Courtyard for Health and Hospitality.
Janet and Randy Gilmore's garden has the feel of a New Orleans Courtyard complete with shutters, a full outdoor kitchen, a vegetable garden and citrus grove. You'll enjoy a glass of homemade lemonade as you view the Bromeliad filled pond and relax next to the salt water pool waterfall.
When Janet's father needed care and came to live with them, they used this event as an opportunity to add an upstairs master bedroom and make a privacy deck that included a full outdoor kitchen. They both relax by gardening and entertaining. To extend enjoying the outdoors year round, heaters and a fire pit chase away the cooler days and nights.
An outdoor shower allows a quick cool off from working in the garden or to rinse off after a swim. Kitchen and shower areas provide display areas for the Mexican artifacts the Gilmores have collected from their travels. It's just fun to hear their enthusiasm and interesting stories.
The tomato and vegetable garden is done in such a manner you'll think, why didn't I think of that? with its use of antique filigreed building blocks. And everything is right there to slice a few tomatoes or entertain with drinks or dinner--enjoy the Gilmore's hospitality as well as the harvest from the gardens.
Collections of glass and Celtic symbols add interest as the colors of the Hibiscus and smell of the citrus fill the senses while you listen to the fountains and waterfalls. Randy has an interesting collection that it will be more fun for you to discover. Our surprise and delight was when we noticed what we thought was a rock . . . move. Sip some lemonade and see how a back garden can transform into a "courtyard" for health and hospitality that takes full advantage of Houston's climate.
To buy advance tickets, contact Janice Scanlan at 281 261-2320 or at any tour location or garden sale on April 24. Tour Hours 10 AM to 3 PM.
Garden sponsored by Pond Pros of Houston
Additional sponsor Pool Pros