Wednesday, January 6, 2010

AN ARTIST'S GARDEN

This is a home from a June garden walk. I try to snap photos of elements that are unusual or interesting. With the exception of the Khlem gardens (which I will show in a future post), all garden walk yards are designed maintained by the homeowners.

A tiny bungalow with only a retaining wall and porch in front. The backyard was postage stamp size, about 20 x 30. Not really much in the way of plantings but a pleasant area with some ideas for creating outdoor living space.

Creeping Jenny trails over the retaining wall. A few flower accents and some metal artwork adds and interesting element to the wall. Shrubs are all pruned up to better show the plants beneath.



A brightly colored deck attached to the house holds some art, stuffed flamingos and an assortment of chairs and tables.




A mustard colored fence and bright stepping blocks accent the tiny lawn and a few plants.




Trellises frame the seating area and a painting hangs on the fence. Planters dot the patio and odds and ends are are positioned in any available space.





This is the garage door.




One wall of the garage is a startling blue with metal artwork accents. The stock tank is painted a bright copper and the hydrangeas are artificial.




More artwork hangs on the house’s rear wall. The woman in the white hat is the owner/artist.




A dead tree brightly painted to give it a few more years of usefulness.




A hanging swing becomes a planter.




The driveway, colorful sidewalk and boxed trees.


37 comments:

Susie said...

Hey Marnie,

What a neat and colorful place! Who would have ever thought of painting a dead tree?!?!

I think I could get use to living in a place that has a garden like that.

Like your new header picture.

Anonymous said...

I like her ideas. She has it under control. And dead trees are a great thing to have but I leave my unpainted so the insects can have a feast any time they want.

sweetbay said...

The gardener certainly made the best use of the available space! It's so charming.

Lisa at Greenbow said...

What a delightful tour on this cold drab winter's day. I love all the color in her garden. The bushes in the planters along the fence almost look like bonsai the way she has limbed-up the branches.

I love the photo of the Catbird singing on your sidebar. He looks ready for business. I can't wait to hear them again.

Monica the Garden Faerie said...

I like the porch/gazebo and the huge copper planter!

tina said...

She made an outstanding outdoor living area for sure. I love the whimsy. I've seen others paint dead trees and really do like the idea. So neat!

Kathleen said...

Your garden tours sure are interesting Marnie. I was disappointed in the one I went on last year. I like to see how people incorporate structures, furniture, water, etc., and there wasn't much evidence of any of those things. Hopefully this years tour will be better. You always seem to have photos of great gardens tho ~ this garden is really clever and artistic. Lots of interesting things to catch your eye.

CONEFLOWER said...

Thanks for sharing this, Marnie. What a delight. Color is abundant everywhere. What is the owners own art like?

Meems said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Meems said...

It is always SO interesting to see how gardens can be done in so many thousands of ways. It is clear this one is decorated by an artist. How I love the way an artist can make use of just about anything in new ways. Typically I'm not too keen on too much whimsy in a garden but this one was a real delight. Thanks for sharing your summer tour on this winter day.
Meems @ Hoe and Shovel

BeadedTail said...

What great ideas! My mind is racing now for how to incorporate some of those things into our yard! Fabulous! I love your new header too!

Darla said...

Very nicely done...except I don't care about the mustard wall, lol..

troutbirder said...

I love your garden tours Marnie and this one is definitely interesting. Am keeping a notebook now of ideas to go with the simple and naturalistic look.

Chloe m said...

I would have to say I love this flamoyant garden. Nice pictures, Marnie! They did a great job with their garden.
Rosey

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Wow---that is creativity to the ultimate degree!!! I can tell by looking at the lady (in the white hat) that she is a very talented woman... WOW--what gardens!!!!! Unbelievable!!!

Thanks for sharing this... (Does she truly not have help with the weeding, etc.??? She looks like a creative person who would have and want help doing some of the upkeep...????)

Hugs,
Betsy

Gayle said...

Sounds like a delightful soul and interesting garden!

Rose said...

Fantastic! This shows that you don't need a huge space to garden. I have the space, but I sure wish I had her creative talents. I don't think I'd be brave enough, though, to paint a dead tree those colors:)

kate smudges said...

What a beautiful place ~ filled with all sorts of interesting things to capture one's attention. I love the use of colour.

Flowers said...

Nice blog. I am fascinated by your garden. Enjoyed the garden tour. Wish If I could have the same garden at home.

Balisha said...

Are you looking out your window, Marnie? Is it snowing at your house? Thanks for taking my mind off my winter visions for a few minutes. The tour was fun...

Mr. McGregor's Daughter said...

I love all that color. I've been thinking about color a lot lately, and this garden is such an inspiration. I need to get bolder.

Cheryl said...

Hi Marnie....it is fascinating to see other gardens.....especially one that is so different from our own.
I love the chair planter....very imaginative.

I must say I prefer dead trees just left so that the wildlife can take insects from it....but that's just me, we are all different and that is what makes life so interesting......

Thank you for brightening a cold winters day......

Skeeter said...

Thanks! On this chily day, you have given me some great ideas for Spring! Oh where is spring???

Dawn said...

Wow! That's beautiful! I love the little bistro setting but any part of it is welcomed in my yard!

Anonymous said...

Thanks so much for warming me up on this snowy, cold day! And what a unique and colorful garden they created. I love when people make gardens fit their own style so they don't end up as cookie-cutter styles. This snowstorm outside my window is lovely to look at, but I sure am tired of snow! And it's so darned frigid. Saturday's high, only 20 with a low of 2! Spring, where are you?

joey said...

A perfect colorful post for this snowy white day ... just what I needed to warm my innards!

Anonymous said...

Hi Marnie~~ I love this. What a creative, whimsical garden and gardener. The chair cum planter is a delightful way to use that corner. Actually I think each photo requires an uninterrupted span of time to really enjoy. Great post. Thank you.

Gail said...

People are so very clever! I do love the orange fence and the painted tree...(I've recently painted a cut down cercis a deep purple and 'planted' it in the Susan's bed!) This tour must have been a lot of fun. gail ps Hoping all is well with you!

Sherri said...

Makes me really long for spring and summer. I miss my flowers!

oldcrow61 said...

Great ideas there. A very interesting garden.

Carol said...

Reminds me of Monet and his relationship to his garden and house. Though not so opulent and lush, it shows the creative spirit of its owner. Playful palette, path and patio materials, containers and archways. So many amazing details one could not mistake an artist was about. Fun post Marnie! Hope you are staying warm! ;) Carol

missbreezysbox said...

I love it! Especially the mustard fence and seating area. Thank you for sharing such a beautiful yard.

Darla said...

Do you still want some ornamental pepper seeds? If so please email me with seeds in the subject line so I'll open it....rusdarathotmaildotcom

Kerri said...

I'm amazed at how well the artist has incorporated so many colors and made it all look charming, rather than hodge podge for the most part.
It's lovely to see such bright color in your photos when all we have to look at outside is snow. Thanks for sharing :)

Judy said...

That woman is making the most of every inch of her outdoor space! I love it!!

Cordwood Cabin said...

How pretty! I love the touches of whimsy here and there in the gardenscape!

garden girl said...

What a cool garden! I love the creativity. This garden really shows off how much can be done in a small space. Thanks for sharing it Marnie.