Charming and Exciting Garden of Rudell and Jay

The garden I want to show you became one of my all time favorites. I visited it twice during our city garden tour in 2006 and 2014. I liked it when I saw it the first time, and I fell in love with it when I saw it last June.

What amazes me the most is how two people could create such a lush, exquisite, intimate space on a not so big lot in a residential area.

Further in the post, wherever I cite the Garden Tour program, I''ll  use quotation marks.

"This is truly a 'garden-lover's garden'! 

With tender loving care, Rudell and Jay Hegnes have created a place for plant enthusiasts

 to stroll, explore, and relax.

When you walk along the path on the side of the house toward the gate, you realize immediately that you have a treat in store.
The crushed granite paths provide the proper 'crunchy'sound of a real English country garden.

The use of vertical structures and plants creates the intimate feeling of separate garden rooms as you stroll through, making this suburb back yard feel much larger than it actually is".

I love this 'checkerboard'

and the bench. Don't you love this bench?

"It is hard to believe that such a wide variety of excellent trees, including Japanese maples, katsura,
 and species evergreens can be found in a garden of this size".

"Each area is packed with a profusion of healthy, beautifully maintained beds of colorful perennials and shrubs.

The shady areas are full of hostas and astilbes but there are also sunny spots for vegetables and a functional greenhouse".

6 by 6 foot greenhouse helps to overwinter tender tropicals and succulents.

I like how the owners surrounded it with plants turning it into an organic part of the garden.

The lawn is small, but is large enough to provide a rest for the eyes, excited by the engaging beauty 

of the plant beds and borders.

"As if the lush borders weren't enough, the containers of flowering plants and
many clever water features add the icing to this wedding-cake of a garden!"

I personally  love to plant perennials, shrubs and small trees into containers.

In this garden, all the container plants looked healthy and happy. 

Besides the plants, I admired the containers themselves. 

Made from different materials, of different sizes and colors, they were artfully combined and provided a great addition to the garden.

The garden accessories and decor were plentiful, but tastefully located, tucked in nooks and corners,
they didn't look overwhelming.

The guests of the garden had a special treat as a part of a garage was turned into a garden shed.

Seasonal garden decorations, collections, tools, garden tours memorabilia, etc. were perfectly organized
and displayed to please the eye.

The large patio framed by two cedar arbors is in the center of the back yard.

Surrounded by pots with trees, roses and annuals, it surely makes a statement!

Colorful  borders were tightly planted with reliable

 perennials suitable for the local climate.

There are several bird baths, feeders and basins providing water and food for songbirds.

I especially loved this simple but elegant bowl surrounded by verbena bonariensis:

Firstly, I missed the part of the shade garden along the back fence.

Someone told me to go check it, and I was glad I did.

The narrow space behind the trees felt like a piece of wonderland.

Isn't it great?

The owners turned a slope into a showcase for a variety of trees wonderfully combining 

the foliage texture and color.

Looking at the pictures, you can tell that I made several rounds in the garden, trying to see what I missed previously.
There were so many interest points and details which you don't want to miss!

I consider these two pictures, above and below, as a good illustration for a skillful use of different materials in the garden.

It's very easy to create clashing combinations that can ruin the harmony of the space. 

Here, cobblestone,  river rocks and crushed granite are playing together thanks to their similar texture and color, and even a birdbath and a cute pig go along with them.

Lovely vignettes were multiple in the garden!

I can imagine that this garden looks great and provides a sense of enclosure and serenity in all seasons.

It has good bones, nice structure, great plant combinations, repetition of garden features, wonderful layers 

 and tasteful accessories. 

I want to thank Rudell and Jay for a wonderful opportunity to see what two hardworking people, in love with nature and gardening, could create on their own. 

I personally was greatly inspired by their charming, impeccable and exciting place!

***

Just to give you an idea of the tremendous job Rudell and Jay have done in 8 years between two garden tours, these are several pictures of their backyard in 2006.

Click pictures to enlarge.

***

This garden has been featured in 'Fine Gardening' and 'Country Gardens' magazines.

***Copyright 2014 TatyanaS