Aesthetically pleasing, beauty takes on a deeper meaning when shared with others. In the natural world, there are few things recognized as more beautiful than plants, including trees and flowers.

Manheim Township resident Dennis Denenberg has a deep appreciation for the magnificent and complex 1-acre garden that surrounds his home at 410 Valley Road, Lancaster. But that appreciation blooms into pure enjoyment when visitors see it, smell it and experience it.

In fact, Denenberg has made his garden, affectionately referred to as The Gardens of Oz, available as a nonprofit venue for charitably minded organizations to host fundraisers, meetings and events free of charge. In return for the use of the garden, Denenberg does accept donations to Diana's Dreamers, a charity he founded at Millerville University to honor his late sister Diana Denenberg-Durand, who succumbed to breast cancer in 2007.

Denenberg said that the garden has already been reserved for four events this season but that he'd like to see it used four times more.

Guided by a pair of certified horticulturists, known as the "Garden Godesses," the tour takes about an hour to complete.

"My joy comes from seeing people enjoy the gardens," said Denenberg. "I like to hear people laugh and ask questions. There is nothing as spectacular as nature. Even our grandest man-made monuments don't come close. It's fun to share it."

Plural, The Gardens of Oz is actually an arrangement of more than two dozen separate but intertwining gardens. Mixing both common and exotic plants, the garden features a bamboo grove, fish ponds, a garden dedicated to the Emerald City and Yellow Brick Road, as well as a pink garden honoring the memory of his sister.

The Gardens of Oz is home to more than 500 species of thriving vegetation, each with its own unique life cycle and color pattern.

"Every garden has a different vibe," said Denenberg. "This is a 'Wow.' Here, you're in the garden. You're not just observing it. You're at the whim of nature. Gardeners appreciate the layout, but every person wants to see colors."

"Each season affects the garden drastically," continued Denenberg. "My favorite time is spring. It's spectacular. Once the first blooms come, from then on, there are colors everywhere. Then with the interaction of animals, the bees and the birds, it's magical."

It's also natural beauty 28 years in the making.

When he purchased the property, Denenberg decided after an initial mowing of the lawn that he wanted his yard to be a garden. Now, a blade of grass cannot be found anywhere.

It took Denenberg eight years to fill in the acre lot with plants and flowers, a process he continues to tweak today. Denenberg has been offering tours of the garden for about 15 years now.

"It's morphed in that the garden now is much more mature," said Denenberg. "Life is about giving back. It doesn't matter how rich or poor you are; give back to others. Even a smile can make someone's day."

For additional information about The Gardens of Oz, email Denenberg at drdenden@aol.com or call 717-682-0206.