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.
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!
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.
And what a clever way to display tiny air plants.
He definitely knows how to maximize his use of space,
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!
