A Private Retreat

The traditional front yard of this Crestview Drive home gave no clue to the peaceful retreat we would discover in the backyard. As we turned the corner to the side yard we came across this beautiful waterfall and rock garden outside of their screen enclosure. Then the potting shed in the backyard caught our eye.

Both of us swooned over this adorable green potting shed. What gardener doesn't dream about having a potting shed? And, a cute one at that.

We spent a lot of time looking in and around this quaint potting shed, not wanting to miss 

any detail of it.

We spoke of how this dainty red Mandevilla vine was the exact right choice to climb up the shed, and how the window boxes added an extra cute detail. 

Finally, we tore ourselves away from the potting shed to take in the rest of the yard. Their backyard is mostly shady and backs up to a neighbor's yard which has a wide swath of plants, as well, giving both homes plenty of privacy. 

We discovered some very pretty rose bushes heading toward the sunnier side of the yard.

The grass has been eliminated on this portion of the back and side yards. More rose bushes can be found in this sunnier location, as well as a collection of succulents and Crown of Thorns. All showcased in pretty pottery and a birdbath. 

Here's a close-up view of the beautiful yellow rose pictured above. 

Next to the screened pool cage is a small and peaceful Zen garden with an Asian flare.

This clever homeowner transformed an old tree stump into a unique planter. This is going to be a great combination when both plants reach their maximum size.

Before leaving we glanced back over the backyard and enjoyed the peace and tranquility that this backyard space provides. 

We were drawn back over to enjoy the shade of the large Camphor tree, relax a bit and chat with the garden club attendant. It's a wonderful and peaceful escape for the homeowners to relax and enjoy the fruits of their labor.

Spring Fling in the Garden

This is the second time this garden has been included on the Lakes & Hills Garden Club tour, and there's a good reason for it - it's a feast for the eyes with all of its colorful annuals and whimsical, repurposed decor. It was originally on the tour in the fall of 2013 (you can view that post here) and was decorated for autumn. This time (2018) it's spring time and once again the gardeners did not disappoint with their colorful spring decor.

One thing I especially like about this garden is that the only grass is a circle in the front yard. This gardener is NOT wasting space on boring turf that needs constant water and chemicals. Instead they've chosen to create a Florida-Friendly yard.

Here's a view from the home looking out to the road. That's all the turf grass there is. Another wise choice these gardeners made is to utilize the planting area beneath the large Live oak by planting a variety of bromeliads with a few ferns sprinkled in. The bromeliads spread quickly, love the shade and require virtually no water to survive, as they are air plants. They're a great choice for this area and they require very little care.

As you approach their front door, the garden takes on a cottage feel. Tucked in next to the front door is a very private patio where the homeowners can sit and enjoy a cup of coffee or a meal while they watch all of the bird activity in their Live Oak.

Now let's head around to the side of the house where there is a welcoming entrance into their 

little piece of paradise.

There's plenty of shady places to sit and relax.

In this side garden that runs alongside a very long driveway, they've created a visually appealing garden in, mostly, pots.

On the far side of the driveway they've managed to create privacy with a variety of green foliage plants and small trees, which also provide a very nice background for their potted plants.

Here's a continuing view of the garden alongside the driveway. They've got a nice mix of pottery and old items, along with more seating areas.

Their pottery is filled with a nice mix of spring blooming plants. They've added boxwood as a frame and backdrop for their collection of pots, and I think it works quite well together.

As we turn our heads to the other side of the pathway we discover a very colorful mix of plants adorning the patio attached to their home. 

Just the right touches everywhere you look.

A lion fountain on the wall is softened with a tall shrub.

And, as we continue walking past the patio area toward the back of the house we see another colorful and eclectic mix of plants, pottery and fun garden items...all in that cottage style.

One final look back at this side and it's pretty enough to be in a garden magazine!!

Here's the expanded view looking back towards the patio.

This eclectic, cottage-style garden is always very pretty and interesting...no matter what the season.

The Vignette Gardener

The 14th annual Lakes & Hills Garden Club garden tour took place in March of 2018. The first garden we toured was in the Sylvan Shores area and was very eclectic in style. The garden club's brochure states that there are 2500 plant varieties throughout the garden. That's a lot of plant varieties in an average size lot.

 The shady front yard was filled with a large number of bromeliad varieties, along with gigantic staghorn ferns dangling from the majestic live oaks. The varying hues of the sun-kissed bromeliads created a warmth of color splashed among the vibrant green turf.

One corner of the immaculately maintained grounds gave only a slight - slight, I remind you - hint of what we'd find behind the fence.

As we entered the backyard we realized it was going to be a very different experience from the calm perfection we experienced in the front yard.

Oftentimes, the front and back yards can be very different in nature. The front yard being neat, more presentable and agreeable to the neighbors, while the backyard, truly, displays the gardener's personality.

We noticed our invitation to "get lost in the garden," and that's exactly what we did!

There was so much to take in that, at first, I didn't know where to start. So, I decided to follow the path that lay ahead . . . knowing that I might need to walk through this garden several times to be able to see it all.

 His backyard is a relatively small area, but he's made it feel larger with many pathways that meet and then meander off to a different area. 

As you will notice, he is a master at creating vignettes. Self-created signs fill the garden, along with many repurposed items from garage sales or flea markets. He finds a use for everything.

There's no doubt that he can see a plant holder in just about anything, including these concrete shoes.

As well as an old light fixture. His imagination knows no limit.

Old steps, a clothing rack, dilapidated fence posts, metal washtubs - any type of discarded item will find a use in this garden.

The gardener has a great collection of cactus & succulents,

and displays them in very creative ways.

 More cactus, agave and drought resistant plants.

And what a clever way to display tiny air plants.

He definitely knows how to maximize his use of space,

 even gardening vertically on the fence that surrounds his property.

We enjoyed strolling around in his backyard enjoying the many varieties of plants, the clever repurposed items and the orchestrated displays of, well, everything - plants, containers, and vignettes!

An English Cottage Garden

The first garden we visited on The Lakes & Hills 2016 Garden Tour was a quaint English-style cottage garden. At first glance, everything was so cute and inviting about this garden.

Including this adorable little girl and pair of birds surrounded by the Whirling Butterfly bush.

This was a unique find - miniature periwinkles. I have lived in Florida my entire life, and I have never seen 'miniature' periwinkles. 

The gardener, whom we spoke to, was a very pleasant lady who willingly answered our questions  about this display of hanging baskets. What a unique idea!

Here's a close up view of the wire baskets that she purchased at a local big box store.

So, come with us as we enter the English-style garden and have a look around. 

It's divided into multiple garden beds encircled with boxwood hedges and walkways.

A lot of loving attention goes into maintaining these little hedges.

As with any English garden - statuary abounds.

Both flowers and colorful foliage intermingle.

Here's a view from the backside of the formal garden.

And, a close-up view as you enter the garden from the rear.

 There are pretty vignettes everywhere you look. 

Whimsical ones, too!

Places to sit and enjoy the garden from are scattered throughout it.

 These two photos (top and bottom) are a great idea. She took 2 metal baskets, connected them together, placed soil between a fiber liner and planted a variety of plants and succulents. Then hung them from a tree branch.

 An adorable white iron table and chairs was in the center of the garden beneath a large Live Oak tree. 

Another pretty birdbath adorned with birds and a statue of a little girl in the garden.

Pretty vignettes are scattered throughout the garden.

Pretty ceramic pots filled with orchids grabbed our eye.

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One last look as we, reluctantly, leave and move on to the next garden.