herbs, while water elements provide a soothing backdrop to the greenery.

“It’s amazing what’s in someone’s back yard. You just don’t know what’s back there,” Sullivan said.

Other gardens on the tour include those of a River Road home that backs up to the Washington Yacht & Country Club golf course, as well as a one with rolling hills framed by post and rail wood fences.

“That property alone — everybody goes by there and says it’s always been so beautiful and they’ve wanted to drive up there,” Sullivan said. “Now’s their opportunity.”

Sullivan said it’s relatively easy to find people willing to put their yards on the tour. Since it takes place every other year, she has plenty of time to get recommendations and do a little scouting of her own.

“Honestly, I drive through neighborhoods, and say, ‘That’s a pretty garden,’ and reach out,” Sullivan said. “It’s really like a treasure hunt is how I see it.”

Other participants use the tour as another opportunity altogether.

“A few said yes because it motivates them to get their gardens going,” Sullivan laughed.

The self-guided tour will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, and BCCC ambassadors will serve as docents at each property. Tickets are $20 and are available at the Coffee Caboose, located at 111 S. McNair St. in Washington.