"[2] Helena Rutherfurd was born on September 28, 1858,[3] one of five children from the marriage of Charlotte Livingston (1825–1894) and John Rutherfurd (1810–1871), a coal and railroad industry executive, and president of the Board of Proprietors for East New Jersey and the New Jersey Historical Society.

[7] Her books promoted an informal and sensual style, which moved away from the Victorian practice of ''bedding out'' showy annuals in formal gardens.

[1] Ely and her husband owned a 350-acre country estate named Meadowburn Farm in Vernon Township, New Jersey.

The Rutherfurd family owned large tracts throughout Sussex County and was descended from early colonial proprietors.

[citation needed] Ely spent half of each year on the farm, experimenting with filling plots with the perennial plants.