I decided to take some photos from the perspective of a neighbor walking down the sidewalk in front of the house. Hey, this garden is beginning to look pretty durn good. Still got a ways to go before it matches my dream image and I have told Randy that this could be a very expensive plant buying year cause I'm tired of it not getting filled in. So now I have at times thought to myself....I have more plants than I have room for.....but I stop myself from thinking that too much because there are always new plants that just have to come home with me. Like today at the grocery store I bought two Euonymus alatus 'Compacta' (Dwarf Burning Bush) for the south end of the front garden. Front yard in 2009 when the first fence panels were in place Here it is April 2012 This is that first corner ( photo / image / picture from toni's Garden ) ( photo / image / picture from toni's Garden ) Looking from sidewalk to front of house ( photo / image / picture from toni's Garden ) ( photo / image / picture from toni's Garden ) Looking to the south ( photo / image / picture from toni's Garden ) See the footwear path? ( photo / image / picture from toni's Garden ) The Yucca will not be staying there, going to h*** strip soon ( photo / image / picture from toni's Garden ) ( photo / image / picture from toni's Garden ) ( photo / image / picture from toni's Garden ) Looking to the north ( photo / image / picture from toni's Garden ) Newest area to be planted, just a few feet left to the headboard border ( photo / image / picture from toni's Garden ) North of the driveway.... North Bed in the beginning April 2008 ( photo / image / picture from toni's Garden ) North bed April 2012 ( photo / image / picture from toni's Garden ) And since this is only growth through early April, I hope it will be way more filled in by time summer hits.
Toni,I love what you've done in your garden. Wow,your cannas are going to be pretty. I like lots of added stuff in a garden. A feast for the eyes. Doris
toni, I love it especially the footpath. Very adorable. I love the color of the picket fence. Barb in Pa.
You know I'm a sucker for before & afters! To start with... I love your plate border! Think I need to re-steal your idea (but probably plastic plates since I get a little carried away with the weeder eater!) And now to the afters... WOW!!! Look at all the things you have growing and going on! I bet everyone who walks past your home stops and look and look.... and look some more! And that footwear path. I like! And all of the cute/unique containers you have! I know it's not really a part of the garden.... but I love that old truck from 2008 (an International?) Super duper job on your garden transformation. You are an inspiration! Out of curiosity... have you had any plants or items go missing from your yard?
I was wondering the same thing Cherylad! There is so much to look at Toni that I think I could spend the whole day in your garden
Toni, awesome! As I scrolled through the photo I kept thinking..she had all grass before, WOW! Great transformation despite Texas droughts and all. You done good! I'm sure those perennials will really fill in this year.
From lawn to a very interesting and healthy looking garden. Passersby must stop and stare in wonder at everything there is to see. :-D
So many different plants, so many interesting features, I just love touring gardens. Fantastic tour. Jerry
Thanks all for the great comments about my garden. When I look at it as the gardener it looks sparse and in need of a lot of help, but looking at it as a passerby I could see the good things instead and all your comments have bolstered the good feelings about what I have done. THANKS!! Doris, those Cannas are red, orange/yellow mix, and a dark red. I planted them in the back yard years ago and never even thought about remembering the cultivar name. And yes they do look great in bloom, they grow to 4-5 feet tall and make a great 'fence' blissfull...the old Dodge truck is nicknamed mean green. It has changed hands from father to son to father (between hubby and his dad) over the years. For now it is back out in the country with his dad. Barb, I have seeds starting to plant in the footwear soon I hope. It took me a long time to decide on a color for the fence glad you like the color. Cheryl, I did the plate bordered bed again this spring and this time the seedlings are coming up. Most of our neighbors couldn't care less about gardens, but I did watch one elderly lady stop and deadhead one of the Coneflower last fall to get some seeds. Very few of our older neighbors speak English so I didn't say anything to her, didn't want to scare her. Haven't lost any plants or decor thankfully. That's a 1970 Dodge and a BEAR to drive. Netty, when I get the backyard back to it's previous beauty there will be two gardens for you to come spend hours in anytime. Jewell, during the driest part of the last three years I would water a section at night then the next morning it was fairly easy to get the weeds out of. And then there the months when nothing gets done followed by weeks of catching up when the weather cools down. It has been a challenge alright. Eileen, I have noticed some women drive by and slow down to look but for the most part it isn't even noticed by very many people Jerry, I wish it had looked decent when you and Joyce were here last fall I would have loved showing it off. Deepwoods, thanks for liking my garden. There are also lots of birds out there who like it and that means a lot to me too. Snow1, I have to keep reminding myself that this is only April so plants will probably look better in a couple of months.
Love your gardens. Can tell you put a lot of love and hard work in to them. A true gardener at heart.