Serenity Cove

About

Annie and Carl saw a newspaper listing entitled, “Own Your Own Island” and envisioned that someday they would call this partially cleared land surrounded by water their new home. Inspired by ornamental grasses seen at the environmental center up the road, their first landscaping project was adding well over a hundred tall grasses of different varieties, which provide the perfect complement to the bucolic one lane “roadway” that is known as Demarest Avenue. These tall grasses created the ideal movement and drama to their blank canvas. Once you drive past the grasses, you will cross over the bridge and upon entering the property you will be greeted by a huge southern magnolia that is their pride and joy, exhibiting magnificent white flowers with the most intoxicating fragrance. Maggie, as she is lovingly called, has gracefully withstood the harsh New Jersey winters. As you pass under the arbor you will enter the woodland garden, and as you stroll down the winding path, you will encounter enchanting lenten roses, hardy camellias, towering viburnum, airy astilbe and classic white hydrangea. Note how nicely the variegated Liriope outlines the garden beds. A few large, weathered stone slab steps lead you down to the water’s edge, where a serene tableau unfolds. Here, the tranquil pond, adorned with ethereal white and pink water lilies and striking purple irises, create a peaceful and captivating vista. Continuing along the paths will lead you to secluded areas where wildlife abounds and will aford you the greatest opportunity to commune with Mother Nature. Pause for a moment and you might catch a glimpse of deer, a blue heron, an egret, frogs, geese, hawks, kingfishers, mallards, minks, opossums, foxes, and turtles. Over the past twenty-four years Annie and Carl have taken on project after project to create the aesthetic they were seeking, which has culminated in this idyllic haven they affectionately named “Serenity Cove.” As stewards of this property, they hope to share the serene experience they’ve cultivated, inviting others to find solace and inspiration in this tranquil haven.

This garden’s estimated size is 3 acres.

2025 Open Day: Saturday, September 13th

Hours: 10-4