They call it an annual event, but wouldn’t “perennial” be more appropriate? After all, the Bainbridge in Bloom Garden Tour has come back every year for the past 17, and it is back this year healthier than ever.

The 18th annual tour of seven gardens on Bainbridge takes place July 14, 15 and 16, and features the main tour, an art fair, gardening demonstrations, a plant sale and more.

The event starts July 14 with an exclusive garden preview tour, which is a chance to visit the gardens by private car rather than by shuttle bus, unlimited visits during the weekend and other perks. Tickets range from the “Garden Enthusiast” at $125 to the “Benefactor” at $350. Benefactors receive a guided tour with gardening expert Lucy Hardiman, a tour of a French-inspired garden with lunch provided, and a place at the evening garden dinner party, catered by chef Robert Freitag.

The locations of the gardens is somewhat of a secret, but each has a theme. “Planting a Seed” features a non-profit garden that is used for teaching purposes. Students learn to grow edible plants and herbs while learning about the environment.

“A Moment of Rest Upon the Wind” is an exercise in good neighboring, with a side yard shared between two neighbors and offering restful, expansive views. “Paths to Tranquility” is the garden on the other side of this good neighbor policy, and features terraced beds on the west-facing slope filled with drought-tolerant plants.

“Bold and Artful” is a lawn-free garden — every inch is filled with beautiful plants and unique artwork, inspired by the owner’s trips to Europe and Southeast Asia.

Continuing the continental theme is “Gardens Around the Globe,” a garden with the feel of Tuscany, complete with intimate patios, a formal herb garden and espaliered fruit trees. “A Hillside Haven” provides a chance to see what can be accomplished in two short seasons on a steep hillside. Think waterfall, spiraling stone patios and a hilltop pergola with a view. Finally, garden number seven is “A Place to Play and Learn,” a garden at a private elementary school which teaches children the interdependence of all things, and includes a palm tree along with native plants.

The Bainbridge in Bloom festival site at Bainbridge High School is open to the public, with an arts fair, food court, plant sale with plants from local nurseries and container gardening demonstrations.

Tour-goers can opt to reserve a spot at a luncheon served at one of the gardens.

There is no individual parking at any of the tour gardens. Access is by shuttle buses only, which depart regularly from the festival site. There is a Bike the Bloom option for cyclists, with information at the garden tour booth at the festival site.

Bainbridge in Bloom takes place noon to 9 p.m. July 14 for the Preview Tour and Garden Party, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 15 and 16 for the general tour.

Tickets are $30 adults, $15 children ages 4-12, $20 for cyclists. Tickets are available online at www.gardentour.info, by phone at (206) 219-3182 or at selected ticket outlets. For information call (206) 842-7901. The annual tour is sponsored by the Bainbridge Island Arts and Humanities Council. Proceeds from the tour benefit the non-profit organization’s many programs.