These are the Gardens in Your Neighborhood (Veronica’s Garden)
Judy and I have done a lot of traveling to visit gardens in other states and even other countries. But it is worth remembering that there are unique and remarkable gardens literally right around the corner. One such surrounds a small, single-story brick bungalow on a busy street about three blocks from our house.
I have driven past this garden hundreds of times, and it always tempted me to take a closer look. However, until about a week ago I never did because I didn’t know who lived there.
That changed, however, when the gardener in question was walking her dog past our house as Judy and I were heading out to work. Veronica, as her name turned out to be, told us that she had admired our garden for some time. She also sheepishly admitted that she had picked one of the currants off our Clove Currant bush (Ribes odoratum) in order to see if she could grow one from seed. I told her that I had no intention of calling the authorities.
Further discussion revealed that the garden admiration was mutual. Veronica gave permission for me to drop by her place with a camera, which I did a few days later. (Judy was tied up so I look these pictures.)
One of the first things I noticed about Veronica’s garden is that we share a love of big, colorful flowers. She has attention-grabbing blooms every season of the year. At the end of July, it was big, luscious, fragrant lilies.
This one seemed to be a favorite of hers.
And here’s one with an unusual color, I think.
While I have cut back the amount of lawn in our garden, Veronica has done away with it completely. Her front garden consists of a central bed with a dry fountain, filled with stones instead of water. Daylilies, Amsonia and ferns fill this bed.
There is a narrow border along all four sides of the front garden, with a concrete bench at each corner. Pavers fill in the area between the beds.
In the back garden there are two tables instead of the central bed, otherwise the design is the same.
Found objects make for some interesting outdoor furniture and garden art.
I like this Coreopsis with the concrete cactus.
Here is a shepherdess with attitude.
Another aspect of Veronica’s garden that I could relate to was the mix of exotics and native wildflowers. For instance, there were both Common (Asclepias syriaca) and Swamp Milkweed (A. incarnata), and sure enough, Monarch butterflies were making themselves at home. Purple Coneflowers (Echinacea purpurea) are also plentiful.
Veronica’s beds are a mix of perennials, annuals, evergreens, and small deciduous trees. She is also one of those people who likes to paint the trunks of her trees, which is something I don’t really understand – but to each his or her own.
I should say here that Veronica is a hands-on gardener, no one helps her with design, planting, or maintenance. It is entirely a DIY effort.
Now that I’ve seen Veronica’s garden, I am determined to get a closer look at some of the other unique and beautiful gardens in our area. Stay tuned.
gardeninacity 
Jason, you showed a lovely garden. I liked lilies along the path and decorative pots. I’m not a fan of concrete things in a garden, but I liked a shepherdess!
The lilies are a real showstopper!
It’s always nice to find like-minded gardeners, especially close by. I love peeking at neighbours’ gardens when I walk our dog. I love the way that your neighbour has planted at the kerbside for all to share.
Same here, and I don’t even have the excuse of a dog to walk.
It’s always fun to meet another gardener! The lilies are amazing and she has given them pride of place; they must be a special favorite.
I definitely think they are.
It is such a pleasure to see colorful and creative front gardens. Thank you for showing us your neighbor’s.
Here in central Kentucky we have mostly expanses of green grass punctuated by ever fewer street trees, a few foundation shrubs and some Knock-out roses. Depressing.
I am beginning to understand this American phenomenon from reading Michael Pollan’s 1992 book, “Two Gardens” where his maternal grandfather, a real estate developer and avid gardener in New York, subscribed to the convention of “a visual commons”. Some seventy years later, it seems a convention that is hard to break.
So for those of you who work to add color and interest to our neighborhoods and put a smile on our faces — thank you!!
Her garden really does stand out when you pass by on the street, which is why I had to see it up close!
Love that you’ve connected and have things in common. I especially love her garden since like mine, she has not a blade of grass to fuss about. The annuals and perennials do their thing, as do many of her other objects of art. Very nice.
I didn’t get a chance to ask her what inspired her to make her garden more like a paved courtyard without the grass. Next time I talk to her I will try to find out.
I think your neighborhood could have their own garden tour, charge admission and donate to a garden charity of your choice. đŸ™‚ Lovely garden.
I would like to do that. And it would have to be only for real gardeners who get their hands in the dirt.
Great garden. I love the way you feel enveloped by plants. I am wondering if she paints live trees? I would think it is detrimental to their health. A lot of people paint dead trees. I think it is sort of fun because you can be crazy with color and it will soon go away and things change.
I had never even heard of a staghorn fern so I had to look it up. Beautiful plant, and you have a very impressive specimen.
The tree painting is a thing I have noticed here and there. The trees are not always dead.
What a charming garden–so lush and full of interesting color and texture.
That was my reaction also.
Jason: It’s so nice to finally tour a garden one has seen many times. And what an interesting garden this is.
I certainly thought so, it was a fun visit.
Gardening neighbors are the best! Glad you guys bumped into each other.
(now go untie Judy!)
Dang! Forgot about Judy – hope she’s ok!
The wonderful thing about gardens in your own neighborhood is that you are bound to run into the gardener if you regularly take walks. Conversation, and even bonding, are almost inevitable. Carry on!
Just so, it is a wonderful thing.
Veronica sure knows how to grow lush lilies. So interesting to see other people’s treasures.
Yes, it’s like discovering a new little country.
I’m guessing that you and Veronica will become fast friends!
I’ve never heard of people painting tree trunks. I wonder why they do.
I really have no idea, but I’ve seen it in a number of gardens, public and private.
Those lilies are magnificent. It’s always wonderful to have a fellow gardening addict living nearby….now you can swap plants and cuttings!
Exactly, I’m looking forward to that!
Veronica has a nice garden with a bit of whimsy too. It was nice she opened her garden for your visit. It is funny you mention gardens “around the corner.” Here in our area there are nearly 1000 gardens one can go see. Funny thing this year, I only visited those across the border. Missed every open garden in our area except for the Lewiston gardens that I was a part. Garden overload and too dry a season to spur my interest.
There are interesting gardens to be found here but most are very conventional. You have to seek out the ones worth seeing.
This is a lovely garden with a deeply personal touch. When I saw the “Shepherdess with an attitude,” I immediately thought that she must be a reflexion of Veronica herself. When I saw the blue painted trunks, I was sure of it!
Definitely a garden with a lot of originality and creativity!
This is a very good idea. A few years ago, I asked several people if they’d be willing to have me tour and post about their gardens. I never got around to it, but so many friends and family members have lovely gardens. Thanks for the tour!
You’re welcome. I’m thinking I will try to make a regular series of posts about the interesting gardens of regular folks in this area.
I enjoyed hearing about the theft of the berry! How wonderful that you finally got to tour her garden, and what a lovely garden it is. I did like the planting and garden art, the seating areas are lovely too.xxx
She seemed really sheepish about the berry, I had to reassure her that I didn’t mind.
wow! I need a neighbor like Veronica on my street. I feel like a “odd ball” out here on my street some days:-) You are sure lucky to have her in your neighborhood. I mix natives and exotics too đŸ™‚ I love all her quirky twists in her garden-I bet it was fun!
Veronica’s garden is unusual in our area – most of the gardens are pretty conventional.
conventional is boring-LOL
Thanks for the idea….and the motivation to report on our neighbors gardens.
You’re welcome!
Veronica has a lovely garden! By the way, thanks to your post I did some research and learned that the lovely Ribes odoratum is no longer banned in my state (although 14 other states do still ban it) — so in my next garden I plan to finally have one. đŸ™‚
I also learned that a number of other plants and shrubs have been newly added to the Banned list in my state though, including Berberis atropurpurea which is so widely sold everywhere.
I’m surprised that R. odoratum is banned anywhere in the US. It’s native from Montana to Texas and east to NY.
It’s an alternate host for white pine blister rust which can decimate pine populations.
Ah, I guess I did here something like that. Pines are pretty uncommon around here.
Isn’t it great to have found out at last who the garden belongs to and to make a new gardening friend? I particularly like the foliage combination along the path. Did the Ribes germinate?
You know, she didn’t say. I’ll have to ask next time I see her.
Lovely to meet a gardening neighbour. And one that has done away with lawn- brilliant. What amazing lilies, I am envious of people who can grow lilies without them being ruined by lily beetle. A lot of people are giving up round here.
Honestly, I can’t help but feel that it is only a matter of time before the lily beetles start to wreak havoc around here, so I am reluctant to plant more lilies.
It is great to get a proper look at a neighbours garden, no doubt this will give you lots of ideas. The concrete cactus made me smile. Great lilies!
I think she found a lot of the concrete objects at building demolition sites.
Looks great, I love it!
Not being a fan of concrete I still really really want my own clamshell seat. Even with all the awesome lilies and other blooms… and the interesting placement of the pavers (I like the pattern of gaps for moss), it’s the clamshell I keep coming back to đŸ™‚
I would like a clamshell seat also, though a lot bigger!
Hi Jason, that’s a delightful “hidden” garden. Around us there are many front gardens that hint at hidden beautiful gardens out of sight at the back. I’m hoping ours will be like that too. Some of these gardens may even be open as part of the UK’s “NGS” (National Gardens Scheme), which will be the pinnacle of my gardening achievements, but it’s several years away yet.
I have no doubt that your garden will become part of the NGS.
Oh I wish I had gardens in my neighborhood to tour but alas there is no one here who gardens just landscapes and has a few containers…although a few are trying and I give them plants and lots of encouragement. I adore this garden and all the concrete adornments….looking forward to more tours.
I think you have to seek out these unusual gardens. I’m really glad I made an effort in this case.