paisley garden (more from open days)

I have always wanted to visit Helen's Haven, and the Thompson Garden, but I think my favorite was Paisley Garden. Paisley had the design asthetic I tend to go for: a generous mix of (hardy and not hardy) tropical plants, herbaceous perennials, flowering shrubs and trees, and annuals to bridge the gaps between peak blooming periods. The layout of the beds were relaxed and unpretentious, so you could just meander through from one to the next without feeling like there was a severe transition among them.

In the Thompsons' garden I like how Kathleen and Walt planted Naked Ladies among flowering annuals so they just pop up unexpectedly! Their teacup fountain reminds me of the one at Chanticleer.

My favorite part of Helen’s Haven was the bed of HUGE castor bean plants in her front yard. See more from Open Days http://picasaweb.google.com/sandrazazzara/OpenDaysGardenTours#