“I’ve come to realize what gifts a garden can give, if the person is open to receiving them,” Donna Fancy mused recently. “Patience is one of these gifts.” Her development of what was once a bare construction site has taken place over two decades, and will be shared with the public on Saturday, June 28, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., as part of the Belfast Garden Club Open Garden Days. The garden is located at 33 Londonderry Lane in Belfast. Admission is $5.

This stunning sequence of gardens, designed entirely by Fancy, a retired CPA, features a challenging sloped site. With a goal of limiting the amount of lawn, she began to establish gardens in full sun. Over time, the tree canopy has spread and more shade has come to previously sunny spots. Spontaneity, flexibility, and determination have been the cornerstones of this gardener’s practice. “It will never be done, and that is fine with me,” said Fancy. “If you allow your curiosity to lead you into the vast world of plants, it can be an amazing experience.”

The proceeds from the Open Garden Days help to fund the Belfast Garden Club’s educational and community projects, including the maintenance of 13 public gardens in Belfast, book purchases for Waldo County libraries, scholarships, and gardens in the public schools.