NEWPORT NEWS, Virginia ― It’s fall foliage time in the tiny town of Sugarland.

As the weather turns cool and crisp, life chugs on ― the dairy farm supplies milk to the sugar refinery so the bakery and candy shop can provide lots of sweets for Candy Cane Village residents. The town, served by the Southern R&R railroad, is also home to the Donut Police Station, Red Hot Fire Department, Ginger Snap Park and Rollo Golf Course. Kids attend the M&M Elementary and Sugar High School; Graham Cracker Farm is home to cows, pigs and chickens.

As Christmas approaches, residents look out for a visit from the Polar Express.

Welcome to Patricia Moss’ backyard, host to Sugarland and the many mini residents who dwell in her railroad garden.

“I love gardening and my husband, Charlie, and I like model railroads, so I’ve combined the two,” says Patricia, who lives in Yorktown, Virginia.

“All buildings have candy or sugary-like names, and most reside on Lemon Drop Lane.”

Patricia’s railroad garden ― 200 feet of G-scale track winding through a 40-by-12-foot space ― started in 1997, when she first laid the track on concrete blocks. When voles and moles kept disrupting soil under the blocks, Charlie rebuilt the track on treated lumber supported with plastic PVC pipe.

More than 50 colorful cookie jars in the shapes of houses and businesses make up most of Sugarland’s buildings. Patricia finds them in antique and thrift stores, and many are gifts from friends and family.

“I never knew that cookie jars came in so many wonderful shapes and colors,” says David Taylor, a member of the Hampton Roads Horticultural Society which recently visited the railroad garden.

“Charlie and Patsy have created a jewel right in their backyard.”

While trains and buildings form Sugarland’s energy, plants give the town Mother Nature’s special ambience. Trees such as pines, sweet gums and crape myrtles are pruned to stay small; nandina is a natural because its tall, stalk-like presence naturally looks like a clump of close-growing trees. Creeping Jenny and moss are used for green spaces.

“I covered concrete block with outdoor carpet to see the cookie jars on and a beautiful moss started growing there ― perfect for my lawn in front of the houses,” says Patricia.

“Any plants with small leaves such as nandina, Mexican heather, sedum, dusty miller and pencil trees are used to make a realistic look of a miniature town.

By Kathy Van Mullekom

(Daily Press)

(MCT Information Services)