Members of St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church had a lot to be happy about on Friday, July 13. With clear skies and over 200 reservations, member Hanna Milhench said the 10th Gardens by the Sea tour also proved to be the most popular yet.

With five gardens on the tour and a luncheon at the Kittansett Club for more than 220 people, Milhench said the tour drew several newcomers.

The success of the event has shown in its growing numbers over the years, she said. Four residents have already asked to feature their gardens in next year’s tour.

“I love doing it,” Milhench said. “It’s a lot of work but it’s a lot of fun.”

The group uses the funds from the tour to support church programs and local charities.

As for how long the tour will endure, Milhench said it has become a town tradition.

“We’ve reached the point where we cannot quit,” Milhench said.

Here are a few facts from each stop on the tour:

17 Moorings Road

The gardens owned by Dick Arthur and Sally Fallon feature more than 400 rhododendrons and azaleas.

1 Allen Street

Owned by Dagmar and George Unhoch, this home was built in the Queen Anne style in 1885 as a summer cottage.

60 Water Street

Doug and Cindy Crocker’s garden has expanded since it was first featured on the tour four years ago.

With a large “New England style” garden, the Crocker’s home includes various types of miniature evergreens, florals and a waterfall Koi pond.

St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church

Since last year, the church’s courtyard has been redone and includes new florals and benches.

Register Road

Lina Schuessler has transformed her land into a memorial garden for her daughter Jillien, her husband Mike and their children Makayla and Bryce. The garden has an Eastern influence. Schuessler uses several Japanese maples and irises, a Sangu Kaku, Russian sage, rhododendrons, hydrangeas and daisies.

310 Point Road

Rico Ferrari and Judith Havens have worked to transform their gardens into “art.”

“Our garden has taught us a good lesson that relates to art and life - that it is not OK to be great. That it is great to just experiment with things and maybe fail and try again. Improvements can sometimes happen serendipitously until suddenly you can do something that you couldn’t see or do before,” Ferrari said in a statement released by the church.

For more photos of the tour, check out the video slideshow!