Garden Photo of the Day

An Unexpected Garden

Fun gardening in an unusual spot

By GPOD Contributor
three-level fountain in the middle of this small garden

Nicki Snoblin in Lake Bluff, Illinois, found a wonderful little treasure to share with us.

Today I would like to share some photos of a tiny garden in an unexpected place in my neighborhood. I don’t know who owns it, but it’s clearly a labor of love. Encountering a garden like this is like getting a wonderful gift.

wide view of small garden in the middle of pavementThis garden is nestled under two oak trees in a carveout between a parking lot and an alley, just off a major two-lane road. It’s packed full of eclectic edging and path materials, plants in pots and in the ground, and half-hidden delights.

three-level fountain in the middle of this small gardenThe centerpiece of the garden is a three-level fountain.

cut branches turned into garden path and edgingA creative use of branches made this path and edging.

close up of large multi-colored hibiscusThis large and beautiful hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, Zones 9–11) in a pot must be overwintered indoors.

small rectangular container amongst lots of other plantsA rectangular planter contains what I think is a rooted cutting from the hibiscus, about to bloom.

vining plants next to container plantingsThis trellis covered with wisteria (Wisteria sp. Zones 5–9) has a little pot of oxalis (Oxalis triangularis, Zones 7–10) hung from it with a bent shirt hanger.

close up of Blackberry lily berriesBlackberry lily’s (Iris domestica, Zones 4–10) namesake shiny, berrylike seeds are the follow-up to cherry-orange flowers.

blue chair used as garden artA blue chair provides a pop of color.

close up of garden art hidden in plantsJust visible behind this rosebush is a metal decoration hung with crystals.

fake mushrooms amongst plantsA few colorful mushrooms

concrete turtle in gardenA concrete turtle makes its home beneath the edge of the fountain.

 

Have a garden you’d like to share?

Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit!

To submit, send 5-10 photos to [email protected] along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden.

Have a mobile phone? Tag your photos on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with #FineGardening!

Do you receive the GPOD by email yet? Sign up here.

Fine Gardening Recommended Products

A.M. Leonard Deluxe Soil Knife & Leather Sheath Combo

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

MULTITASKING DUAL EDGES: a deep serrated edge and a tapered slicing edge ideal for tough or delicate cuts. DURABLE 6-inch stainless steel blade withstands 300 lbs of pressure. TWINE CUTTING NOTCH, DEPTH GAUGE MARKINGS & spear point - no need to switch tools when using this garden knife. LEATHER SHEATH: heavy duty, protective, clip on sheath to keep your knife convenient and secure. LIFETIME WARRANTY.
Buy at Amazon

Gardener's Log Book from NYBG

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

This weatherproof five-year log book includes the following features: · Sturdy waterproof cover to protect pages from rain and muddy soil · Lined pages and gridded paper for plotting beds · Five years of 12-month bloom and harvest grids for recording what you planted and when · Authoritative appendices on composting, pruning, pest and disease control, and container gardening · Useful reminders by season on fertilizing, mulching, and transplanting · Space for listing your favorite sources and suppliers.
Buy at Amazon

Berry & Bird Rabbiting Spade, Trenching Shovel

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Ideal Tool for All Gardeners Use: Our heavy duty trenching shovel is designed by a professional gardening tool designer. Lifetime Durability: This heavy duty drain spade is made of high-quality stainless steel, it is very strong and durable, even if it is used for high-strength work, it will not bend. Ergonomic Wood Handle: The handle of this planting spade is made of ash hardwood harvested from FSC-certified forests and has an ergonomically streamlined design, making it very suitable for everyone's hands. Multi-Use: This digging shovel is generally used for digging trenches, digging holes, transplanting, edging, moving compost, cutting thick turf and furrowing. The sharp blade allows you to cut, scoop, dig, lift and dice in hard soil.
Buy at Amazon
X
View Comments

Comments

  1. gardendevas 10/12/2023

    How delightful! Now that is the heart and soul of gardening — to plant and play with nature in an available locale.

  2. user-7821942 10/12/2023

    I love this! Imagine the joy this unexpected garden brings to those who pass by each day. Bravo!

  3. User avater
    treasuresmom 10/12/2023

    How sweet!

  4. btucker9675 10/12/2023

    What a charming little spot - surely must bring smiles to passers-by!

  5. mbrisport 10/12/2023

    So very creative. Loved it.

  6. User avater
    simplesue 10/13/2023

    That little garden is a nice surprise! Wow I love what you've done- taking a little spot to add a garden is always a nice thing to do and to come across!
    Oh I love your concrete mushrooms!

  7. User avater
    bdowen 10/13/2023

    I hope you can figure out who the gardener is and share the comments here with that person. Someone has a wonderful time in that space.

  8. [email protected] 10/13/2023

    What a wonderful treat for a Friday! Thanks for sharing this little treasure you came across.

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Related Articles

The Latest

How-To
Keep Moth Orchids Happy and They’ll Bloom Year After Year

For many people, picking up a potted moth ­orchid (Phalaenopsis spp. and cvs., Zones 10–12) is like buying cut flowers; they don’t care for the plant once it stops blooming.…
Design
4 Luck® Red Stripes White Variegated Clover Adds a Little Luck to Your Pots

While many gardeners might label white clover as a weed, this fast-filling, variegated selection is cute as a button in containers. With a mix of 3- and 4-palmate leaves, you’ll…
Design
Garden Tour of a Sustainable Native Plant Oasis Bursting with Fall Color

When Jeff Lorenz and Kayla Fell purchased this property in the Philadelphia suburbs, they knew they had their work cut out for them. A front and back yard of mostly…

Video

View All Videos
Design

Touring an Eco-friendly, Shady Backyard Retreat

You must be careful when you enter the backyard of garden designer Jeff Epping—not because you’re likely to trip on something, but because you might be dive-bombed by a pair…
Design

4 Midsummer Favorites From a Plant Breeder's Garden
Design

Garden Tour of a Sustainable Native Plant Oasis Bursting with Fall Color
Podcast: Let's Argue About Plants

Episode 170: High-Impact Native Plants with Uli Lorimer  
Podcast: Let's Argue About Plants

Episode 169: Great Foundation Plants