Over July 4th, we traveled to Iowa to see Mom, Sis and the boys (two nephews and a brother-in-law). I have previously featured a few of their garden specimens for Abigail’s Virtual Flowers so if you are an avid reader, you may see some repeats.
Mom and my sister’s family share a back yard. My brother-in-law has landscaped it beautifully, building a terraced garden from her upper yard to their lower yard. Mom has her flower beds, lots of fruit trees, some prairie gardens and one fairy garden.
My brother-in-law has an espalier wall with apple and pear trees (that just happens to be in mom’s yard), a water garden, rock garden, outdoor kitchen area (with Big Green Egg), and a patio.
He has also put in a willow archway, a twig built trellis, a M*A*S*H pole for my sister (an uber fan), and a tree house (with help from The Hubs).
They “share” the vegetable beds.
Both of their yards have separate grape arbors.
Mom and the B-i-L went to classes and became Master Gardeners together a number of years ago. They both love their gardens and don’t mind infringing on the other’s. It is hilarious to listen to them discuss gardening projects sometimes.
They sound like an old married couple.
The weekend after the Fourth, both gardens were being featured in a garden tour to benefit the local historical society.
They spent lots of hours prepping and planting and weeding for the tour.
There were some disagreements and squabbling. 🙁
There gardens always look immaculate to me, though.
I am a bit biased, but I think they had the best showing.
Abigail, you pick any and/or all of these flowers you want today. Giggles and smiles…
Comments & Replies
22 responses to “The Garden Tour”
What a lovely tour! I’m so surprised that your brother-in-law and your mom took a class together which probably means they actually rode in a car together several times! 🙂 Such a beautiful set of gardens. Do you mind if I use the picture of the fairy garden and the milk can garden? Of course I will give you full credit. I can’t wait to show my husband the milk can!
Of course you can. For some more fairy gardens:
http://eliotseats.com/?p=4072
And
http://eliotseats.com/?p=4096
Thank you!!
Your mom has an AWESOME garden!
Yes she does. It s beautiful.
Wow – that is stunning. I love the water pump and those cannas are so lovely. Very beautiful.
I think the water pump came off the farm too. My cannas always look raggedy and wind blown. Hers are beautiful, always.
How cool is all of this! You can see that there’s a ton of love and care put into these gardens, beautiful, just beautiful!!!
Yep, mom and the BIL love their gardens (and secretly compete with each other, I think). 🙂
Your garden is so decorative and pretty, I love it!
I have to say, I wish this were my garden. All credit goes to mo. And the BIL.
You have such a pretty garden! Home grown foods are just the best.
Homegrown is the best.
Iowa soil is so black and rich. Until I moved to Indiana (land of clay!), I didn’t realize what I’d lost. Your mom and sister’s gardens are fabulous. And that fairy garden is precious. Thanks so much for sharing them all with us 🙂
Have you heard William Elliott Whitmore’s “Black Iowa Dirt”?
Terrific looking garden! A lot of talent went into creating that – it’s spectacular! Love the MASH pole and the garden art in the water garden. Really good stuff – thanks.
They are a talented bunch!
So many clever ideas for plantings! Beautiful gardens and gorgeous pictures!
I get inspired every time I visit.
Can I come live there? Just for a week or two–it is beautiful. Kudos to all who work to make to beautiful (and I do know it takes lots of work)!
It takes a ton of work, but they keep on top of it. It is so serene just to wander around their yards.
[…] we were at mom’s for the Fourth (and the garden tour), she was determined to have a mother/daughter lunch amid all the […]