Wendy’s Wanderings
Dreaming of Gardens
August 6, 2025
“If I’m going to make this dream happen, I better get started.”
These words from Master Gardener Volunteer Judee Mundy have been echoing in my mind ever since I heard them. Judee, who began her MGV journey in Columbia County, once held a dream while living in Pennsylvania — to create a botanical garden. A space that would teach, inspire and spark a sense of wonder.
When she moved to Florida, the dream didn’t fade, but — as it does for many of us — life got busy. Eventually, a moment of clarity came: “I’m not getting any younger, and plants need time to grow.” That was the spark. If she was going to make her dream a reality, the time to act was now.
She found 17 beautiful acres in Suwannee County — a mix of pasture, wetland and natural ponds — and knew immediately she had found the home for her garden. In 2018, Hearthstone Gardens began to take root in Wellborn, Florida.
A Dream in Bloom
Seven years later, I arrived early one summer morning to beat the heat and tour Hearthstone Gardens. I expected to be the first one there, but I was greeted instead by the sight of four volunteers already hard at work planting and tending to the flower beds. Judee met me with a warm smile and ushered me onto a golf cart for the grand tour.
As we drove through the property, it was clear that Judee had put her Master Gardener Volunteer training to excellent use. The gardens were thriving, and the “right plant, right place” principle was on full display. The entire space was not only beautiful, but also environmentally thoughtful, showcasing the North Florida plant palette with an emphasis on native species.
The garden is divided into themed areas: a butterfly garden, rose garden, begonia and shade garden, a peaceful Japanese garden, and my personal favorite, the children’s garden. Designed with discovery in mind, the children’s garden features a whimsical story walk called Walasi-Yi, or The Land of the Giant Frog, which winds around a small pond. It’s utterly charming and invites both young and old to engage with nature in a magical way.
A stroll through Hearthstone Gardens is more than just a walk — it’s a sensory experience. The trails meander through inspiring plant collections and into a large natural area that offers a kind of forest bathing. It soothes the mind, lifts the spirit, and deepens your connection to the land.
A Garden that Gives Back
Hearthstone Gardens is not just beautiful, it’s accessible and welcoming. There are restrooms, propagation greenhouses and a covered pavilion used for community events and weddings. The trails are made of packed limestone, and boardwalks span the wetter areas, making the garden friendly for strollers and those with mobility challenges. Leashed dogs are welcome, and best of all, it’s free and open daily.
Check out the Hearthstone Gardens website to learn about upcoming plant sales, festivals and volunteer opportunities.
Bring a friend, a neighbor or a van full of Master Gardener Volunteers and experience what one woman’s vision, nurtured by the hands and hearts of friends, family and community, has grown into.
And maybe, just maybe, it will stir something in you too. If you’ve been holding onto a dream garden in your heart, perhaps now is the time to start planting the seeds of your own story.
