Sometimes your neighbors can have the most beautiful garden settings that rival even a public garden.

Such is the case with the garden of Frank and Reggie Thomas of Haverford. The 55-year couple have been growing a sanctuary in their backyard for almost 40 years.

Now their garden is showcased in a new book by Rob Cardillo and Nicole Juday, writes Matteo Iadonisi for 6abc.

Private Gardens of Philadelphia, published in March 2024, features photos and text about 21 hidden gems in the region.  

Cardillo and Juday, who have worked together for the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, collaborated on the book for two years.

“We drive past driveways many times wondering what’s in somebody’s backyard,” Cardillo said. ‘People have created these idyllic Edens. We try to share them a little bit with the public.”

The book has photos of the gardens and stories about the people that created them and the history of the gardens.

When Frank and Reggie Thomas moved to their Haverford home 40 years ago, the property was covered with rubble from the Cheswold mansion that once belonged to Pennsylvania railroad magnate Alexander Cassatt.

The Thomas transformed the property into a serene Haverford garden refuge for their family.

Read more about these hidden garden gems at 6abc.