Cupid's Garden—Audrey Linstrom Maihack

Due to a severe storm in 2011, the center of my garden changed from a patio shaded by tall trees to a sun garden full of color. A surrounding border of conifers, pines, and shrubs form a private semi-shaded garden. Short paths lead from decks to ponds, patio, and greenhouse. Varied gardens are adorned with rocks, shells, ground covers, rose trellises, early perennials, potted tropicals, and bonsai plants. Spring has many azaleas, bulbs, wisteria, dogwoods, weeping cherry, and Scotch broom. Later, flowering shrubs, iris, peonies, dianthus, and roses make way for foxgloves and assorted perennials, as well as water plants, daylilies, hostas, ferns, and herbs. Fall color starts the retreat to the potting shed and cedar greenhouse, my winter garden. Outside, under the watchful eye of Cupid, hawks and doves, as well as many other birds, frogs, rabbits, chipmunks, “Woody” the woodchuck, raccoons, and Mr. Skunk all visit the fish in the ponds.

Directions: From Garden State Parkway North, take Exit 172, last exit in New Jersey. Turn right onto Grand Avenue east. Pass Kinderkamack Road (railroad tracks) and go over hill to “T” (about 3 miles). Turn right onto South Middletown Road, which becomes River Vale Road, for 0.5 mile to right on Thurnau Drive (first right after Forcellati Nursery). First right is Edward Street. Ours is first house on right. Please park on street.

From Palisades Parkway, take Exit 6W. Travel west on Orangeburg Road to fourth traffic light and turn left onto Blue Hill Road at end of reservoir. Go 1.4 miles to a stop sign. Turn left onto River Vale Road and proceed as directed above.

Open Days 2018: June 23
Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Admission to this garden is $7 for members and nonmembers without tickets purchased in advance.

Buy discounted admission tickets in advance! They can be used at most Open Days to make garden visiting easier.
Nonmembers get 6 visits for the price of 5 with advanced ticket book purchase.  
Members get 50% off ONLY by purchasing ticket books in advance.