3 glorious gardens

"Nothing is more the child of art than a garden," said Scottish writer Sir Walter Scott. Indeed, with a hefty assist from Mother Nature, every garden possesses a unique, ethereal beauty-and Bergen boasts a wealth of private plots bursting with inspiration. Read on for an inside look at three, plus helpful tips from the Bergenites who tend them.

"Nothing is more the child of art than a garden," said Scottish writer Sir Walter Scott. Indeed, with a hefty assist from Mother Nature, every garden possesses a unique, ethereal beauty-and Bergen boasts a wealth of private plots bursting with inspiration. Read on for an inside look at three, plus helpful tips from the Bergenites who tend them.

Effortless Oasis In Mahwah

"Our garden, which surrounds a pool with waterfalls and a Jacuzzi, serves as an unofficial extension of the national wildlife preserve behind our home," says the homeowner, a Wall Street executive, of the area designed by Cipriano Landscape Design in Ramsey. "When the waterfalls are cascading and the plants are In Bloom, We Find It Creates A Beautiful Environment Where We Can Relax."

Tip: "If you’re too busy to plant and maintain your own garden, hire a professional. For my family, this garden is like a reprieve-we feel like we’re in a wilderness oasis."

Something Wild In Woodcliff Lake

"For me, gardening isn’t work but pleasure, relaxation and meditation," says homeowner Wiebke Hinsch. "Along with my garden’s wide variety of rare trees, shrubs and perennials, one of my great joys is my lawn. It is not just green; it is dotted with blue, yellow, pink and white from small wildflowers-weeds I cherish."

Tip: "Accept new eco-friendly ways to care for your lawn. For instance, I mow once a week and leave the clippings on the ground as fertilizer. In recent years I’ve also tried to grow more native plants as I’ve learned about the dangers of invasive plants overtaking the landscape."

Watery Wonder In River Vale

"I have trellises, a greenhouse conservatory and a vegetable garden, but one of the things I enjoy most is sitting near my three water ponds," says homeowner Audrey Linstrom Maihack. "It’s very peaceful to listen to the sounds of the waterfalls, which run all the time, and watch the fish swim. And I like to see the wildlife the ponds attract-frogs, chipmunks and raccoons."

Tip: "Instead of using a whole bed of color, I prefer to incorporate color in small, bright areas. From daisies in the summer to asters in the fall, I find that colors seem to sparkle more when they’re framed by a lot of greenery.