![pink phlox flowers](https://images.finegardening.com/app/uploads/2021/09/15141932/2-7-700x525.jpeg)
Today we’re in the Catskill Mountains of New York State, visiting Susan Simperfender’s garden.
I’m a self-taught gardener who has benefited from advice from locals, friends, and our local nursery—and Fine Gardening! It’s been about 15 years of cultivating all you see here. I got especially passionate about 2010 when things were quite hard and my garden was my haven for healing.
My husband built the stone border for me—60 feet by 5 feet of garden. I chose the location by looking out my kitchen window while doing dishes, imagining what I’d like to see. I started with many silly plants that didn’t make it because I knew nothing.
The late phlox (Phlox paniculata, Zones 4–8) you see here was my first success. Anyone can grow phlox—especially in the Catskills. It’ll make you feel like you can do this!
![yellow flowers next to light green flowers](https://images.finegardening.com/app/uploads/2021/09/15141934/3-5.jpeg)
![garden full of yellow flowers](https://images.finegardening.com/app/uploads/2021/09/15141938/4-6-scaled.jpeg)
![purple and white irises](https://images.finegardening.com/app/uploads/2021/09/15141941/5-6.jpeg)
![Joe Pye weed](https://images.finegardening.com/app/uploads/2021/09/15141943/6-5.jpeg)
![dark purple columbine flowers](https://images.finegardening.com/app/uploads/2021/09/15141945/7-6.jpeg)
![Mountain cornflower](https://images.finegardening.com/app/uploads/2021/09/15141948/8-6.jpeg)
![tree-lined street on a foggy day](https://images.finegardening.com/app/uploads/2021/09/15141949/9-6.jpeg)
Have a garden you’d like to share?
Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit!
To submit, send 5-10 photos to gpod@taunton.com along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden.
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Comments
What a very pretty garden - this is exactly the style I love, so natural, textural and colorful. And that foggy morning photo really is magical!
Such a gorgeous garden!
I just had to save your photo of Mountain cornflower (Centaurea montana to my Pinterest page to look at again.
The beautiful fog photo of the road is so nice to see also!
Your stone border planting bed is a great kitchen view!
You sure can grow healthy plants!
I'm still moving stuff around as you never know how something will grow til you try it. Every year is a new adventure. I'm learning about shade, as trees are so much bigger...Looks like you have the bug...it all looks great. I'd love to borrow your husband, just for the stone border...lol
Beautiful garden but I especially appreciate your sense of humor about your adventures with the garden.
Lovely! Live and learn with a zone 5 garden! Hello from Dolores, Colorado!
Thank you for sharing your beautiful yard Susan. I love your choice of plants, colors and heights. Keep up the good work.
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This is one of the most beautiful garden i saw. Thank you for sharing.
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