Sunday, April 15, 2012

The Enchanted Garden

I read on a wise person's blog recently, to make sure you bring a camera with you when you are driving around.  Even in your daily travels, you never know what you will find along the way.  Thanks to the technology of cell phones these days - it's even easier than ever.  ...and may I say, it was sage wisdom.

Friday I was making a pilgrimage out West and took a favorite scenic route to make the drive more interesting.  Along the way I came upon, what I now call, "The Enchanted Garden".  Here is a comprehensive view from the road:

The "Enchanted Garden" - view one
The property is sprawling, and I have seen it from time to time - with interesting yard art over the years.  But this year was different.  Obviously the garden designer is an avid purple lover, and to some it could be a bit overwhelming.  On the other hand, the 'green/blank space' gives your eye (and mind) enough relief - that I find this all so visually pleasing.

As you see, a lot of 'green' space with vignettes of interest deep in the property
I would have to suspect that the designer is also the owner of the home?  The landscaping and yard art is so personal, that this certainly is not a traditional textbook design.  While it might be personal, there has been quite an investment - both time and financially.  The driveway is edged in re-purposed cobblestone pavers, which is such a nod to the history of Chicago.

What a GRAND entrance, don't you think?
If you click on the photos in this post, the images will enlarge.  This will give you a chance to see some of the other visual treasures deeper in the property.  There is a large totem between the trees close to the home.  Seating areas with bird houses (some are big enough to be 'towers'), gazing balls, antiques and native plants and grasses keep your eye traveling near and far.

Zoom in (double click on the photo)!  Note some details closer to the home
Every corner of this property was planned and planted, including the right side of the entrance which butted up to the next door neighbor's drive.  No detail was overlooked.  I can't wait to see what blooms later in the season.



I felt a bit guilty and awkward as I took the 5 minutes to photograph this magical place.  It seemed voyeuristic and a tad invasive to be standing on the edge of the road, 'ogling' someone's work.  I wish I knew more of the garden designer that created this enchanted place.  I'll "Google" it - and see if there is local info on it, see if there is a local garden club that is doing a 'garden walk'.  Who knows - I may even get bold enough to stop by on a Saturday afternoon?  Anyone who paints their front door purple can't be too scary, right?!

So - if you haven't thought of it before, bring that point n' shoot pocket camera with you.  Take advantage of that "smart" technology.  Take the road less traveled, "It makes all the difference."

Pacem, amicis...

© All content and photography by Shyrlene Foster at The Bunnies Buffet (unless noted otherwise)

27 comments:

  1. That's right...those of us who paint our front doors purple are actually quite nice...check out my Purple post to see what it means to have a purple door...looks like an interesting yard...

    http://gardenseyeview.com/2012/02/22/purple-passion-natives/

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    1. Donna - you were actually the first person I thought of when I saw the purple door on this home (and through out the garden). I've always loved the name of your budding business "Purple Door Garden Designs". I thought your posts on color were excellent.

      I'll have to go back to this new 'Enchanted Garden' again and see if I can negotiate close up photos with my DSLR. I would love to talk with the person who has such a fertile mind for the designs of this home.

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    2. OTOH many garden bloggers would enjoy chatting about their beloved to an admirer! It is easier to strike up a garden conversation if the gardener is out gardening. Maybe one day you'll get lucky?

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    3. EE - I wholeheartedly agree; I would like to think they would like to talk about it?! Once the weather breaks (April has been very cool, cloudy and windy) I am going to drive by on a sunny Saturday afternoon ... hopeful they will be outside, enjoying the fruits of their labor. (I tried to see if they were in a local village garden club, but no luck so far.)

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  2. Very wise advice! I visited a friend 2 days ago and the first thing she said was, "Did you bring your camera?" She wanted some photos on the progress she has made on the gardens since she moved in a few months ago, when I took some "before" pictures. Of course, I hadn't brought the camera. From now on, it goes where I go. And I just want to say, you can never have too much purple.

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    1. Lyn - digital photography is simply the best, isn't it? If only for the quick & easy convenience of keeping track of things - it helps us remember change. Salute' to purple; there is no such thing as too much!!!

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  3. I need to get a little camera just for this very reason. I often pass lovely plants in bloom or little scenes that I would love to capture, but I never think to lug around my old Canon. It's a little too big.

    You certainly found a fabulous place to photograph. Lots of love went into the creation. The detail is wonderful.

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    1. Bernie - thank goodness my cell phone has a good camera; it just never occurred to me to keep a camera with me until recently. Can you imagine what treasures lie beyond that fence?!? Now, the next goal is to meet the designer in person!

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  4. I just look at that space and imagine all the veg you could grow in there!

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    1. IG - you are an intuitive gardener! Our area of the country is a corner stone for growing vegetables; just down the road from this garden is a huge farm - currently turning soil for corn and soybeans. My brother does season work for a local farmer and drives a tractor that would make you swoon! ;o) (Great to have you fly by! Thanks!)

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  5. Go for it Shyrlene. I would not doubt they would show you around. I have been out front when the owners came out and invited me in for a tour, in and out. It does help when I say I am an architect, they seem to want my approval, I am guessing. I found people to be so welcoming. I would take the purple door as an invitation.

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    1. Donna - I'm going to jump in with both feet. Just to meet the person that has the vision to create such a place, would be a bit of Nirvana in itself. (Your 'gentle' prodding made me smile a mile wide.)

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  6. Reading your post brought back fond memories of Lifes Highway ...

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    1. b-a-g - that is such a huge compliment! Thank you!! We can only hope that Life's Hwy has a triumphant return in the not too distant future.

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  7. What an awesome property!! I love it when gardeners make their gardens personal and add funky touches to give it some soul. I'm glad you liked the Bed of Death and Misery. ;o) If you go to the search tab or the labels, you can find the post I did last fall about the redesign. Fingers crossed it makes it through the summer!

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    1. C.M. - Doesn't it just rock! It's inspiration, for sure. Love your comment about 'funky touches to give it some soul"! Now we are talking... (I'll will definitely check out your post on the redesign of 'the Bed of Death & Misery".)

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  8. What a beautiful entrance! I'm shy, so instead of knocking on the door, I would probably drive by every day until I saw someone working out there! They would either consider me a shy gardener or a crazed stalker! :)

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    1. Holley - That purple door looks really, really far away from the road; it's going to take some chutzpah to actually go up there! I sure hope they are friendly? (Who could use purple so freely, and not be warm & welcoming!?!) We'll see how it goes?

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  9. As always, I am catching up on my blogging! I have enjoyed reading your last few posts. This garden is spectacular! I can see why you had to ogle it awhile. I bet the owner would be flattered and might even give you a tour! Why don't you put a complimentary note in the mailbox and mention your blog?

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    1. Deb - that 'catching up' thing? I am right there with you! It's seems like I'm always chasing time. Thanks for your kind words; I so appreciate it!

      Great idea to put a note in the mailbox! I'll work up a little courage and see where that takes me... :)

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  10. I agree wholeheartedly...feels a bit weird sometimes to shoot pics of such personal spaces but sometimes the inspiration you feel is just too powerful to resist the urge! Glad you stopped. I enjoyed the view.

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    1. Cat - thanks so much! Great to know I'm not the only one to feel a bit awkward taking pictures of personal gardens... The place is just magnetic though; I couldn't resist! This weekend - it's all about cleaning up around my gardens; more dandelion "slaying"! :D

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  11. I was out for a walk yesterday and saw the most amazing looking tree buds in someone's garden. I haven't a clue what they are but I leaned over their fence and snapped away. There's no harm in asking if you can have a look around - normally people will be flattered by the request.

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    1. Rosie - your comments are encouraging. First, to know it not uncommon among gardeners, especially garden bloggers, to stop and take photos of beautiful plants - regardless of where the blooms are. I will have to rally some courage and visit the designer/owner of the 'Enchanted Gardens'; they just have to be so interesting to talk to.

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  13. I wanted to congratulate you on the Versatile blog award, you have a lovely blog :).

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