A Delightful Coastal Garden -- full of color and surprises!

An article I wrote for this month's Coast magazine features Lizette Gaudin's garden in Galveston. If you'd like to read it for her pre-planting tips and floral favorites, this link will transport you there. 

This master gardener's additional tips on how to plan your garden can apply, I think, to anyone, anywhere. And when the weather gets too rainy, snowy or gloomy for outside activity, why not curl up with a few garden books and catalogues? One gets dropped in my mailbox (outside and online) regularly. Called Gardener's Supply, it's fun to browse. Spring will be here before you realize it! 

Lizette's garden is full of color, texture and unexpected surprises. Below are a few images of her front garden. When Hurricane Ike destroyed her ancient live oak, she had an artist carve two herons from its remains:

The birds serve as one of her garden anchors; something she addresses in the Coast article.

Many residents in the historic East End in Galveston turned their dead oaks into art pieces. 

In fact, they are a huge hit among tourists and locals alike. 

Lizette says she finds people out on her sidewalk all of the time, taking photos of the herons.

Additional front garden views -- and glimpses of her 19th century home:

When guests look closely at Lizette's garden, they see all kinds of whimsy and little surprises . . . like a shell-encrusted vase, sea glass sprinkled on top of the soil, a little fish bobbing in her ceramic fountain, a bright purple hanging plant holder -- all of which she either collects or receives from family and friends:

These photos were taken last November; however, I bet her garden still looks like this. For many, I know it's almost unimaginable to have this look during this time of the year. But, if you find yourself out and about and run across a little something, consider placing it in your garden -- whenever that might be.