That’s a Wrap!

Where is everyone?

The Riverside Flower Show and Garden Tour ended today at 4:30-ish p.m. I’ve had my post-tour nap, Paul’s gone to pick up our exiled poochies and I’ve got some unfinished business to tend to. I’ve got to say thanks to everyone who visited us during the tour. The response was beyond positive and I think I’ve turned a ton of people on to the charms of junk, rust, succulents and low-water landscaping, craigslist and flea markets. I’d skip returning to work tomorrow if I had a dollar for every person who said they originally thought they’d skip the succulent garden (us!), but were glad they didn’t. I’d take the week off if I had a dollar for every person who said our garden was their favorite, the best and the most interesting … and, I’d be able to retire if I had a dollar for every time I heard someone say “Wow!” when seeing the garden for the first time when rounding the corner into the backyard. Paul and I both met so many interesting, fun, knowledgeable, complimentary and willing-to-share, people on the tour … Best of all, I got to meet readers of this blog as well as fellow garden bloggers, Dustin, of non-secateur and Denise of A Growing Obsession. Thanks again for the gifts, guys! I also had the honor of meeting a number of master gardeners, and Nan Simonsen (of those Nanscape signs in front of some of the best gardens in town); that such experienced and erudite gardeners had positive responses to the Rancho’s scheme was flattering in the extreme.

Comfy

Confirmed during the tour: our garden really sets people at ease. We were continually complimented on our numerous seating areas, and some visitors really took advantage of them, setting a spell and chilling out under the trees. My recently painted vinyl sofas were a hit, everyone felt free to go off the beaten path and the little girl, above, really wigged-out over this hanging succulent. Looking out into the garden and seeing so many people enjoying themselves was fun, as well as gratifying. We have a garden that’s beautiful, stylish and very people-friendly, while being completely personal. Answering questions and explaining my design process, while tiring by each day’s end, never got old … and we went through over 100 blog postcards and gave out over 300 FAQ sheets!

It's over

Now, with the sun’s rays lighting up the garden for the last time before dipping behind Mt. Rubidoux, it’s really quiet … I love my garden … and now I think a lot of other people do, too!