Hello GPODers! Today we’re visiting Dan, who didn’t let a small yard stop him from creating a magical garden that has become the perfect space to create special memories with his young family:
My name is Dan Pilla. I am 34 years old and have been gardening for about 7 years. When my wife and I bought our first home, I envisioned acres of land with mature trees, pristine lawns, and lush gardens. Unfortunately, our budget only allowed for a 1/10 acre with one tree, sand grass, and no garden in Runnemede, NJ. I was disappointed but determined to make the most of what we had. So I grabbed a shovel and dug up about half the land.
Knowing that this might not be our forever home, I used the property as a test garden in hopes of testing something out. On our small plot of land, I tested nearly 1,000 different flowering plants, shrubs, and trees. I kept a list of my favorites that would one day become part of our future garden.
That said, the garden is more than just a place to experiment with plants. As a Christian, the garden is a place to enjoy the beauty of what God has created. And as a father, the garden is a place for my wife and I to create memories with our two daughters…picking cherries and grapes, drying lavender, planting seeds and bulbs, and letting them start their own gardens.
We may never own acres of land (and after seeing how much work goes into owning a tenth of an acre… I don’t think I want to), but we are rich on our little patch of land.
Dan in his garden at first, digging what will become a long flower bed filled with beautiful flowers.
Every garden starts somewhere, and Dan clearly had a vision. A few seedlings and a small, bright pink hibiscus pruned into a tree shape were humble beginnings.
To a space where flowers of many shapes now stand. And are my eyes deceiving me, or is that same pink hibiscus still serving as a great focal point in this roadside planting area??
Luckily, we don’t have to guess at all of Dan’s amazing plants, as he sent close-up photos of some of his favorites (although I’m still scratching my head over how we narrowed down the list from the nearly 1,000 plants he’s grown!!).
First, a beautiful tiger lily (Tigridia pavoniaZones 8–10).
Swinging to the other end of the garden spectrum, a soft and elegant faux anemone (Anemonopsis macrophyllaZones 4–8) are equally attractive as these unique flowers bloom in late summer and fall.
While all these flowers come in different shapes, sizes and colours, I still sense a theme. Dan is clearly the dawn of the most striking, unique, least common flowers in the garden. This theme continues with this impressive tower of ‘Cleopatra’ foxtail lilies (Eremur x isabellinus ‘Cleopatra’, Zones 4–8).
And Dan isn’t afraid to face some unpleasant characteristics to enjoy these beautiful flowers. Lilies (Vulgar DracunculusZones 6–10) are not for the faint-hearted gardener, as the scent is often described as “rotten meat.” These striking flowers are best enjoyed with your nose held!
Another lesser-loved gem to round out Dan’s list of favorites: Dwarf Grass (Hacquetia epipactis synonymous Sanicula epipactisZones 5–7). Like poinsettias and dogwoods, the outer “leaves” of this plant are actually bracts that support the flowers. The interesting shapes in the center are small buds that are about to turn into clusters of small yellow flowers.
Ultimately, as Dan mentioned, what matters most are the memories he made in the garden with his family:
The most handy garden helper is showing off a successful cherry harvest.
Dan is showing his daughters that flowers aren’t the only things to appreciate in the garden.
And a great backdrop for family photos too! What a special space.
Thanks so much for sharing your little piece of paradise with us, Dan! I hope we get another update before you test another 1,000 plants 😉
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