Last updated on April 8th, 2012
WITH DETERMINATION, even the most grievous eyesore on a property can become a sparkling jewel. My own rose garden (above, click to enlarge) is proof of this fact. Here, where fragrant flowers flourish between ribbons of boxwood, and where classical fountains play soothing music, there existed, not long ago, something quite different:
When we bought this 176-year-old house in 2002, there were no gardens here. There was, however, bang behind the house, and in the perfect, sunny spot for a garden, a parking lot. Yes, a parking lot — completely paved with asphalt. (I’d show you the “before” pictures, but alas I can not find them.) Studying the offensive view from kitchen, office, and guestroom windows, a vision of roses, evergreens and fountains began to emerge. Two years later, we hired a contractor to remove every trace of blacktop.
A friend, Roderick Blackburn, who has authored many books on historic properties, drew up a design for my vision: Two 50-foot circles framed with the upright yew, Taxus hicksii, 8 boxwood-edged, hexagonal rose beds within, and two tall, classical fountains.
You haven’t lived until you’ve tried to dig in soil that was covered, for probably 20 years, with heavy asphalt. “Compacted” doesn’t begin to describe it. I rented a post-hole digger in order to make openings in the rock-solid surface for the edging plants — 190 yews and 320 boxwoods.
Unfortunately, after the yews were purchased, there was scarcely enough money left to buy sufficient boxwood. Consequently I bought just enough plants to roughly outline the geometric rose beds, and then tucked boxwood cuttings, clipped from the existing stock, in between. These rooted in only 6 weeks time, and within 3 years matched the stature of their parents.
The large sweeps between the boxwood and yew beds were planted with pachysandra. True, this “shade-loving” groundcover struggled in the blazing sun and infertile soil for a few years. Now, however, it thrives. I can tell you that plentiful moisture is the key to pachysandra success, if it is to grow under long hours of direct sun.
Now for the roses. I chose mostly David Austin varieties, including ‘Heritage,’ above, because of the glorious forms and fragrances they offer. A pick-axe was used to hammer out huge holes for each shrub. Then I back-filled the holes with –get this — Miracle-Gro potting mix. (Cheating, I know, but back then I didn’t have a stockpile of leaf mold.) How the roses prospered in the peaty formula their roots could easily penetrate! Since then, mountains of shredded leaves have been added to the rose beds annually, and now, 5 years later, the soil is friable, filled with worms, and very easy to dig.
I suppose the lesson of my parking-lot-to-rose-garden story is this: You can make a garden anywhere. All you need is a bold vision, a little determination, and an unflinching desire to turn an “impossible” situation into your own, special paradise of fragrance and color.
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Related Posts:
Boxwood Beauty the Easy Way
Are Roses Really Worth the Effort?
No-Fail Groundcovers: Pachysandra, Vinca Minor, Boston Ivy
Anonymous says
Kevin, I'm in awe.
I planted some pachysandra 5 years ago, that I brought from my cousin's garden down in Ossining. It still is barely spreading at all. I have it under a big red maple. I gave it gobs of moisture and it won't even smile at me. Do you have any ideas?
Brigid O'Brien
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Brigid – plantings beneath trees are difficult because of food-robbing roots. Build up the soil around the tree (or just pour good compost between plants) and believe me, your pachysandra will spread.
Adele says
Love that top photo. Did you shoot this from a helicopter???
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Adele – Glad you like the top picture. It was shot from my attic window.
Erin says
I love the “you can do it attitude”! Your Gardens and home are BEAUTIFUL! I'm really looking foward to the Garden Tour this Saturday!
Carol says
Kevin that is beautiful. What an inspiration you are. If I didn't live so far away, I'd come for the tour, too.
Katreader says
Just amazing! I'm in awe of all the hard work and patience to make your vision a reality.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Erin – Thank you for your nice words. Looking forward to Saturday's tour, too.
Carol – Stay tuned for the “cyber tour.”
Katreader – You are very kind. Thank you.
Andrew Thompson says
Kevin, I can't believe how much that garden has grown. You posted another picture of it last year, as I recall.
Judy says
Kevin, when I first saw the photo my first thought was that it was Hampton Court or something — but it's your garden and it's even more amazing from that perspective! Mrs. Rochester has a lovely view from that attic!
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Judy – Well, it's the least I could do for poor Mrs. Rochester!
Lucille Noble says
I cannot wait to see your gardens Kevin…..Lucille
Sue says
Kevin, what a spectacular picture. As one who remembers the sea of asphalt, I commend you for your vision and sweat equity to make this garden a reality. It is magnificent!
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Lucille – I look forward to given you a guided tour.
Sue – Thank you. And, it's nice to have someone verify this garden was, indeed, a “sea of asphalt!”
Anne says
Having witnessed the progression of your garden from parking lot to a jewel in the crown, I am so fortunate to visit often. I'm always in awe as to what you have created. This year the rose blooms are magnificent even though the heavy rains have washed away the blossoms. Kevin, you are truly an inspiration to us all.
Annie says
Miracle Gro potting mix??? Kevin, I can't believe some of your tricks! My soil was not covered with asphalt, in fact it is a wooded site that I thought would be like pure compost having never been disturbed over time, just decomposing forest material. Wrong. Mostly river rock, and very little actual soil. I dig enormous holes for my roses because once the roots reach the outer limits of the hole, they might as well be in a pot. I also use a pick axe and a long pointed piece of rebar to pry huge rocks loose. Some holes have taken days to dig. It has occurred to me to use potting soil, but since I thought that would be a mortal sin, I have not yielded to temptation. Until now. If you, the garden guru, expert and writer of all growing things, can do it, then, I feel liberated. I have 4 David Austin roses waiting to get in the ground, and those tender roots will be wiggling their toes in Miracle Gro potting mix.
Annie says
PS…I just read your post, “Are Roses REALLY Worth the Effort?” where you asked for our input. Mine is this…I only plant roses grown on their own roots because these don't require winter protection and spring removal of same. They are hardier and suckers are true to the rose you bought, not the root stock which could be privet or other tough shrub below the graft.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Annie – nice to meet you. Regarding Miracle-Gro potting mix…well, sometimes a gardener's got to do what a gardener's got to do, right? Today I use leaf mold.
Yes, good idea to plant roses on their own roots for all the reasons you just described. However, I still provide winter mulch to insure the ground stays frozen should we happen to have a warm-spell during winter.
Besides, all that added mulch does wonders for the soil!
caren says
Leaf mold? Do you have a post on that? I don’t see one. I also don’t see s post on composting. Er have a lot of trees that I take the leaves and dump in the garden or to the cows. Another question, do people ever send you photos for ideas?
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
caren – Thanks for asking. More on leaf mold here, and also under the category “soil.”
Best way to share photos is through my Facebook page. I’d be happy to see yours!
Roberta Adams says
Kevin-I am stunned by the beauty of the house and gardens! How long has it taken you to get it all to this point? I am a gardener, but on a much smaller scale of course. I am jealous of your Boxwood and would love to start some hedges. Should I start the cuttings in pots or directly where I want to plant them/
Thanks-I love your website-it inspires me!
JEANNE ILLENYE says
Remember the lyrics, “…they paved paradise and put up a parking lot,” and you’ve done the reverse, which has always been my dream! Now THAT’s what I call progress!
Amy says
This was just the story I needed.
I am a novice gardener. To put it nicely, it was nothing short of a miracle that I was able to get some bulbs growing in my front planter and the shrubs I planted last spring are *still* alive (both were to my surprise.)
My front yard is nothing special – however I am a rather ambitious (and stubborn) person, and I plan on turning my very boring, uninspired, front lawn into a lovely cottage garden. It might take a few years, but with time and patience (and friends who will lovingly share cuttings) I think I’ll get there. Your parking lot to the rose garden of my dreams is a huge inspiration!
Michaela says
Your gardens are beautiful & are an inspiration!
Beth says
Thank you! Thank you! This is just what I needed to read today! So glad I stumbled/stalkerishly read through many of your posts today! I am struggling to see the end of the tunnel with my own yard of a 110yr old house… Mine however is very wet and filled with little hills and valleys… This showed me the light I needed to see!
Thank you again!
A vey grateful reader.
RoseRubio says
How can l rott leaves l have over 90 oak trees on my property. We rake leaves every spring .l burn the leaves l dont know what to do w them.Any idea how to use them in my garden. Thanks Tose
Gloria Van Gorden says
Oh my oh my. Just took a tour of your house and thank you for saving the old girl. You did a gorgeous n with lots of love job. Also thank you for sharing it with us. Your advise on growing African Violet’s great. They are beautiful. Thanks.
Leslie says
You unpaved a parking lot and put up a paradise, to misquote the song. I’m late to the comments but I’m sure it looks even more amazing now.
I have a concerte driveway that replaced a gravel drive that was in place for fifty years. There is a huge oval (sort of) cut-out in the center with flowerbed intentions. I have dirt in there but once you get down to a certain level, you hit hard packed old gravel probably containing old motor oil or whatever leaks into driveways. I can’t plant anything that requires deep roots, of course. Things start to die when they try to go deeper. I’m not even sure if there are any water pipes running through there. I’m looking for ideas and I’ve landed here. I just wanted to say great job! I’m green with envy (pun not intended, lol).
Nettie says
Helpful advice from all.Thank you and looking forward to read more
Nettie Peters