Small Space Garden

My sister lives in Silicon Valley, because that is where her work is. She would rather be living on a farm, or at least an acre or two in the country! She is an avid gardener, ecouraged I think, by the years she lived in England.

However, the style of the neighborhoods where she lives is big houses with postage stamp sized yards. So that limits the amount of gardening she can do. My sister is a determined girl! She has taken the small space she has and turned it into a beautiful example of le petit jardin.

While I was visiting last week, I took these photos of her fron garden. It is a wonderful, colorful space. She has managed to use her small space very well, don't you think?


This is her front door & steps. (Please ignore the two plants in plastic pots. I bought those to bring home with me.) I can tell you that sitting on those steps with your morning coffee is a real treat!



I took this photo of the garden from the sidewalk.





Here is the rose garden in the parking strip between the driveways. There are a gazillion daffodils and tulips here in spring. The dahlias here have tons of buds, but no blooms yet.





This is the small color garden under the Japanese Maple tree.




The gladiolas (mostly finished blooming) at the other side of the garden.





Finally one of the "dinner plate" dahlias which IS blooming now. This beauty was at least 8" across! Sis said they get as large as 12" later in the season!



My sister is yearning for property. She had retired from her career, which was a stressful one. I am praying that her dream comes true. She & I are secretly planning how we can move her family here, near us, where she can have her gardens! Her husband is a city boy, and not quite ready for it, but WE WILL PREVAIL!

I hope you've enjoyed this small garden tour. It's a preview to a much larger one that's coming soon!

Green thumbs up! Chris

Of Gardeners Great & Small...

First, my apology to James Herriot, who authored the "All Creatures Great & Small" books, for bogarting his title idea. I LOVE his books and if you haven't read them, you've missed a delightful experience!

Although we have had both very nice and very cold (for us) weather here in Northern California, we are now enjoying the warm-up that comes with Spring. With that, come the wildflowers. As I walked to the garage yesterday morning, I glanced across the lawn and the site of the Lupine struck me! Only the Great Gardener could have sown such a wonderous sight! The irrigation ditch that snakes through our property is fairly natural looking, discounting the galvanized crossing pipe, although it is man-made. I could never have done such a beautiful job of lining the banks in purple majesty, nor would I have thought to...

Bush Lupine

Every where I look, there are blooms popping up! These yellow flowers, which I haven't identified yet, are all over the property.

Even walking across the lawn, to the edge where the mower can't reach, yields small discoveries! These little beauties are nestled in the taller fringes.

I am sure wildflowers are a sign that God loves us! With no effort on our part, we are given such beauty to welcome Spring!

As for a gardener of the "small" variety, I planted the Iris pictured below in the bed by my front porch. I have 7 or 8 iris there, but only 3 are blooming, so far. The pink is named for Beverly Sills. I have lost the tags for both the two-toned blue & white one, so I can't provide their names. But they are lovely, even if anonymous!

Chris