I have made a new friend this spring through an old friend, and it is a great pleasure to see how many things we have in common. One thing we do not have in common, however, is a green thumb. Last week, she invited me and our common friend to see her yard which is 1 1/2 acres in the front of the house and another 1 1/2 behind—all gardens!
The day we went to visit was rainy on and off, so we timed our walks between the showers. Many of the spring blossoms are gone but there are such lovely color and textures I thought you would enjoy it. They bought the property 10 years ago and lived on it while building their house. Although the garden has developed over the whole 10 years, the plan for it was conceived at the outset and filled in piece by piece. They have done all the work themselves. Most of the plants have come from cuttings of friends’ plants, or scavenged trees that were going to be dug up. Even the California Redwoods were saved from gardeners pulling the errant starts out of flower beds (while they were on a California trip.) Their garden is a Rescue Shelter for homeless plants—but all very coordinated and planned.
View from the dining table
They dammed up a little creek running through the property and created a koi pond, complete with waterfall.
Variegated-leaf Queen Anne’s Lace
Pink Peace rose 
A gulch with another creek runs through the back of the property
Her garden comes complete with baby ducks
and chicks and hens
She paints with plants, mixing colors and textures on a real-life canvas!
