When Mill Creek residents, George Toth and Maria Perry, bought their Evergreen neighborhood home in 2018, they had no idea their backyard would one day become a stop on the Mill Creek Garden Tour. Permanently settling here in 2020 to be closer to their daughter and her family, they quickly fell in love with the sense of community that Mill Creek is known for.

For Maria, one word captures the essence of their garden: joy. “Joy in watching things grow. Joy in learning as I went. Joy in being out there surrounded by colors and scents that make me happy,” she reflects. Maria admits she initially hesitated when asked to be part of the Garden Tour. “I remember asking myself, ‘Does my garden even qualify? Is mine good enough?’,” she recalls with a smile. But with encouragement from daughter Megan and fellow gardener Debby Cox, she said yes. And in the process, doubt gave way to delight.

Walking through their yard, visitors are greeted by a series of thoughtful vignettes and cozy seating areas. Maria affectionately calls it their “secret garden,” a place designed for gathering with family and friends. “It’s like our own private retreat, but one we love sharing with others,” she says. For Maria, the most meaningful part of the tour wasn’t just showing her garden — it was experiencing the community it created. Neighbors, families, and fellow gardeners strolled through, some stopping to learn, others simply pausing to smile. “Everyone took something away, and that brought me so much joy,” she says.

One of her favorite memories is having her daughter, Megan, by her side throughout the journey. From planning and shopping to planting and digging, Megan has been deeply involved. “If I’m honest, she did most of the heavy lifting while I was often inside playing with my grandsons,” Maria laughs. “But that’s joyful, too!”

Their garden has truly become an extension of their home — or, as Maria puts it, “My favorite room of the house.” It’s where she’s learned patience, celebrated individuality, and embraced the idea that gardens don’t need to look like anyone else’s to be beautiful. “Plant what makes you happy,” Maria encourages. “Your garden should reflect who you are.”

With just five years of gardening under her belt, Maria knows she’s still learning, but she’s grateful for the journey and the community that surrounds her. As she recently told the Garden Club during her heartfelt speech: “Thank you for letting me share my garden, and thank you for being part of this joyful journey with me.”