From lush native landscapes to tiny but stunning backyards, nine Niagara-on-the-Lake residents opened their private gardens to the public last weekend for the NOTL Horticultural Society’s annual garden tour.

The garden tour, which has been running for more than 30 years, tries to find nine new personal gardens to highlight every year.

Garden hosts are members, or become members, of the Horticultural Society and are selected by a nine-person committee.

Susan Jurbala, co-chair of the society and committee member, said it’s important to have a variety of garden sizes and styles featured on the tour.

“We like to show (small gardens) off because what they’ve done is spectacular but in a small space. Others are naturalized gardens with native plants, some are very showy,” Jurbala said.

One gardener, Nancy Jackson, said she was worried her garden would be too small, but was pleasantly surprised to receive so much positive feedback.

“People have told me they’re taking inspiration from my garden for theirs,” Jackson said. “That was nice to see.”

June Miklossy, another gardener featured in the event, said there were hundreds of visitors who stopped by her house throughout the day. She said she was happy with the high turnout considering the heat and humidity.

“There’s been people from the area, people from Toronto and people from the states,” Miklossy said. “It shows that people really care.”