The front yard of Carol Rhodes’ home is full of colorful flowers. (West Life photo by Larry Bennet)

Smooth transition in the spatial relationship in this garden
By Thea Steinmetz
Insights
Published Sept. 1, 2010

A garden can display many faces, and that is one of the allures of gardening. The personality of the homeowner can be expressed in a garden. Pity the person who does not care one wit of what goes on outside the confines of his or her home.

The property of Carol Rhodes in North Olmsted suggests the owner is deeply involved in exhibiting what joy the garden brings to her. By the end of August, most properties show signs of retreating from the lush growth of summer. As nature will not be held back, there are a few signs of the times here, but they are minimal. The earlier seasonal perennials are gone but hardly missed.

The curb appeal here is far superior to most homes. The profusion of late August color is surprising. The tightness of the logistics of the design suggests that a garden designer was consulted. Earlier this summer, Carol had invited her North Olmsted Garden Club to come to her home for a picnic. This resulted in asking her friend, Kathy Stokes-Schaeffer of Garden Graphics in Strongsville, to come up with suggestions for the curved bed in the front lawn. She is a garden designer with much experience and understood what Carol had in mind.

One attractive, attention-grabbing feature is by the front door. A large urn quietly bubbles and brings a serene element to the entrance. At the base, dark stones anchor the urn in a harmonious way.

“I get quite a few compliments,” Carol said. “And I like the water very much.”

Viewing the plethora of plants in the curved beds and trying to identify them takes great concentration. The junipers and red Japanese maple trees bring height to the design. The weeping cherry tree acts as an anchor at the beginning of the bed.

The zinnias are grand, and there are several blue-flowered beauties that are attractive but nameless. Snapdragons and New Guinea impatiens are interspersed in several locations on the property. The pink knockout roses are still in full bloom. Another plant, and here is where I am not sure about the name, Carol claims is a “hydrangea named pinky-winky that was bought under that name.” A trellis against the front of the house lost its pyracantha, or firethorn, and has been replaced recently with a fall blooming vine.

The side yard also offers a wealth of plants. Black potato vines flourish and have spread to become a groundcover in one space. The blue salvia Victoria is always a wonderful addition to the garden, as is the gray dusty miller, in contrast, planted next to it. There are multiple geraniums here and hardy ageratum. The bordering white alyssum is without fault. Cheery and still-perfect petunias are sticking around as if to say, “don’t count us out just yet.” A healthy stand of blue-flowering catmint is a favorite for two reasons. Fragrance comes first, and then the fact that a piece may be broken off, deposited in the ground and a new plant forms without difficulty.

Some years back, Carol and her husband, Ralph, decided that straight lines in the garden were less appealing than curvilinear contours. She wanted more of the traditional English appeal while he opted for the more formal style with plants repeated in certain numbers and breathing space in between. The rear of the property displays a marriage of both styles. To one side, there is a massive stone raised planting bed. The curves lead the eye not only around the curvature but also from plant to plant.

The waist-high Fleur de Le fountain echoes the sound of water from the front of the house. It is banked with ferns that are not set in the ground, but in containers. That gives them extra height and encourages ease of watering.

One interesting feature is how Carol treats her houseplants that are summering outdoors. A great specimen of a jade plant is planted in the ground, right under a maple tree. The Christmas cactus also does well here. She feels the maple trees make a great host for houseplants during the warm weather months. There are some interesting varieties here, and a copper-colored example, with great texture, has a leaf that almost looks quilted.

“I know what I like,” Carol said. “But I don’t always remember the name of the plant.”

The North Olmsted Community Garden was mentioned, and I suggested we go there to see what it is all about. There are 10 each of 4-by-8-foot raised beds. These were a recent addition to the community. Each of the 10 citizens fortunate to snatch a plot is allowed to plant vegetables or herbs of his or her choosing. In Carol’s bed, there are tomatoes, peppers and herbs, all thriving. Others have planted beans, onions, eggplants and whatever caught their fancy.

A mesh wire fence surrounds the area and spells success for keeping deer out. For a first-year effort, especially since it was started well after the growing season got underway, the weed-free beds are a pleasure to see. It can only be hoped that this trial attempt will expand for next year so more residents can experience the joy of growing their own vegetables.