Photo credit: Barbara Holdridge

Barbara Holdridge, owner of the historic Stemmer House in Baltimore County and a past winner of The Baltimore Sun garden contest, talks about her "vision" of her 28-acre property.

"I began gardening at this site in 1973, when there were only some big oaks and tulip trees and such. Otherwise, there were acres of fields, which challenged me to work my will on them.

"I always tell people to start planting the big stuff -trees, bushes and other long-lived ornamentals- as soon as they arrive. Years later, they will thank themselves for the major, majestic landscape they have created.

"I love water in gardens, too, in ponds, pools and fountains. I don't fill all open spaces, though; the eye needs them. So water and vistas are essential to me.

"The garden grows in increments, as I stand in a spot and 'visualize.' That's what I call it when I am in my glassy-eyed mode: 'No, there's nothing wrong, I'm just visualizing.' And then the visualizing becomes reality, and I have taken over one more part of the acreage, like Attila the Hun rampaging through wherever, but leaving long spaces between, for those eye-pleasing vistas."

We'd love to see your garden. Send pictures and write us a few words about why you like to garden or what your garden means to you, to gardenvariety@baltsun.com