Jo's Garden

Spring 2003

Pasco Gardening

I've been working on this garden for more than twenty years, and have had my fair share of failures and successes. Much of the information on this site draws on that experience (the failures!), and much comes from other experienced gardeners and Extension (the successes!). Here are a few pictures to show what I've accomplished. (See more at Real Gardens at the Master Gardener site.)

The patio is my oasis zone. Thirsty plants and most of my pots are here where I can water as needed, and enjoy tropical color up close.

All my garden art is either recycled from throw aways or gifts made by family and friends (my husband found the fishing floats beachcombing in Micronesia). Vines on the pergola include three rose cultivars, two mandevillas, a native plumbago, trumpet vine, bleeding heart, dutchman's pipe, two sky vine cultivars, passionflower, coral vine, cypress vine, confederate jasmine and Carolina jessamine, and one still unidentified mystery plant. At the base of the vines are day lilies, scorpions tail, 4 o'clocks, crinums, firebush, coral bean, and milkweed. The

butterflies are amazing!

I really enjoy having my morning coffee in the swing by this little pond. Water cascades down the rock face into both basins (not too often because it still leaks!). I have several water features including a copper fountain, a couple of bucket gardens, and a big pond where storks and herons steal fish, along with the occasional otter!

Although I have two acres, I try to contain my planting areas, both to conserve water and because I've reached (and surpassed) the point beyond which one person can maintain the garden.

Continued