Linda Boley’s garden in Boulder, Colorado, is a treat for birds, people, and pollinators.
Whether it’s design, installation, or maintenance, this is a DIY garden, grown out of the essentially blank slate that existed when Linda moved here in 1977. Though a retired graphic designer, Linda has degrees in botany and zoology and is a volunteer naturalist. Her garden sustains local wildlife in multiple ways.
Instead of a lawn, the front of the house is a sunny rock garden, covered with a patchwork of Sedums, Ice Plant, Sempervivums, Hardy Geranium, and finely textured grasses.
These are punctuated by taller perennials like Irises and Golden Columbine (Aquilegia chrysantha).
Around back on the patio you’ll find a flotilla of clay pots planted with grasses and succulents.
The back garden is notable for its array of quirky bird houses.
A closer look – aren’t they great? And how about that bamboo fence?
A portion of the back garden is pleasantly shady, and there is a modest amount of lawn here.
The back garden has several nesting structures for native bees. And I love the leafy pattern that looks like it was stenciled onto the fence.
This garden meets all the essential wildlife needs: food, water, shelter, and cover.
More birdhouses, with Ninebark and what looks like Clematis ‘Nelly Moser’ to one side.
A closer look at ‘Nelly’ and the Ninebark (which could be a good name for a band of musical gardeners). There are several varieties of Clematis in the back and they all seem very happy.
There’s Coral Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) blooming on the other side of this little birdhouse village.
In a sunny corner of the back garden you’ll find 2 raised beds with drip irrigation for vegetables.
If I were a bird, I would definitely want to take up residence in one of Linda Boley’s birdhouses. As a person, I’m just glad I got to visit.
gardeninacity 
What marvellous fencing in this lovely garden!
I’m seriously thinking about that bamboo fencing next time we have to replace our fence.
Definitely the touch of an artist here — what an amazing place!
Lots of creativity.
I am glad you took us along with you on your visit. If I was a bird or a bee I would be happy to live there. I really like the way she did her fences.
The fences are great, definitely.
“Nelly and the Nine Bark” made me laugh. Let me know when they start touring. I’ll be there.
I must say, this is my favorite of the gardens you’ve shown us. The amount of thought behind the design is obvious; nothing seems “too much,” or out of place.
Should it be Nelly and the Ninebark or Nelly and the Nine Barks? Although 10 people is kind of large for a rock band. Although there wouldn’t really have to be nine barks, there could be maybe four, and that would be a sort of inside joke.
Ninebark s sounds like a bunch of dogs. I vote for Ninebarks.
I agree, those little bird houses and hotels look so cosy I would move in too if I were a bird! Nice to see a quirky but nature-friendly garden. The stencils on the fence are ingenious… you think you are looking at a green boundary. Thanks for sharing!
Those stencils are really nice, I wish I could remember if we were told how they came to be there.
What a wonderful garden! I love it all.
So did I.
My kind of garden! It’s stunning, as are the photos!
On behalf of Judy, I thank you.
Fantastic! I admit it. I have garden envy.
I had a lot of that on this trip.
I’m glad you got to visit too, so I could sit here and drool at all of her amazing ideas. Winter food for thought for sure. 🙂
Judy and I were just talking about getting some of that bamboo for our fence.
I look forward to reading each post in gardeninacity and I am grateful for the virtual garden visits when winter comes to Chicago. Thank you!
You’re welcome, and thanks for commenting. I especially like to hear from fellow Chicagoans.
This is fantastic!
Thanks!
I really enjoyed the tour of this Colorado garden … and it is full of good ideas. I absolutely love the bird house village! 👏👌
So did I. I want one.
It’s very colorful and I like it.
Yep.
I really like her front rock garden. Love the “metal Mahonia” on the trellis behind the pots, and the leafy stencils are great too.
I love the stencils, I didn’t even notice the metal mahonia.
Oh my… funny how our eyes see different things. I zoomed in on that one right away!
AWESOME!
Agreed.
Wonderful use of garden artefacts
Definitely.
clever use of garden furniture
What a beautiful garden !!!
It certainly is.
Beautiful garden, loved the fencing and the birdhouses.xxx
So did I! I wonder how much those houses were actually used by the birds.
Those iris are variegated Iris pallida! The unvariegated form is my all time favorite iris. I got mine from the garden of my great grandmother.
Thanks for the ID!
I was referring to those with the variegated foliage of course. I know most people are familiar with them. I am just pleased to see them in other gardens.
Thank you for sharing this! Wonderful views of this backyard… I especially love all the unique bird houses!
The bird houses were really great. Thanks for commenting.