Fran Alferman of Sunset Hills began gardening years 15 ago to keep from dwelling on her father’s illness.

Today, the gardens around her home on Windsor Spring Drive have been recognized as the second most beautiful in a contest conducted as part of the city’s 50th anniversary celebration.

Alferman’s efforts have turned her yard into an inviting private sanctuary.

“It was kind of a stress reliever,” she said. “I wanted to do something besides mope around and wait for the phone to ring to see how (her father) was doing. I started with a little patch in the back and it just kept growing. I think I’ve pretty much run out of space. I guess I could do the cul-de-sac next. It could use a little color.”

Alferman said her favorite part of the garden is the back that yields generous shade and privacy.

“Every year, the trees just keep getting bigger,” she said. “It’s shady all the time.”

Another favorite is the prairie garden that she installed with her granddaughter.

“It’s really fun to see the children get into gardening, to do what they like with the dirt,” she said.

Alferman works on the garden an hour or two in the morning and an hour in the evening. In the spring, when it’s cooler, she puts in extra hours on the weekends.

“It’s just a hobby that took off,” she said. “It’s relaxing, really. I don’t grow it to eat it — just to display. I feel like I’ve accomplished something.”