You know your favorite aunt whose face lights up when you come to visit...her entire demeanor exudes joy and welcoming? That's what it was like to visit the garden of Jean Morgan, near Denver, Colo., during this year's Garden Bloggers Fling, earlier this month. (If you guessed Colorado, based on my last post: 3 points; Denver area: 5 points; Garden Bloggers Fling: 10 points!)
Jean was so genuinely happy to see us and share her garden--and warm and welcoming--that this particular visit was a highlight, for me, of the entire Fling! The house and property is a historic landmark in what previously was known as "Little Bulgaria" in the town of Louisville, Colo.
Jean has lovingly cared for this garden for several decades--designing and placing all the plants herself. Hens and Chicks (Sempervivum spp.), herbs, and other drought-tolerant plants cover the entire small property, creating a lovely xeric, low-maintenance garden.
Patches of Love in a Mist (Nigella damascena) create a dreamy frame for the succulents.
Part of the joy of Jean's garden is that it's real. By this, I mean that Jean authentically created the displays herself. The garden is full of whimsical touches, like this bathtub/metal objects creation, Barney Bazooka DeChomp III.
A pump faucet washtub full of herbs and its neighbor pot with a face.
This lady statuette who is "happily dying of chocolate," surrounded by real candy bar wrappers and Chocolate Daisies (Berlandiera lyrata). (I think most of us can relate.)
Jean has a delightful pond with a waterfall, decorated with metal friends: a heron, a turtle, a cat, a crab, lobsters, and others.
Her fabulous crevice/rock garden is chock full of xeric plants, and is home to a family of quail figurines.
Other Fling attendees had similar impressions while visiting Jean's garden; and most of us had a grand time at the entire Fling this year. Watch for more coverage in the months ahead, by visiting this link. Next year, the Fling will be in Madison, Wis., and I'm on the planning committee!
Perfect description/opening lines! I SO loved this garden. xoxo
ReplyDeleteWasn't Jean wonderful, Gail? And her garden, too!
DeleteThis looks like it would be a lot of fun to see. I love the hippo. My kind of garden too.
ReplyDeleteYes, you would have loved it, Lisa. I hope you can make it to next year's Fling!
DeleteI certainly hope to.
DeleteFun! I loved this garden. I love the creativity. I spy the hippo too. What a fun imagination.
ReplyDeleteMadison Wisconsin!! I am heading over to the link to check this out.
:-)
Yes, it was a great garden, she was a wonderful host, and the Fling was fabulous! I hope you can come to next year's Fling. Bring a blogging friend!
DeleteEveryone who's commented on this garden seems to have thoroughly enjoyed it. I loved the urn with the succulents "spilling" out of it. That's one of the better examples I've seen using this idea.
ReplyDeleteYes, the garden was loads of fun, and it was capped off by Jean's welcoming spirit. :)
DeleteThis was a wonderfully fun garden. And I'm so excited already to come Fling in Madison next year!
ReplyDeleteAgreed: This garden was full of smiles and fun, Pam. I'm excited for next year, too. It will be fun, as well. Different, but fun! :)
DeleteYes... your favourite aunt. Such a fun sense of humor too.
ReplyDeleteRight? She was wonderful. I want to go back. :)
DeleteA super fun favorite aunt! I truly loved Jean's spirit, imagination, and whimsy!
ReplyDeleteMe, too, Linda. She would be a fun person to visit regularly. :)
DeleteYour post was a great glimpse of a fun garden. Wish I was there!
ReplyDeleteI wish you could have been there, too, Becky. Maybe next year? It would be fun to meet you. :)
DeleteI loved this garden - a definite highlight for me :)
ReplyDeleteYes, Michelle, it was a good one. I'm so glad we had a chance to chat on the bus! I hope you're having a pleasant summer so far.
DeleteI enjoyed the tour but I bet everything will be perfect since you will be planning it next year!
ReplyDeleteJeannie@GetMetoTheCountry
It won't be perfect, but it will be fun. Every Fling is fun--because of the people, the plants, and the gardens. ;-)
DeleteDefinitely one of my favourite gardens - and totally reflective of the gardener herself.
ReplyDeleteYes, that's a good way to put it. Jean has poured her personality into her garden for sure. :)
DeleteIt sounds great fun and what a quirky garden.
ReplyDeleteIt was a fun Fling, but I've enjoyed all the ones I've attended. This particular garden was sweet.
DeleteWhat a fun garden! I just love Barney Bazooka DeChomp III. I had a great-aunt like that, so I know what you mean. Such a pleasure to visit someone like that! Good luck with the planning of next year's fling!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Indie. Yes, it was fun to visit Jean's garden particularly because she was so enthusiastic. And her garden was fabulous, too.
DeleteA beautiful garden, and I absolutely love Barney!
ReplyDeleteHope you have a fun and safe 4th!
Thanks, Lea. Just catching up on comments after a busy few days. It was a very fun garden. :)
DeleteYes! I loved this garden, and the gardener. You've captured it really well. Especially loved the hippo and death by chocolate.
ReplyDeleteShe was fun, wasn't she? And so creative with the plants and the characters, too.
DeleteBit slow here, had to go back to find
ReplyDeleteit's not a relephant it's a hippopotamus ;~)
But those eyes followed me down the page.
Haha. Yes, the characters in this garden, including the gardener, herself, were great fun!
DeleteI'm a big believer in joy and whimsy. I wish I'd been there!
ReplyDeleteI wish you'd been there, too. Hope to see you next year!
DeleteOMG that's a lot of flowers, and as you said they are truly all fabulous! I guess cactus and succulents are now famous everywhere, because here, every garden shows have them.
ReplyDelete