Rose Romboski sits on a bench in her porch garden. The second annual Beautiful Gardens of Cranberry Township Tour is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 19. Six diverse gardens are included in the self-guided event.

CRANBERRY TWP — Area garden enthusiasts can get ideas or just enjoy the flora and fauna in six impressive local gardens.

The second annual Beautiful Gardens of Cranberry Township Tour will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 19. Participants will meet at the Cranberry Township Municipal Center to get their booklets including directions to the six diverse gardens on the tour, then they can set off at their own pace to view the creations.

Alice Krejdovsky, president of the Southwestern Butler County Garden Club, said 200 people attended last year's inaugural event.

She said money raised through the tour, which is $15 per presale-only ticket, is donated to local charities and projects as well as toward library books on gardening.

She said this year's proceeds will also benefit the Botanical Gardens of Western Pennsylvania, a large venue near Settler's Ridge, Allegheny County.

Krejdovsky said the tour allows participants to see the many different types of gardens created and enjoyed by those of the green thumb.

"Last year, the people who went through were just amazed," said Krejdovsky. "They got see gardens they wouldn't get to see otherwise."

Club member Gina Bianchi, who founded the tour and continues to help organize it, said the gardens in this year's tour stretch from Treesdale in Adams Township to Baden, Beaver County.

Bianchi said one garden overlooks the Treesdale Golf Course and includes two ponds with waterfalls and a stream that connects them. The garden includes rustic seating among the mixed perennials tucked into nooks and crannies throughout the "Secret Garden" theme.

"It's just stunning," said Bianchi.

She said one in Baden, which is just past the Butler County border into Beaver County, was created by an artist who organizes her garden each year and then paints it. Bianchi said that gardener will display a few of her paintings during the tour.

Another garden in New Sewickley, Beaver County, features a porch that wraps around three sides of a home, all decorated with various plantings.

Bianchi said participants are automatically entered into a basket raffle, and a huge garden basket will be given away in a separate raffle.

Two gardens behind the Sample Schoolhouse at the township building will be manned by Penn State master gardeners, who will answer questions.

Participants also will receive goody bags to sustain them during the garden tour.

"Whether they are serious gardeners or just want to get out for the day, it's a wonderful way to spend the day," said Bianchi. "Several of those who went on last year's tour have become (garden club) members."

Krejdovsky said she enjoys demonstrating the joys of designing and creating a garden that suits the gardener's personality and style.

"Gardening never stops," said Krejdovsky. "You're always redecorating."

Tickets for the 2010 Beautiful Gardens of Cranberry Township Tour are available by sending a check payable to South Butler County Garden Club and a self-addressed stamped envelope to Rachel Lapina, 195 Village Drive, Cranberry Township, PA 16066.

Tickets are $15 per person. Tickets, driving instructions and brief descriptions of the gardens on the tour will then be returned.

<B>WHAT: </B>Second annual self-guided Beautiful Gardens of Cranberry Township Tour hosted by the Southwestern Butler County Garden Club<B>WHEN: </B>10 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 19<B>WHERE: </B>Participants will meet at the Cranberry Township Municipal Center to get their booklets including directions to the six gardens.<B>COST:</B> $15 pre-sale only<B>INFO: </B>To purchase tickets, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to Rachel Lapina, 195 Village Drive, Cranberry Township, PA 16066.