Guests strolled through the historic Borough of Stonington and discovered the beauty hidden beyond its garden gates. The 2026 tour featured twelve gardens, seven of which had never before appeared on a garden tour. Visitors explored waterfront landscapes, formal terraced gardens, and intimate pocket gardens reflecting a wide range of styles. A tented Marketplace on Wadawanuck Square featured 31 vendors offering garden-inspired goods, clothing, jewelry, and home décor. The Stonington Garden Club’s cookbook, Nature’s Bounty, was also available. As part of the Club’s Centennial and Native Plant Project, the Stonington Garden Club enhanced its community gardens with native plantings. Visitors enjoyed both the Wayland’s Wharf Rain Garden and the Post Office Garden, as well as the COMO Children’s Learning Garden, an example of regenerative gardening and education. Many gardens featured on-site educators, including Master Gardeners, horticulturists, and landscape designers, who shared their knowledge and answered questions throughout the tour. Plein air artists painted in selected gardens, adding another dimension to the experience. The Stonington Garden Club extends its sincere thanks to the homeowners, volunteers, educators, artists, sponsors, and visitors who helped make Gardens by the Sea 2026 a success.