
We bought our Maplewood house about 17 years ago and found that the yard had been neglected and overgrown with weeds, brush and other things that I dare not mention here. The property was cleared, graded and new garden beds filled with fresh soil.
Then the fun began!
cleome, flocks, autumn sedum, purple liriope, red roses and crepe myrtle
I grew up around gardens in Rhode Island. My mother, Violette, inspired and nurtured my love of planting seeds and watching them grow. She had a large vegetable garden with a few splashes of marigolds and my siblings and I were always around to help out. I was given a small space in her garden to grow whatever I wanted. I chose to plant flowers!
verbena, petunias, super bells and dracaena
coleus, sweet potato vine and dracaena
First I planted some larger shrubs and an American holly tree to add some interest and bones to the garden. Then I added lots of perennials, annuals for color and some herbs for fragrance. I also planted violets and marigolds!
Pink hardy hibiscus, grows to 12 feet tall!
Lavender passion flower
‘trailing lavander’ and ‘citrus’
Moonflower blossoming in the early evening
Double tropical hibiscus
The best thing I did was to join the Maplewood Garden Club !
I met many new friends and learned so much more about gardening in NJ.
Marigolds, caladium, agastache, azaleas
My COVID Socially Distant Retreat
My garden is ever changing. A shade garden has become a sun garden. Plants have come and gone. I renew the garden every year by adding new plants purchased at the annual Maplewood Garden Club Plant Sale.
This pandemic year I decided to add a birdbath with a solar fountain to my patio. I also added many potted plants along with two umbrella tables spaced six feet apart. It quickly became my favorite place to have breakfast, lunch and dinner, but most of all it was an ideal venue for safely visiting with family and friends.
purple and green oxalis planters
marigolds, gompherena and lavender
Assorted potted house and annual plants along with my new Bird Bath
My garden is my refuge. It gives me time to be quiet and to listen.
It is calming and peaceful.
Ash & Maple trees, Rhododendron & American holly
Cleomes, marigolds, red canna & crepe myrtle

I hope you enjoyed this virtual walk through my garden as much as I enjoy it on a summer’s evening. – JudyC
All photographs were taken by Joy Yagid (www.joyyagid.com).
