Annual Real Gardens of Amenia Tour shows a varied sampling of local gardens

AMENIA — Always an annual draw, the Amenia Garden Tour, titled “Real Gardens of Amenia,” drew a steady stream of visitors to admire five local gardens on Saturday, July 12, each one presenting a different gardening vibe, but all specializing in beauty of layout and blooms. A true community feel, the event was an activity planned by the Amenia Garden Club and supported by Paley’s Garden Center in Sharon.

With the exception of the manicured beauty of Wethersfield, one of the five stops on the tour, the remaining four gardens were spectacular showings of gardens in progress, evolving from season to season, under the informed care and dedication of their owners, assisted by their bright green thumbs.

“Anyone can garden,” said Michael Peek as he greeted visitors to Wethersfield, pleased that the grand showcase gardens were part of the tour. He expressed amazement that so many local residents are not familiar with that “most beautiful place.”

Also on the tour was Emily Fuller’s Teeniepaw Cottage garden pathways brimming with color and texture with attention to finding just the right location for a plant or tree to thrive. Her garden is attractive to birds and insects alike.

The Stefanopoulos family opened their expansive garden property to the Garden Club for the first time this year, allowing visitors to see orchards, perennials, and vegetables.

Welcoming visitors during the Amenia Garden Club annual tour, Real Gardens of Amenia, on Saturday, July 12, was Garden Club vice president Nina Peek, stationed near the entrance to the Stefanopoulos family garden.Leila Hawken

“I’m delighted by the variety of gardens,” said Garden Club vice president Nina Peek, welcoming visitors to the Stefanopoulos property.

“It’s a positive thing for the community to enjoy this annual event,” Peek added.

Also included on the tour was the impressive garden of Jim Flaherty developed over 15 years surrounding his home that is a converted and renovated dairy barn. He and his late partner, Bob Skibsted, developed the garden landscape from weedy terrain into breathtaking beauty that visitors enjoyed on the tour.

Thomas Tunk’s Wassaic garden offered colorful repose in the rear of his home, demonstrating gardening possibilities in a limited area, intriguingly close to the railroad tracks. The tracks only come to mind when a train speeds past, leaning on the horn. Tunk’s garden project began in 2020 during the pandemic when outdoor activities were popular. A theme to the planning was to create a collection of plants and that collection, now happily in bloom, proved to be a delight to Garden Club tour visitors.