I'm always surprised at how many plants the homeowners and the master gardeners do not know the names for. If you know you have one that isn't common - you should make a point to mark it or have a handout describing the unusual ones.

how hardy/performance - I saw a beautiful Jack Frost last night and asked how old it was (if it had made it through any winters) since I'd heard they are borderline hardy.

how agressive/self seeder?

art - where/who did it come from - and if home made, how.

personal stories - how you got started/what keeps you going or why/how some plant come to have special meaning.

Last year's tour had a large property that had a large amount of white astilbe. When I asked, I found that it had all come from one mother plant and been divided over the years and that the plant had some with this individual from Germany. Loved that story!

Hey there Leaves-
I havn't been to too many- but these things do come to mind-
To feel welcome-
Paper and pen/pencils for notes- if I have forgotten mine-
Envelopes for seeds and permission to help my self to a few- (Yep- that's me alright....) Call it a party favour-
A general over-view of how this place came to be-
A few favorites and why-
To know the best way to contact gardner and if it is OK to at a later date- for questions unanswered, or what have you-
Hey- almost all of that could be accomplished by a paper handout!
A place for a shady seat to beat the heat-
The ability to hear the speaker-
Labels labels labels and breif printed outlines or discriptions of different techniques (raised beds- rain gardens- air or tip layering) being used- or contraptions (hoop houses- rain barrels- favorite tool) that you found have helped you do what you do! Posted near the object it outlines is very helpful when one can't be everywhere to answer everyones questions-
I like to take home with me a sense of place first and foremost- an understanding of the gardener who helped create the place- and lots of information learned-
oh- and maybe a few seeds (yup- that's me again) to provide a fond connection to that place/person that is revisited in the mind as the seeds grow- Be it seeds of knowledge or friendship or plant material-
I hope this is helpful- and isn't too odd- or off base-
The tour of your place will be wonderful! Remeber to breath- take a moment and take yourself out of being the hostess- and enjoy being there- all the way there with all the senses and none of the "self" talk- Then repeat-
Have fun!
Julie