As you headed over to Anita Terrace, you entered the gardens of Sandy and Chris Ricchezza. Sandy's love for lilies and iris was obvious as you entered their yard. Visitors were overwhelmed with so many of these perennials in bloom, with color combinations as magnificent as the flowers. You were also able to see how many other plant materials such as, astilbe, hosta, ferns and ornamental grasses were integrated into this garden wonderland. Sandy has been able to enhance her above-the-ground pool and decking by working her gardens around them. She has utilized her garden space to the fullest in a very impressive way. Sandy's gardens were wonderful to visit.

Next we moved on to Brooks Hill Road to the gardens of Carla, Ray, and Jonathan Rogozinski. These gardens are part of an old historic home that once served as the Parsonage for the Congregational Church and was built in 1854. As you entered their yard you could feel that historical presence in the first garden you observed, which was offset by a fieldstone patio and walkway. Next, you walked through a beautiful arched arbor that Ray designed and built, and were drawn into their vegetable garden on one side and an enormous perennial garden on the other side. Their vegetable garden was bordered with huge sunflowers that were starting to bloom. There were also little garden rooms where you could sit and relax or just stroll through the many grass-lined paths where you might even observe the bunnies skirting about or Jillian and Jonathan serving cookies and a cold drink.

Our next stop was at the home of Linda and Mike Bruce on Bound Line Road. These gardens, which have been in the making for many years, gave the viewer the feeling of country elegance. They covered an extremely vast area that blended into the natural landscape. Their driveway, which was bordered with a variety of plant materials, guided you into this natural wonderland. You could enter their gardens in several ways. A shade garden with a water feature under their high decking along one side of the house guided you into the backyard or a sloped ledge area lead you around to the side of the house and then into the backyard. It was interesting to see the way they worked their gardens into the slope of the land and used the rocks and native plant material to further enhance their gardens. When you entered the backyard, you were drawn into a separate garden that was bordered by a picket fence. You entered this beautiful garden through an arbor that was covered with established wisteria vines. Inside the garden, you wound your way though a perennial maze until you reached a welcoming bench where you could sit and enjoy the view.