PHOTOS: Sayville Garden Club Announces 2023 Beautification Awards

SAYVILLE, NY — Each year, the Sayville Garden Club recognizes several gardens that enhance the visual attractions of Sayville.

For 2023, the results are in.

Earlier this month, the club acknowledged three homeowners' and one business' gardens.

Recipients are awarded a Sayville Garden Club sign in the shape of a yellow tulip, which owners often place in front of their homes. Read on to learn more about them, and their garden's descriptions, courtesy of the Sayville Garden Club.

Tara and Jonathan Belmonte

The Sayville Garden Club writes:

"Tara and Jonathan Belmonte’s gardens on Candee Avenue in Sayville received one of Sayville Garden Club’s three homeowner Beautification Awards for 2023.

It would be impossible to miss the striking white hydrangeas featured along the front of their property. The Belmontes have sculpted these hydrangea bushes over several seasons to achieve the beauty and perfect shape that makes them so eye-popping today.

Lee Miller

The second award was given to Lee Miller’s Sayville Boulevard landscape.

A remarkable array of unusual and interesting evergreens fills much of the front lawn. In the backyard, flowers and evergreens complement each other within sunny and shady garden spaces. Lee designs her gardens to provide interest throughout the year.

The visitor’s eye is immediately drawn to the garden around the pool, with a lovely waterfall. Balloon flower, black-eyed Susan, pink double knock out rose, coneflower and crêpe myrtle were just a few of the flowers in full bloom on the day of the award.

Lee can most often be seen sitting in a shady spot nearby, enjoying a view of the entire backyard as she sips a cool drink.

Joey Iannotto

The beautiful front yard of Joey Iannotto’s home on Tariff St. in Sayville catches your eye, with varied hydrangeas, including the beautiful Bobo panicle variety.

They are just a preview to the spectacular backyard, where his love for gardening and talented eye for design are evident. Flowers in large planters each contain tiered shades of purple and lavender. Complimentary blooms in pink, white and yellow adorn neighboring spots in the backyard. Iannotto works in his garden almost every day, often adding new elements or creating entire new beds.

Some favorites at his home are smoke bush, Eastern red bud, full moon maple and Rozanne geraniums. A lovely covered patio is where he looks out over his “happy place.”

Butera’s

The Garden Club’s 2023 Business Award was given to Butera’s Sayville restaurant.

John Leach, one of the owners, can be seen next to a pretty garden of colorful perennials and annuals which welcomes guests arriving at the back door. Sharing the honors was Laura’s Helping Hands of West Sayville. Each year, Laura designs the gardens and fills the planters with beautiful flowers such as princess and cana lilies, aubrieta, cat mint, and assorted petunias. The community appreciates the beauty that Butera’s provides.