I AM INVITED TO TOUR THE GARDEN OF HOLLY OAK COTTAGE

It is late afternoon and I have decided to take a short stroll with my camera and snap a few shots before we walk to dinner. I am taking a close-up of one home’s nameplate when a man bursts through the gate right in front of me. He grins and I extend my hand and tell him that I am taking photos for my blog about Carmel.

Immediately he proclaims, “Then you must take pictures of my wife’s garden. She does all the work herself and it is so lovely. “ Wow, I am not saying no to this kind invitation.

He zips back through the gate to tell his wife and neighbors who are having drinks on the patio and re-emerges with an invitation to join them all for a drink when I am through taking pictures. Then he ushers me into the magical little spot she has created within her garden walls.

The patio and path work are Camel Stone. They have transformed the  garage into it’s own charming little cottage complete with the wave pattern wood shingle, flower boxes, and planters.

At this point he departs and I am left to take my time. My view and my camera travel slowly around counterclockwise. The only thing I like more than Adirondack chairs are Adirondack chairs in a circle with inviting cushions on them.

A potted fern makes a nice centerpiece.

They have an outdoor fireplace. Carmel weather is perfect for using the fireplaces as evenings are cool. I note that even the house pet has a container out here thoughtfully shaded from the sun with a towel.

The Pine Cone candles on the mantle will add a bit of evening magic.

This talented gardener has planted baby tears between the stepping-stones. This is a shade loving ground cover in Carmel.

Her English Thatch bird feeder looks better than mine at home- where the squirrels have stripped off all the thatch for their nests. Check out the butterfly. She strikes just the right balance in her use of garden ornamentation.

This is the Feng Shui “power corner” and from this bench she can rock and survey her creation. Notice how skillfully she has used her touches of color.

What a beautifully kept cottage. More teak furniture cushioned for comfort, flower boxes , planters and those great lace curtains make this so inviting.

White bacopa is the plant spilling out from the planter. Ivy forms a topiary .

Bunnies are a recurring theme.

I love the use of the Sedum at the feet of this one. No detail is too small for this gardener.

An angel perches on the edge of a planter of blue bacopa and variegated foliage.

One last look at the charming garage

and I am out the gate and across the street for a glass of wine.  I can hardly wait to meet the gracious woman who created this garden and keeps it so immaculate.