Found Spaces Gardener: Grandpa's Back Yard

After nearly 14 years I am not sure why I have not seen James' grandpa's back yard. He has been a landscaper for 50+ years so I always knew it had to be beautiful. Additionally, I realized while we were in Sacramento I had not been there during the spring. Typically we make it out during the summer and over the holidays.

My in-laws live near a lake surrounded by properties whose gardens were in full spring glory. When we walked the lake we could see the azaleas in full bloom, bees buzzing around the lavender and the peonies bursting with color. Let's not forget the bearded irises.... ohhh the bearded irises. My husband kept getting mad at me because I would stop during the lake walk talking about a homes yard. He didn't mind the garden talk, just felt like we were invading the persons privacy by staring at their back yard masterpiece. Or.. judging for the lack there of. Terrible, I know.

Back to grandpa, we met at his house prior to celebrating his birthday at a restaurant with family. The minute you drive up you know you are at a landscapers home. I learned from my mother-in-law (aka Momma Lou) that he likes to save plants and bring them home for rehab. It is so obvious by the driveway he is nursing a bunch back to health. With both of his thumb's being green it doesn't look like the wounded plants ever needed his healing as they look in perfect health.

Once we enter the backyard he starts showing me around. In his thick Puerto Rican accent he is telling me all about the plants, what it looks like in full bloom in the summer and how long it has taken him to get it to this point. I was in heaven! I was in 100% gardening sensory overload because there were so many layers of plants! The yard is surrounded by HUGE hydrangea plants, orange trees, a blood orange tree, roses, clematis, and the list goes on and on and on. Honestly, I didn't want to leave. But our family and chinese food were waiting for us.

These pictures do not do it justice and I did not take enough either.