A splash of red in the tulip garden, a hint of purple on a blooming shrub, staged against a background of green foliage which deepens as spring turns to summer.

Flowering crab trees add hues to the spectrum as they fill the air with a sweet scent.

Each spring, Litchfield residents and visitors can look forward to seeing Anderson Gardens on the northeast shore of Lake Ripley once again in spectacular full bloom.

Toward fall, it's another visual treat as colors deepen, and monarch butterflies visit during their annual migration.

Throughout the season, there's always something new to see, said Lori Dahlberg of Dassel, president of the steering committee for the gardens. "Something's blooming almost all the time."

With no closing time and no entrance fees, "the city of Litchfield is lucky to have such a beautiful garden that everyone can enjoy," Dahlberg said. "It's such a nice focal point for Litchfield."

Anderson Gardens was dedicated August 1992 on a plot of land donated to the city of Litchfield in 1990 by Natalie Talbot of Florida, a cousin of Andrew J. Anderson, who built a home on the property. Anderson Gardens is named after A. J. Anderson, a Civil War veteran, who moved to Litchfield in 1876 where he was a hardware and implement dealer.

After the land was donated, community volunteers had a vision for a mini-arboretum. It didn't take long for city leaders to catch the vision.

Today, "it's recognized statewide," said Anderson Gardens steering committee member Larry Schlauderaff.

Tour groups stop to walk through the gardens, people stroll through and sometimes bring a lunch, Schlauderaff said.

A wonderful setting for photographs, it's not unusual to see people posing there, and some 15 weddings take place there each year.

Anderson Gardens is funded through private donations. The city of Litchfield partners with local volunteers to maintain it.

"We have a good organization of volunteers," many of whom take care of one or more plots within the garden, Schlauderaff said.

Volunteer Rose Minton said that as she's working in the garden, sometimes people walk up and thank her. "It's appreciated by people."

The steering committee is always looking for volunteers to help maintain the gardens. Call Lori Dahlberg for information at (320) 587-3581.