Show #15/2002. 1800's Garden

Create Intimate Spaces

This garden is the epitome of a romantic garden. How did Gen get started? They started excavating, getting tons of rubble out of what was a snake pit. It was literally a snake pit. Now, in the early spring they plant Tulipia Tulips which makes a formal early spring presentation. This year they planted 7,000 yellow and white tulips, then underplanted them with Viola wittrockiana and Pansies, yellow, white and blue. When they pull up the tulips, when they're spent, they have a carpet of pansies to carry over to late spring and early summer. Now it's in bloom and a romantic garden, it's lush with Petunia hybrida Petunia, that seem everywhere. The Pansies are still hanging on. They also have Iris 'Louisiana Iris' blooming in here. They plant everything to make it lush and romantic looking. But then it becomes a more "cottagey" type garden for the summer. But Gen always keeps it low key, with blue, yellow and white flowers, although sometimes a little pink comes in. But she uses low key colors. And it works beautifully.

If you're thinking about creating a bit more romance in your garden make sure to develop some intimate spaces that are small. You should not be able to see the entire garden from any one spot. Also, make sure that all of the plants overlap and intertwine. And use muted tones, blues and purples work very well.