On Friday, Gardens by the Sea gave many budding horticulturists the opportunity to view the manicured lawns of seven Marion homes.

St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church sponsored the event, with proceeds from the tour to go to local and global outreach programs. Several hundred people were expected for the 13^th annual tour.

The Anchorage at 125 Allen’s Point Road had one of the most elaborate gardens on the tour. The European-style garden on one side of the house featured shaped hedgerows and purple hydrangea. Built in 1903, the home itself had a view of Marion Harbor, Ram Island and Cape Cod Canal.

Plants at home in the salty air were positioned around the large estate, which has been tended by gardener Jeff Osborn for decades.

10 Hammett’s Cove was another stop on the map. A rare Japanese pine tree greeted guests at the entrance of the home. The rear of the house gave a view of Sippican Harbor and featured bees buzzing around beach roses, hydrangea and cat mint.

After walking past the pool and around to the koi pond, one visitor commented: “If this isn’t peaceful, nothing is.”

At 7 Cove Circle, homeowner Gary Grainger was on hand to speak about his garden.

Grainger moved to his Piney Point home in 2011, and for the past four years, Holly Fortin has designed the grounds.

“It’s a work in progress,” said Grainger.

He said he wanted the gardens because it makes his home more homey.

“One of the things I believe in strongly is that it’s important to have a pretty place to come home to,” he said.

Farther down Point Road, Seagate was a popular site for garden-goers. Jeffrey Osborn has also maintained the gardens there since C.C. Dyer and Geraldo Rivera purchased the windy waterfront estate in 1994.

Several statues were featured around the grounds, but the most striking feature of the yard was the glass-enclosed pool that features hydrangeas and a view of the harbor.

All in all, the mostly cloudy day was a good one to tour some of the towns many creative outdoor spaces.

See more photos from the garden tour below.