MERRIMACK – Residents may be familiar with “Bill’s Garden,” a local garden bursting with perennials, annuals, crops, succulents and other hidden treasures that make the garden look like it is straight out of a fairytale.

Though many consider it “Bill’s Garden,” Merrimack resident Bill Hines insists it is his wife, Andria, who is the powerhouse. They’ve grown this garden into what it now is for more than 30 years.

“My wife’s passion for gardening and talent makes the property come to life,” Bill said.

The couple moved to Merrimack in spring 1988 after spending a few years in Nashua. They got married in 1979 after dating for four years.

Bill said when they arrived in Merrimack, there were no trees or shrubs, while the grass on the property was horrible.

“It took over 30 years to get here and it requires that amount of time to maintain it. A lot of people think ‘Jeeze, why do you want to do all that work?’ We don’t consider it work. We love doing it,” Bill said.

The garden represents the culmination of years of hard work, which has kept it thriving.

Within the garden, one will come across many different types of perennials, annuals, produce such as kale, beets, spaghetti squash, Swiss chard, tomatoes and carrots, along with succulents. There are even birds nests and houses, along with other trinkets.

Andria also tastefully hangs branches and what Bill describes as “nitty props” throughout the garden, giving it a special touch.

“She’s wonderful at just knowing where something should go,” Bill said of Andria.

Each spring, Andria brings out these props, such as a tin iguana or a painted sun.

Throughout the spring and into summer, she takes care of all of the pots that are filled with flowers each and every day.

The couple spends two to four hours out in the garden each day and even operate a small greenhouse. Bill said they enjoy maintaining their garden together.

“I’m lucky to have her,” he added of Andria.

Aside from being artistic in the garden, Bill said Andria’s artistry shines through in other areas of her life, such as working as a hairdresser and with cooking.

“She’s a wonderful cook – she cooks every day,” Bill said. “She starts fooling around the kitchen in the afternoon. She doesn’t follow any recipe. She learned that from her mother, who was originally from Naples, Italy.”

The secret to a long-lasting marriage?

Well as Bill joked, “We work on separate sides of the garden.”