Visiting Randy & Jamie
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Michael and I had a great weekend. We drove down to Prattville, Alabama to visit Randy and Jamie (of Creating our Eden). We've been chatting and e-mailing for almost a year now and we finally met them about a month ago. This was our first opportunity to visit them and see their beautiful garden.
The remarkable thing about this garden is that it was created just this year. In February, a tornado destroyed their garden (but thankfully did little damage to the house) and the garden they had been working on had to be started again from scratch. Two things immediately come to mind: 1) these guys work really hard! and 2) plants grow fast in south Alabama!
My first impression was how lush and colorful it all was. Randy was saying that the blooms were about gone and the garden was on the way out but he could have fooled me.
They have a large collection of cannas and I have to confess, I'm now seeing these plants in a new light. They were all beautiful and I would be hard-pressed to pick a favorite.
This border features an abundance of tropical plants like banana trees, elephant's ear, cannas, and ginger. Notice the little 'Red Cascade' rose blooming on the topiary form.
A pink brugmansia (Angel's Trumpet)was loaded with blooms.
I love the way Jamie used pieces of slate underneath this sedum. Very creative! Hmmm, ever thought about a career in garden design Jamie?
This Buddha statue sits at the end of a pathway. The bees were really buzzing around the Mexican heather.
A lion statue sits in a corner.
Randy and Jamie like lions! These lion statues stand at the entrance to a garden wall that will soon be covered in confederate jasmine. They took us to the nursery where they bought them and we came home with a pair for our garden.
After going through my photos, I realized that there are aspects of the garden that I didn't photograph. I was really impressed with the grass pathways that meander through the garden. As the plants and trees mature, it is going to be a magical wonderland of mazes with a visual delight around every corner. No weeds in sight and the edgings are razor sharp! These are meticulous gardeners! I really felt like a slacker when I came back to our garden. Thank you Randy and Jamie for a wonderful visit!
Comments
Amazing how fast the plants have grown.
I enjoyed this tour.
They sure do look like they work their little butts off!
And I glad your too far to visit my garden. It's a complete mess compared to theirs!
It's a treat to see how much Randy and Jamie have done in one short year. Their garden looks absolutely beautiful.
You should start a bloggers campaign or workshop on that!
Although the nearest bloggers garden to me is Elizabeth of Garden Rant & Gardening While Intoxicated. I'm sure the photos would come out unfocused and tilted, depending on what's being served that day.
Marnie
Great photos and commentary.
It's especially interesting coming here from their blog - some of the same places but somehow a different view.
Isn't it great to see a garden in person? And see the garden-ers in person, too?
Annie at the Transplantable Rose
The missing Lost In The Flowers resurfaces. I even accomplished a blog post today :0)
Cannas a really awesome! The leaves are such great contrast with their boldness. The blossoms are like an added bonus.
Thanks for Sharing Jamie and Randy's garden. A totally incredible accomplishment following a tornado ... southern Alabama or not.
Randy & Jamie - take a bow. But Phillip where is the rose covered topiary you mentioned? I didn't find it in any of the pics even with a second inspection.
Tammy