Gene's Garden

It was three years ago today that I published the first post of this (sort of) gardening blog. So a little over a week ago when His Madness and I were visiting our friends, Gene and Laura I thought it was about time to photograph the garden that first inspired me to fill up my own backyard with plants!

There are many homes with lovely landscaping but Gene has managed to take it way beyond just enhancing architecture or creating curb appeal. He has created a lavish show on a huge scope.

Pouring over photos of English cottage gardens has always been one of my favorite ways to spend an afternoon. I never really gave any serious thought to creating one of my own because most of the plants in those gardens wouldn't be able to survive a Wisconsin winter. Then one day I noticed Gene's backyard had evolved into something out of a fairy tale! Even though his plants are completely different from the ones across the pond, the effect is the same. It all seems pretty obvious now. Duh!

It's easy to see that Gene has a deft hand at putting plants together and keeping them looking beautiful. (A blue sky would have made for better photos but there is something to be said for the soft lighting produced by clouds. As long as it doesn't start to rain in the middle of taking pictures!)

The bird population seemed to be very happy with the beautiful place they get to call home.

The half a dozen birdhouses (or more, I lost count) were teeming with new life.

There isn't the usual abundance of blooms because we were visiting at one of those in-between times when the spring perennials have ended and the summer ones are just beginning to flower. It will soon be a riot of purple, yellow and blue with a little orange thrown in for contrast. We'll be back.

I always forget to mention how great flowers smell!

The Mock Orange filled the whole backyard with it's wonderful sweet fragrance. 

The rain decided it couldn't hold off any longer as we were about to settle down at the table, so we settled for a great view of it from the garden room while we enjoyed a delicious brunch.

 Out on the front porch a shabby chic trellis looks perfect with the lace curtains in the living room.

Gene's has grown a huge patch of milkweed for the butterflies. The windmill belonged to Laura's parents and their initials are stenciled on the fan. I've always thought that was just the sweetest thing. They had a huge garden also and I got a lot of good advice from them over the years.

Here's Gene relaxing in the garden room after brunch. 

It's also where he paints. Doesn't this fairy look like she belongs in his garden?

An acquaintance commissioned him to paint this copy of a poster but to leave off the text.

It looks so much better than the original poster, I think he should keep it. 

One more flower, a Spiderwort. A pretty plant with a silly name, I couldn't leave it out!

Thanks to Gene and Laura for letting me photograph their beautiful garden.

I hope you enjoyed it and thank you for stopping by.