Our Secret Garden

One of the conditions on moving was that I wanted a green "lush" garden....something to remind me of home. We've been working on creating just that.

We tried many different plants and shrubs and found that roses grow well here in the heat. We have many different roses, some going down the side of our home...most are in the backyard garden.

All gardens need a "garden gate". Upon entering our garden, we have a beautiful mandavilla vine called "Stars and Stripes". Hopefully within time, it will grow and cross over the arch above the gate.

As you look past the patio area, you'll see a gravel path leading to our solitude bench under the grapevine. Nearby, we have an old Franklin wood burning stove with a wine barrel sitting on top. The reason for that is we have a "puppy" that likes to get on top of the stove and peek over the wall into the neighbors yard....Hunter is a real character.

Moving a little to the East is another view of our solitude bench, nestled in the grapes. Nearby, on the wall, is a collection of whimsical birdhouses. Some birds use them, most just stop to look.

Even though our yard is not very big, we've tried to make it as "lush" as possible. One of the things we did was to use a Chaste bush and trained it to be a tree. Every Summer, we get the most beautiful purple sprigs of flower for a couple of weeks and then it provides much needed shade.

One thing for sure is that the heat will zap all the moisture out of everything. On a trip to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, we picked up two rockers made by the Amish. Every summer they have to be repainted or they become "kindling" waiting to happen. This season, we've painted one, Cherry Red, and are waiting for a calm day to paint the other Forest Green. We love to have splashes of color throughout the garden.

As you can see, our garden is a "work in progress".... we still have another patio to build (as you can tell by the pallets of stone). Hunter has worn patches in the grass that need to be replaced...all of this takes time and "elbow grease". Yes, I would love to be home in Oklahoma but for now, this is our "getaway" from the hustle and bustle of a hot, fast city. ... More to come.