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Although this could very well be a picture of me finding a new treasure at a favorite nursery, it's actually an illustration by David Catrow for a children's book called Plantzilla.

Thursday, May 31, 2018

A Spectacular and Mysterious Garden

More than 20 years ago, I admired this garden from the outside and it's gardener, who was working outside, invited me to view the garden inside the gate.  She said that she wished she hadn't planted ornamental cherry trees in the front as they're so prone to disease.  As I recall, those trees were sizeable. 

They were obviously been replaced by maples quite a while ago. I'm seldom in this neighborhood and always forget the exact cross streets so coming upon this garden is always a surprise to me. 

What lies behind the well manicured shrubbery is a magical treat of a garden that can be enjoyed from the sidewalk.


One simply cannot walk briskly down this part of the sidewalk as there are surprises tucked away in every corner of the garden.  Everything is exquisitely well manicured, coiffed, fluffed, and trimmed and yet the garden is exuberant and welcoming.





Some years ago, this gardener won a prize for her garden design from Thompson & Morgan Seeds. 


Feeling especially bold, I knocked on the door but no one answered.  What a treat it would be to once again see the inside garden and all the changes that must have taken place in the last 20 years or so.

An imaginative and talented colorist came up with this great mostly-evergreen combination with coleus and tuberous begonia jewels.



In a sunny corner, near the intersection of the sidewalks on this corner lot stands this perfect pairing of Yucca rostrata  and pot. 

Even the gravel is special. 



Another view of the sunny corner. 

Here's the other street side of the garden.


This garden must bring great joy to both the gardener and passersby.  What a great space.  Perhaps one day I'll get a peek at the inside garden again. 

Can you believe that this is the last day of May already? 


25 comments:

  1. Holy cow! That is an amazing garden. So many beautiful combinations and so perfectly maintained right out to the street. It must be such a joy to live nearby and be able to enjoy a gorgeous garden without having to do any of the work.

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  2. Wow, it's perfect! Does it look like that every day I wonder? I hope you noted the location this time so you can make a (pleasant) pest of your self and get a complete tour, soon!

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  3. This is amazing. I am always impressed with such neat edges and this garden even has neat edges along the public sidewalk. What treasures it must hold in the private part of the garden.

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  4. And if you get a peek at the inside garden, you'll let us peek too, right? ;)

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  5. I'm with Linda; Holy cow! What a stunning and pleasurable sidewalk experience.
    I wonder if it's still the same owner from 20 years ago, but other way it's quite safe to assume they enjoy gardening...

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  6. Someone is putting a lot of love and care into that garden! Thanks for sharing your photos. I wanted to put some glass beads into my gravel, but right now no one would be able to see it for the weeds. Like danger, I hope you make a pest of yourself and get a good look at the inside soon.

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  7. Oh My Goodness! I love this garden. Not only is it perfectly groomed, but it's so colorful and interesting too.

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  8. That is incredible. Go back and knock on that door again! The gardener's artistic sensibilities and their ability to make such perfect and clean lines combine to make a unique and truly beautiful space.

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  9. What a centerfold of a garden - picture perfect. Are those Impatiens on the overhanging tree limb?

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    1. Those are the limbs of a very old pink Hawthorn tree in bloom.

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  10. How pretty that garden is ! Maybe they read your blog and they will comment here and invite you over ...one can dream.

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  11. Really lovely, Peter! A real treasure in your wider neighborhood.

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  12. Oh my goodness, yes that's public garden level quality. It looks like many people work on it regularly to keep it that way, but if it's just one or two people--wow! I agree, it's perfectly maintained but still warm and welcoming!

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  13. Oh, to have a garden that well-manicured! It's truly lovely and I hope you can reconnect with the owner/gardener again one day.

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  14. Wow some beautifuls shots there. Do you know what those golden trees is second to last photo? Lovely bed and a photo without any parked cars!

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    1. They're Robinia pseudoacacia Frisia (Golden Robinia or Golden Locust)

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  15. WOWEE! What a treat! Can you imagine living in that wonderful beauty?!?!

    Thanks for sharing ~ FlowerLady

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  16. That is an amazing garden, so neat and tidy, puts mine to shame! Hope you get to visit again when the owner is at home.

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  17. What a beautiful, stunning garden. Thank you for sharing !

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  18. A very special garden, though a little too neat for my taste. How wonderful that it has been kept up for so many years.

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  19. Talk about perfectly-cared for! Even though my garden tastes have developed and changed from my college days, this one rocks. The potted Yucca...just the right punctuation, even if I now cringe at how overused Y. rostrata is all over.

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  20. Peter, it's been nearly a year since you posted about this garden and I'm obsessed with it just as much. Any chance you could give us an update and get invited to the main garden so we can all see magic behind the curtain? Thanks!

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Thanks so much for taking the time to comment! I love to hear your thoughts.