Tammy’s Garden Oasis in the Suburbs
On the last day of the 2017 Garden Bloggers Fling, we visited the garden of Fling organizer extraordinaire Tammy Schmitt, author of the blog Casa Mariposa.
At the time, Tammy lived in a moderately upscale suburban development, the kind with strict HOA landscaping rules.
Tammy, however, won’t let no HOA keep her down. She created an exuberant garden oasis that is wonderfully conspicuous among the sterile acres of turf.
I like the curly-haired sprite dashing through the greenery.
Tammy is into bird houses in a big way.
The back garden is kind of like a block party where all the plants are having a really good time.
Look at this Royal Catchfly (Silene regia). Why don’t I have any? It makes my heart beat faster.
More bird houses.
Spiderwort – maybe Tradescantia virginiana. While the plants in Tammy’s garden seemed to be having a good time, they didn’t have that fallen-over drunk look. Partly that is because she has invested in some very nice heavy-duty plant supports.
Stokes Aster (Stokesia laevis).
Lushly planted containers and even more bird houses on the back patio.
There was a lot going on in Tammy’s garden, and we didn’t get good pics of all of it – most notably the impressive dry stream bed, which she installed herself.
I’m very glad that Tammy’s garden was included in the Fling itinerary. While old estates and professionally-designed gardens have much to offer, there is a special joy in the modestly-sized DIY gardens of inspired amateurs.
gardeninacity 
Love the idea of the plant supports….I definitely need to invest in some to keep everything looking perkier. Gorgeous suburban garden!!
I have lots, but they’re cheap ones.
It looks like high density housing for the birds. That spiderwort looks rad. They do not do that well here.
Have you ever tried Tradescantia occidentalis? It likes drier soils.
I have not tried it, but it is what others here grow more commonly. They divide it and share it with friends. The ones in nurseries look more like yours, but I do not know what species they are. Although they look fine on the coast and sometimes in redwood forests, they dislike the dry air everywhere else. The prairie spiderwort either looks tired, or it looks very healthy without many flowers. There is not much in between.
A lovely, exuberant garden. I love gardens which are stamped with the owner’s personality. The fling must have consumed a lot of time and energy, I have missed her fun posts this year.
I’ll be back inJan. There have been huge life changes happening over the past several months and blogging had to take a back seat. But I have a lot to tell so I’ll see ya Jan 1!
Her garden is very lively. I am with you when you say smaller amateur gardens are joyful. They have a spirit that is palpable and easy to take pleasure in. I love all they color here. Color, something I foresee more of in my garden.
The more color the better, as far as I’m concerned.
This was truly a fun garden to visit. It was beautiful, lush and full of personality.
You got that right about amateur gardeners, and the same could apply to home cooks, crafters, and all the other ways people make life more beautiful and creative.
Very true!
Lovely garden. The spider wort is such an invasive plant-it was in our garden. Tammy must be controlling it well-good for her!
Some species are more invasive than others. T. virginiana can be very hard to control, but T. ohiensis is not so bad.
Good to know…we had the Virginia.
You could really feel the love in this garden! Tammy is such a beautiful and passionate person and it really was reflected in her garden!
Thanks, Laurin! That makes me feel good!
😊 you are welcome 🌻
Lovely garden, lots of colour and I really like the idea of supports for plants, I must get some for ours. I love the cute birdhouses too, adds more colour and character to a garden. Congratulations to Tammy for actually managing to have a garden and organise a Garden Fling…I think I would be in meltdown!
You and me both! I don’t think I would ever be willing to take the lead on organizing one of those things.
I was wondering how she got the tradescantia to stand so straight, so I’m glad you told us.
I don’t think I could stand someone telling me what I could and couldn’t do / grow in my own yard, so I’m glad she found a way around it.
I’m probably in violation of some codes in my garden, but fortunately enforcement is lax.
If anyone could overcome the confines of a stuffy old HOA, it would be Tammy. Now I bet they all wish for a garden like that.
The people around me are confounded by my garden and it’s so big, it’s considered a real estate liability. It will soon be for sale. Let’s see what happens….
My brother had to sod over his wonderful garden when he sold his house. Same thing happened to us when we moved from Wisconsin back to Chicago.
Thanks, Jason!! I wish I could wave a magic wand and bring you and Judy right back for another visit!
As do I, Tammy, for both you and Jason, though not right now as we’re in winter!
That would be great! We’ll have to come and see your new garden before too long!
Always fun to see a garden which you think you know all from a new angle. She really does have a fun spot there and glad to know she’ll be back in January…. I was getting worried that the fling wore her out!
I’ll be back with a new garden in a new location….
Tammy’s topped my list of favourite gardens during the fling. I knew going in that I would love it but even then, it exceeded my expectations. Very apropos, I would say – a beautiful garden created by a beautiful woman.
Awwww!!! Thanks!
Tammy’s garden is just like her, vibrant, lively and beautiful, also full of fun. Awwww….moving??? I do hope she takes lots of plants with her.xxx