The "garden party" is being promoted by Greater Philadelphia Gardens, the nonprofit organization representing 29 public gardens and arboretums in the area. It used to be called the Gardens Collaborative.

Whatever you call it, its member gardens attract more than two million visitors a year, roughly double the draw for the Philadelphia Eagles last season.

So: Time out for a "garden party."

It will have some standbys, such as the garden railway at Morris Arboretum in Chestnut Hill; the tea ceremony at Shofuso, the Japanese house in Fairmount Park; and the green-roof tours at Scott Arboretum in Swarthmore.

There will be some unusual attractions, too, such as the farmer's market for heirloom produce and flowers grown at Wyck, the historic house museum in Germantown; the celebration of strawberries at Camden Children's Garden, and the insect hunt in the meadow at Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve in New Hope.

Beyond this, several area gardens are positioning themselves as entertainment venues. For my money, nothing beats an evening in the garden (except maybe an afternoon in the garden), enjoying wine and jazz.

Not to be outdone, Chanticleer in Wayne hosts a performance by Music & Motion Dance called "Continents: A Global Voyage." This company's young dancers have performed to raise money and awareness for causes ranging from HIV-AIDS to hurricane victims.

They call what they'll be doing at Chanticleer June 20 "a world fusion experiment." I call it fun.

Information: www.greaterphiladelphiagardens.org.

- Virginia A. Smith