My name is Joanne Guerriero, and this is the garden created by my dad, Donald King, age 88. It’s located in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, a 6B zone.
Nineteen years ago when my parents (Don and Barbara) moved into this home, there was a bit of structure in the backyard garden—a brick patio and a small pond.
Since then, Don has created a bit-wild, naturalistic, whimsical environment that fills the yard. Being friendly with a large local landscape designer gave Don access to the business’ “burn pile” made up of dying, damaged, or otherwise discarded plants. More than 75% of the garden’s plantings Don nurtured back to health. They are recycled “rescues” that were removed from other gardens!
The garden is populated with perennial plants, flowers, and shrubs, and Don adds annuals for color and interest. The garden is laid out in vignettes, with sculptures, reimagined trash, structures he has built (dry well and dry bed, outhouse, stone walls, bridges, walkways) and recycled natural materials dotting the landscape. It’s a low-maintenance wonderland and my dad’s pride.
Each year I create a monthly calendar made up of 12 garden photos and then share copies with family members. We call it “The Garden of the Kings Calendar.”
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To submit, send 5-10 photos to gpod@taunton.com 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.
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Comments
Joanne, I loved every single part of your dad’s garden. It is amazing. Must be a joy to walk through. Sheer happiness to be found there. Give him a pat on the back for me. Well done!
I like the whole idea of using recycled plants and materials in creating a garden. So well done.
It’s a wonderful garden. Your dad did an amazing job. It’s fun and interesting. Thank you.
A beautiful reflection of a beautiful life. Gardens speak of those who create them and your father's garden speaks of joy, peace, amusement, wonder, and a man who is at home in his own skin. Well done. Thanks for sharing and offering all gardens a dose of inspiration.
Oh I just love that he has "rescue plants", rejected by other gardeners just because they weren't shaped right, or needed some care to recover!
The frog fountain birdbath is such a nice garden ornament...I loved it so much I saved the photo!
The water lilies are amazing with the wooden walk over the pond....the whole garden is really pretty and relaxing.
Oh my, how wonderful! I sure wish I had some of his energy.
Just beautiful, all of it!
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