I had a lot going on last year and missed this article when it was first published so I'm so glad it popped up as a random tip on the home page today!

Zuzu: Your garden is absolutely stunning, I can only imagine the amount of work that it took in creating such a fantastic space but I'm sure it was a labor of love and it shows! And oh my, how many kitties do you have, I think I counted 8 and they are really beautiful felines; they look like they are meant to be in your garden amongst all those pretty blooms! We had five cats at one time but they all grew old and went to kitty heaven. I sure miss having a cat own me and it may not be too long before we adopt another. :smily:

Oh, I almost forgot to ask ... what garden hoses? If there truly are hoses visible in the photo's I doubt anyone would notice because of all the beauty surrounding them.

Thank you, Lin. It was a labor of love. When I moved here almost 30 years ago, it was a combination jungle and thicket of blackberry vines. I removed 60 trees as soon as I moved in and then dug up blackberry vines for the next 5 or 6 years. Little by little, I carved garden plots out of the wilderness. It took a long time because I was a single parent without much disposable income, but I'm really pleased with the results and I'm glad you are too.

As for the kitties, they've always been a part of my world (along with the blasted garden hoses, which usually are in most of my photos).

Well, if your city gives out Beautification Awards ... your garden definitely deserve to be at the top of that list!

Beautiful garden, Zuzu! It looks so lush and healthy.

Thank you, Vickie.