Today Lynn Rouse is sharing photos of her miniaturized garden. Many gardeners worry about not being able to maintain expansive gardens as they get older, but Lynn shows that you can keep all the elements of your garden if you just make them smaller and easier to care for.
My husband and I moved from a corner suburban property to a townhouse in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. As seniors, we appreciate this new condensed lifestyle. The garden consists of all the elements of the garden at our former home, such as comfortable seating, a fountain, veggies, a bird-friendly habitat, and plant material for creative floral designs that we prepare for show at our Optimistic Gardeners Club.
Mourning doves are occasional residents.
Bluebirds have several broods each year.
We have room for tomatoes in a large pot.
This is one of our finished looks. We rotate furniture and accessories each season for variety.
Another look. We have seating for seven people.
The alcove includes a fountain, silver lace vine (Fallopia baldschuanica, Zones 4–7), and coleus. A hanging basket full of annuals brings more color.
A note of whimsy in our alcove “destination.”
The bare area as it looked with the new fence and pine straw mulch.
The alcove at first.
The covered patio between the garage and the kitchen. It provides shelter and creates a breeze.
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Comments
Really nice job on your downsizing, Lynn. Your seating area looks comfortable, cheery and welcoming. And, speaking of welcoming, what a treat that a pair of bluebirds decided to take you up on your hospitality and call your place home.
Sheer happiness! I love what you've done and you've inspired me for my small patio home garden! The seating area is as beautiful as your lovely plants. And, your dog! I that an adorable Airedale? Thank you for sharing with us!
He is a purebred Champion Irish Terrier named Danny Boy
Totally beautiful! You really have that downsizing figured out!
This is very inspiring - you can have a lovely garden in a small space! What a great job you've done making this oasis for people, pets and wildlife! Your tomatoes look delicious!
Adorable!!! Cozy & beautiful & comfy !!! Tomatoes look great ! Way to go !!!!
I was just thinking of simplifying my garden also. Yours space turned our beautifully. Loved seeing the before photo- just shows how lucky one is to have imagination to invent a great garden in that small space that so many other people would have left barren. Great job!
My husband also has had 3 basil harvests and has small hot chili peppers. I have chives. These are all in pots.
Thank you. It is our happy place. The furniture is half of what we had in our previous home. We bought planters that that would raise our plants above digging by our dog. I love fountains and am very happy with small solar powered one we have. It only works part of the day requiring fewer refills.
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