Barbara Beckenbach sits in her condo garden. (West Life photo by Larry Bennet)

There is freedom in planting for some condominium owners
By Thea Steinmetz
Insights
Published June 20, 2007

Any personal domain, be it inside or out, large or small, has to satisfy. After visiting several sizeable and exquisite gardens the past few weeks, it is time to think a bit smaller. Condominiums come with various degrees of freedom to plant or not to plant. It is refreshing to hear something positive after listening to several horror stories and many stifling restrictions. When it comes to expressing one’s personality on the few feet allowed outdoors, it is satisfying to find that some condo associations allow for a small measure of creativity.

Today we visit two such properties in Rocky River. The first one belongs to Pat McConochy, and if some fairy dust would be sprinkled on her entranceway, it would sparkle. The dimensions are on the small side, but the design is ambitious.

Pat claims to be the least talented gardener and adds, “I can kill a plant quicker than you can plant it, but I love the outdoors.” She turned to Deborah Cunningham of Interiors and Gardens for help. Her request was to have the space tidy and be low on maintenance.

Considering that all the space available is on either side of her walk to the front door, it is amazing how many plants there are and how varied the material is. Pat insisted that there also be a bench for sitting to enjoy the magic of the entryway.

A weathered trellis adds dimension to the light brick wall that is the next-door neighbor’s garage. A climbing rose bush is ready to attach itself to this waiting support. There are also some double knockout roses already in bloom, showing off their strong red color.

Conical boxwood and blue hydrangeas capture attention. There are stargazer lilies and a grafted lilac standard. There are at least 14 small boxwood, and the repetitive planting adds formality. Garden statuary had to be incorporated and is represented by a large rabbit.

The back part of the building will be improved next year. For now, the ravine leading down to Spenser creek has a few problems. The neighbor’s wall already slipped down the steep hillside, and shoring up the area is scheduled. In the meantime, Pat is pleased and fulfilled with the attractive entryway to her home

The second condominium garden is a secret garden in back of the Beckenbach residence. Approaching the home from the front reveals no clue as to what charm awaits in the back. The entry has the typical landscaping for such a place, just lots of pachysandra and an evergreen or two.

Barbara wanted a space that offered harmonious seclusion. When she and her husband Bill first moved there, the space to the rear was dark and uninviting. She set out to transform it slowly into a charming and uncomplicated secret garden hideaway. It has since become an attractive and meaningful private space.

Considering how shady this area is, there are not too many options for sun-loving plants. Mature rhododendrons and ferns are thriving. Geraniums are also happy here, and several do very well in containers. A no-longer-used birdbath is planted with pink geraniums and spikes and brings elevation to the groundcover beneath. A row of low growing ornamental grass is neatly contained behind a custom-made ornamental iron fence. Most of the color comes from impatiens that are planted in a few areas. One cannot overlook the outsized metal kettle that once was used to boil maple syrup and now is overflowing with impatiens.

White astilbe is ready to flower, bringing a cool element to the mostly green garden. A little girl statuary named Myrtle is sitting in a bed of groundcover of myrtle, what else?

A late blooming climatis rests at the end of the home, while planter boxes filled with geraniums and bicopa rest on the fence leading out of the garden.

Red brick feels solid underfoot and comfortable furniture invites one to sit a spell. There even is a small fire pit for comfort on a cool evening. Quiet confidence abounds in this secret garden, and it is a safe haven from the world at large.

Garden tips and more
The Cleveland Botanical Garden, from time to time, offers suggestions on how to improve our gardening habits. I found some helpful hints in this month’s issue of “Gardening Tips You Can Use.” Now is the time to cut back the boxwood and yew bushes. The azaleas and rhododendrons have finished blooming and now they should be  fertilized. Pinching back the mums now will result in bushier plants.

It is also suggested that roses should always be watered at ground level, keeping the leaves dry and not spread disease spores by the splashing water. Black spots on rose leaves can be reduced by trimming all leaves and stems that touch the ground.

Remember, the Hershey Children’s Garden at the Cleveland Botanical Garden is a wonderful place to visit with little ones during the summer. There is always something going on, and it is even fun for us grownups.

Last call for entering your garden in the Westlake in Bloom contest. Entry forms came with the last Westlake newsletter. If you do not have the information, Westlake City Hall will be happy to furnish it.

There are 12 categories to be entered.  In the residential landscaping competition, small, medium or large will be taken in consideration. Deadline to enter is July 6. To be eligible for judging by Master Gardeners from Cuyahoga County, the deadline date has to be observed.

Past winners are eligible and are encouraged to enter again. Get your trowel out and keep planting. It will be great to see you in the winner’s circle.