The Garden of M. Patricia

The first garden on our property was started shortly after we bought our home 35 years ago … a bungalow built in 1930 on a very small patch of land. As time went on, we acquired the wooded lots adjacent to our home, we now have more than 2 acres in total and garden on more than an acre. After we cleared the land of brambles and weeds, the garden was "carved out" among the existing trees, many of which were black walnuts. It took years to realize that the many planting failures we experienced could be attributed to these beautiful, majestic black walnut trees, juglone creating a toxic environment for so many of the plants. The garden consists of several large "rooms" … the garden off the deck is the earliest, then the garden behind the studio, the garden on the way to the shed (formerly called the "bull pen," holding planting failures ... hoping to nurse back to health), the pool garden, and finally, the side garden … the garden with the best view from our home. The garden beds are curved and not planted in the commonly suggested large groups or drifts of odd numbered plants. There is more layering and repeat planting around the gardens to carry the eye from place to place. Throughout the property the planting style is a mix of shrubs and perennials with lots of clipped boxwood shrubs and hedges to present a somewhat tidy appearance to a garden that has been described as "organized chaos."

This garden's estimated size is 1½ acres.

Open Days 2024:  Saturday, July 20
Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.