Heirloom Garden
Kelly Bourne and DJ Janota bought in Quail Valley a year ago for unique floor plans and trees. Avid collectors of "anything old" or that has an heirloom quality, they wanted a garden where they could entertain, but that would fit with their interests. The basic garden itself already had heirloom plants such as Live Oaks, Crape Mrytles, Nandinas, Plumbago, ferns and other well-adapted plants.
They continued with a garden design that was easy to care for as well as entertain, but added native plants such as Cestrum, Bottle Brush, Bauhinia Mexican Orchid Tree, Angel Trumpets and Vitex for more privacy. For easy care, they consulted with Kelly's mom, who is a Master Gardener to select varieties that "wouldn't take over."
Bottom line, the garden is about finding your interests and style . . . being realistic about maintenance and working in stages with your budget in mind. Just like their collections indoors, they are creating their own collection and style and having fun experimenting with plants.
Entertaining space includes a large bar and planters. Plumerias, Staghorn Ferns, other succulents and various collectibles adorn all areas. DJ loves rooting cuttings and sharing with friends with plants they are collecting.
A natural stone wall takes advantage of the golf course views with a backdrop of Oyster Creek. It also offers plenty of drainage for natives like the Shrimp plants, well-adapted such as split leaf philodendrons, and other plants that thrive in the shade of the large oaks--soften the stone.
Potted plants ease care, ensure more color and work well with a myriad of plant textures such as ferns that make the garden softer, more inviting. Two large Live Oaks frame the golf course.
Unfortunately, our gardeners live in the real world: pool pumps break, windstorms happen. On the date we were to photograph, both of those things happened the night before, but with the view, light and peaceful evening, who is worrying about a few leaves when the light filters through the oaks.
Come experience the excitement of making a garden yours--with your stamp of magic!
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