A lingering winter may feed a profusion of flowers on Helman Street
By Ruth Sloan
While all the rain and snow we’ve enjoyed this winter brings hope of a fabulous spring and along with it fabulous gardens, it does mean that the season of renewal is running a little late this year. Last year at this time, the garden at 344 Helman St. — home to Suzan and Marshall Malden — was blooming gloriously and lush with plants ready to burst forth. It’s obviously poised to do that again, but perhaps a little later than usual. This is the Ashland Garden Club’s Garden of the Month for April 2023.
When the Maldens purchased the property in 2001 the cottage was smaller, and both front and back yards were little more than lawns with a few trees, including a wonderful mulberry. After completing a beautiful sunny addition to the house in 2006, Suzan set about establishing lovely gardens with help and advice from family friend Dave Mizerak. The bones of that design remain much the same, but Suzan has fun adding and subtracting plants as conditions change over the years or as enthusiasm strikes her.
Lilacs and grapevines at the perimeter contribute to a feeling of privacy in back. A delightful water fountain is visible from most spots around the yard as well as from rooms at the back of the house.
Among Suzan’s favorite plants are peonies, rhododendrons, daphne, and azaleas. Fig trees in back not only produce delicious fruit but are gorgeous sculptural plants. The Japanese maple in front is stunning all year.
A tall flag pole in back features an ever-changing display of flags, some to honor countries where the Maldens have lived (such as Sweden and Norway), some to honor countries of origin for visitors, and some to honor events.
Suzan does almost all of the gardening herself, averaging a half-hour to an hour a day in the busiest seasons. He gets occasional help from Nathanael Brees on the biggest projects. She sees the garden as her sanctuary and gardening brings her great joy.
As she says, “Life is beautiful in the garden.”
The Ashland Garden Club has been naming Gardens of the Month, from April through September, since 2000. Nominations are gratefully received at aogardenclub@gmail.com. Check out the club’s website at ashlandorgardenclub.org for information at meeting times and places.
