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My husband and I moved into our first house last April. After living in an apartment for 8 years, I couldn't wait to have a garden of my own and set roots in the ground. The house that we finally chose had been rented for years. There was absolutely no attention to the landscaping, and precious little attention to the interior or exterior maintenance. There were no perennials whatsoever and just a few half-dead evergreens on the property. Nothing was blooming or would ever bloom without a little help from me. To most homebuyers, that would probably have been deterrent, but I viewed the property as a blank slate where I could use my imagination to plant whatever I wanted. I started with a palette of spring colors and began my challenge. My goal is to create a garden where something is always in bloom.

Around Memorial Day, 2002, I felt an irresistible urge to plant a red, white, and blue garden in the front yard as a tribute to the heroes and those lost or affected by 9/11. Last spring, I had bought a tiny red Japanese maple tree. I cleared the area around it and planted Red Telstar Crimson Dianthus, Red Fire Frost Petunia and an Ultra Red Star Petunia, white impatiens and white petunias, as well as blue cornflowers and Palace Blue Lobelia. I added red daylilies and blue plumaria for additional color later in the summer.

I love gardening and have found comfort in my garden during difficult times such as the aftermath of 9/11. For me, gardening is a peaceful and relaxing hobby, as well as a great way to relieve stress.