Summary
Discover how Rockaway helped Woods resident Laura Massey transform her property into two tranquil secret gardens through thoughtful landscaping, invasive removal, and ongoing maintenance — creating a woodland sanctuary that inspires her art and enriches her forever home.
For longtime Woods community resident Laura Massey, home is more than a place to live — it’s a retreat, an artistic muse, and now, thanks to Rockaway, a beautifully maintained landscape she calls her sanctuary.
Laura’s property is tucked among mature oaks and natural forest, a setting that sparked her creativity during the pandemic. What began as small clearings in dense kudzu and bamboo slowly evolved into two enchanting “secret gardens,” each shaped, refined, and cared for with Rockaway’s help.
Building a Sanctuary One Garden at a Time
Laura first connected with Rockaway while relocating a cherished arbor swing to make room for her future she-shed — a space she is designing as an art studio for her watercolor portraits, close-up florals, and butterfly studies. As she carved out new spaces on her property, Rockaway stepped in to support her vision with mulching, cleanups, pruning, maintenance, and ongoing landscape care.
“These secret gardens started as little projects during the pandemic,” Laura explained. “Rockaway came in and really helped me develop them. They maintain everything — I don’t have to lift a finger.”
Her first secret garden, originally intended to be a pet memorial space, began when she started cutting back invasive bamboo and kudzu on her own. Seeing the potential, Rockaway cleared the area, mulched the beds, and set up a maintenance plan to keep invasives under control so her preferred plants could thrive. The garden has since become a place Laura shares with her granddaughter, who enjoys taking “nature walks” along the paths.
A New Garden Inspired by Paris
Just recently, Rockaway created a second secret garden — this one inspired by Laura’s travels.
While visiting Paris, she fell in love with the graceful willow trees lining the Seine River. Rockaway brought that vision to life by clearing fallen trees, preparing the soil, and planting a beautiful willow tree as the garden’s focal point. With the invasive growth now removed, native plants from the surrounding woods have begun to return naturally.
Preparing a Future She-Shed Studio
Laura’s evolving landscape flows toward the site of her future she-shed, which will serve as a dedicated art studio. Pavers will soon extend into the garden, providing a tranquil outdoor painting area surrounded by the plants and wildlife that inspire her work.
Her property is alive with movement, from swaying bamboo fronds to fluttering birds — supported by the 15 feeders she maintains near a thriving oak tree that has doubled in size since she moved in 18 years ago. Rockaway has helped protect the tree’s sprawling roots by installing mundo grass and jasmine groundcovers, which provide a soft, natural carpet and reduce trip hazards.
A Partnership Rooted in Trust
For Laura, gardening has always been a source of joy and creative inspiration. After experiencing several lawn services that fell short of her needs, she found a long-term partner in Rockaway. “Rockaway does everything for me — lawn care, irrigation, fertilization, landscaping. I’m very happy with them. They’re the best,” she said.
A Forever Home, Made More Beautiful
Eighteen years after moving in, Laura sees Rockaway as an essential part of maintaining the home she loves. Her evolving gardens, flourishing plants, and new willow sanctuary have become personal havens — places where nature, art, and happiness intertwine.
Through thoughtful design, careful maintenance, and an understanding of Laura’s vision, Rockaway continues to help her shape the peaceful woodland retreat she always dreamed of.