Today we’re visiting Patti’s garden in Guilford, Connecticut.
Growing up, I read about a garden like this while sitting on the floor in Accra, Ghana. Now in America, I have the world at my feet. My God, nothing is impossible. I can stay up all night working away as I try to implement in my garden every little dream I read about. My neighbors already think I am crazy, and I love it.
I purchased this home in 2016. I want everyone to know it is absolutely possible to be very self-reliant and to have a beautiful garden on one income when planned strategically.
The landscape at Patti’s house before she started gardening there.
And here’s a “before” photo of the backyard. It was a fixer-upper!
Another “before view”—there was definitely a lot of work to be done!
The garden after Patti transformed it, with masses of tulips bringing lots of spring color.
White fences, containers, and lots of neatly trimmed conifers create an elegant, refined garden space.
The front of the house before …
… and after, now filled with beautiful plants.
The driveway is now lined with plants, and there is the promise of a beautiful garden at the end. I can’t believe how much work Patti has put into transforming this space!
At the end of the drive, baskets full of flowers hanging on the fence greet everyone as they go past.
To see more of Patti’s gardening efforts, check out her instagram: @pattisguilfordgardenct
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Comments
Nice transformation. Thanks for sharing! :)
Thank you VanhaTaloSuomi
From Ghana to Connecticut. Only two words come to mind: “well done!” An amazing transformation truly awesome and so inspiring. Keep it up. You rock.
Thank you Sandy. I appreciate it.
You go girl. It's a pleasure to read about someone having their own vision and then working to complete it. Your yard is truly an amazing accomplishment.
Thank you Rebecca
Very well done. I would never have guessed it was the same place.
Thank you lots
I love seeing before and after and I love all you have done. I am so envious. BTW, I am going over to Instagram right now & give you a follow. I am l_j__thms on there.
Aww, thank you so much for the follow. I appreciate it.
FANTASTIC! SUPER FANTASTIC!! TRIPLE FANTASTIC!!!
Thank you Carolyn
It just amazes me what someone- such as yourself- with with inspiration and determination can accomplish!
Anyone who is out in the dark gardening (I've done that too!) is driven to create that garden they envision!
Love the things you've done to your house and garden...that place has a warmth and charm it lacked before you tackled it!
If I was on Instagram I'd follow you (and treasuresmom) to keep in touch with your garden progress through the seasons.
Such kind words and I agree SimpleSue. The mind is so powerful when we plan. The more we dream, the more ideas it gives us. We can accomplish what we put our mine to as along as we keep going.
Just beautiful. I love before and afters-----they always show just how much love and work have gone into the transformation. The crisp white fences make such a difference and define things so nicely.
Thank you witty one. I agree the fence makes such a huge difference. I sincerely believe I am addicted to white fences:)
An impressive amount of work went into that transformation! Inspiration for everyone. Thank you for sharing your photos esp. the before ones so we could really appreciate the changes.
Thank you so much BDOwen.
Hi, Patti. Your gardening story is full of energy and ambition! I like the white fence and lattice and the deep green potted plants and the bright flowers on the fence and the showstopping group of tulips.
Hi Cynthia2020,
Thank you so much. Everyone thinks I am little crazy when I am tackling these projects. When I putting up the fence and digging, people driving will stop and tell me I am crazy. But with vision, crazy is good. Thanks again:)
Absolutely beautiful! You are an inspiration!
Thank you so much moyra_b.
Your home and property are a true labor of love and warm beauty. Bravo Patti.
Thank you so much Sheila_Schultz.
Kudos to you, Patti! From one after dark gardener to another, you have done an absolutely marvelous job bringing both your garden and your house back to beautiful life. Thank you for sharing the results of all of your hard work and vision.
Aww, thank so much Btucker9675 for the encouragement. I appreciate it.
Kudos Patti, you have done an amazing job. Your hard work is paying off because your garden is absolutely gorgeous. You have proven your point...where there's a Will, there's a Way; nothing is impossible. Continue to create beauty and to be an inspiration to others.
Thank you much Carolineyoungwilliams. I agree to everything you have said and shall continue. Stay blessed.
This transformation is breathtaking to be sure! An epitomy of love of gardening. I also have assimilated by our local Master Gardeners sale of plants, trees, bushes for pennies of what the local garden ctrs and big box pricing of those. My saying "I don't need it until the price is right!", Ha ha. The local garden groups here, Horticultural Society, Native Plant Society, and more also provide sales to the public. Re-sourcing in an of itself is a challenge in many area's. Thanks for sharing, keep 'em comin'!
Thank you Pollen...
Thank you and very well said. This upcoming gardening season, I have planned to not comform to any rules when it comes to sales and whatnot (not in a rogue way), but you said it perfectly. The local groups, horticultural society et. al aplenty here in New England haha... Hope you are having a good weekend:)
Belatedly..big congrats. What a stunning transformation. From another gardener who grew up in Accra and fellow GPODer (Yvonne’s garden in Virginia).
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