Amy Hilden and James Reid have created a world of wonder for their two young children--a place where their son and daughter can experience the unfolding magic of flowers, plants, fish and butterflies. The idea is to have a garden space that is relaxed, environmentally sound and family-friendly. Here's how they did it:
Amy is a philosophy instructor who enjoys the process of gardening; James is an artist who enjoys the results. Between them they took a bare, uninteresting yard and made it into a garden playground, brimming with life and personality.
Creeping Charlie, the plywood alligator, is a favorite with the children. The playful sculpture was designed by James, and it happily shares the front yard with a plywood dinosaur playmate.
The pond is a place that Amy admits she does not have great interest in. But she and James have maintained it and kept the fish alive for three years now, all for the children's enjoyment.
A two-tiered fountain provides a spot for the children to stand and play in the water. "We wanted to create a garden for our children," says Amy, "because if you don't create a garden that is friendly for children, you'll be constantly frustrated by what they do in it. So if it's an untouchable space, then you're bound for failure if you have small children."
This neat outdoor room was designed for entertaining. Wisteria and wild grape, when established on the arbor above, will provide ample shade.
The herb garden was once square but did not work well with the rest of the garden. Now kidney-shaped, its curved lines relate much better to the other lines of the garden, says Amy.
The woodland garden features a 100-year-old oak tree that provides the perfect sheltering environment for hostas, ginger and trillium. It's Amy's favorite place when she needs a little peace and quiet.
James particularly likes to "recycle" unusual objects and use them creatively in the garden. The plant stand, for example, was once part of a downtown bridge.
Composting is an important part of the philosophy behind this family-friendly garden. James pushes finished compost through a screen to soften and refine it before use as a fertilizer.
Featured Plants:
- oak tree
- hostas
- fig trees
- citrus plants
- grapevines
- tulips
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