Garden of the Month - August

By Christina Stiern

A secret garden sits in the back of a quiet subdivision in Defiance. Home to Bill Lane and Steven Cranford, an admiring neighbor made sure we found this gem.

The garden space is clearly Bill’s. He has a great eye for beautiful things, and understands design. He enjoys their sloping yard, which he says offers different views, as opposed to a yard that is totally flat. Indeed it does.

Bill comes from a long line of gardeners; his parents and grandparents spent many hours with their hands in the dirt. He calls them “real” gardeners -- growing vegetables, and “serious” gardeners -- recalling 90 roses in one garden.

A colorful, metal sculpture in the front yard comes with an interesting story. Bill prefers to decorate his home using pieces from St. Louis artists, but while visiting Santa Fe, this piece drew his attention. He had it shipped home, only to be contacted later by the artist, who is a native St. Louisan.

A catwalk leading from the driveway to the deck is lined with gigantic planters of perfect, red begonias, which I couldn’t resist touching as we passed by, to convince myself they were real. A generous seating area on the deck is accessorized with potted herbs, including a perfectly shaped Globe Basil sitting in the center of the coffee table, like a clipped hedge. Bill says this is the first time he’s grown it.  Mint and basil overflow their containers.

Bill leans over the railing of the deck and points to untapped potential; a large swath of mulched area that awaits his touch. He’s hesitated to plant here until he can figure out what the deer won’t bother.

Local nurseries have helped him a great deal in choosing plants. One recommendation led to a lush hedge of viburnums lining one side of the driveway. The shrubs provide nearly year round interest -- blooms, followed by bright berries, and leaves that don't drop until late winter.

The piece de resistance is the perennial garden. A narrow path of boulders evenly divides this large, mature garden, full of daylilies, hydrangeas, phlox, rudbeckia, and more, which are in peak bloom. Bright colors and beautiful silhouettes, neatly and snugly arranged on the hillside, give reason for pause.

Several stands of Lythrum, ’Morden’s Pink’ loosestrife, a variety that both Bill and I could only recall being available locally, is Bill’s favorite plant. Daises are a close second. Both, he describes as “fool proof”.

Last year, he planted giant Alliums, and he was very happy with the result. He had always found them interesting, and finally decided to give them a try. I can’t wait to see what else he’ll try; perhaps I’ll be invited back when the mulched area is complete.

Congratulations on your beautiful yard, Bill and Steven!

To nominate someone for the garden of the month award, or learn more about the Boone Country Garden Club, email BooneCountryGardenClub@gmail.com.