Cruise Day

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I was ready for cruise company by 8 am yesterday. My table centerpiece, a nod to my orange and carmine summer. I thought my red onions, cherries, and orange dahlias from the Pontiac farmer’s market looked plenty sassy.
22I never really worried about the weather; gardening people usually like weather. And I plain have faith that when I need to be in the garden, I will be able to.  But this morning promised perfect weather, and delivered partly sunny; the 74 degrees in the afternoon-perfect for touring. 

32All day long there was a steady stream of keenly interested and thoughtful people.  I so enjoyed being there, hearing what people had to say about my place, and the other 7 gardens on tour.  So many questions; what plant is this?  How do you do this? What is your idea here?  It is such a good way to figure out if your design ideas are being translated into the garden you intend.  Listen to what people say; are you being clear?

44I heard not one cross or disparaging word.  All I heard was energetic appreciation-for the gardens and the people behind those gardens.

53My neighbors, Fred and Jean, brought their Oscar and Beckett for the day they spent as docents; they were right at home.  My corgis would have been low little and long wrecks over all the people; I left them at the store.

64The overcast day made all my color look  intense and rich-just as I intended.  I like this color so much I am already fretting over what I will do next year. 

72Adding people to the garden is always the best part. People we had-over 300.  This hefty increase over last year was unexpected-and so welcome.  We had a party going on.

82Landscape clients, customers of the store, new people, old friends-a great mix made the reception afterwards so much fun.  So much talk about gardens-I could not have had a better time.

92Gardening is bloody blasted hard and frustrating work, but this tour made it all seem so worth it.  My favorite comment came from a woman whom I did not know.  “You don’t use unusual or rare plants particularly-its how you use them, the numbers you use, and the shapes you make that is so interesting”-this was music to my ears. 

101A close second, this woman here from Cleveland for the tour.  She was determined she was taking a variegated Moses in the Cradle she saw in my yard home with her.  “Will you please get me one of those plants before you have a cocktail?”-too funny.  We got her the plant.

111Diana and I both dearly love the Baumgartners.  They have sold their house and garden, and are moving out east to be near their kids. We will so miss them.  I was so glad they put their garden on tour; I have worked for them for almost 25 years. From the looks of this picture,, they enjoyed it every bit as much as I did. 

Rob’s gin and vodka tonics were as big a hit this year as last. He was not the least bit perturbed that we ran out of everything-invoices, change, napkins, glasses, food and wine.  This was just what we hoped for.

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From all of us, to all of you who supported the Greening of Detroit Garden Cruise, many, many thanks.  And best regards to you, Michael Willoughby, for giving to me a perfect moment.

Comments

  1. Congratulations on a successful event! It looks like it was lovely and everyone was having a good time!

  2. Wish we could have been there. Hmmmm. Sudden craving for a G&T now.

  3. What a wonderful day! My non-gardening sister vowed to rip out the hodge-podge of bulky, no-longer-flowering plants in her side yard and replant with just 2 or 3 varieties of plants and repeat them, as you do, Deborah. To have converted an avowed black thumb into a gardener who is planning to re-do her green world is potent proof that the Cruise was a great success. My gardening sister, who timed her visit from St. Louis to include the Cruise, loved it, too.

  4. Looks like a perfect day! Great photo of Ed & Mary and your lovely home/garden.

  5. Mickey Moffat says

    Dear Deborah,

    This is my first attempt at making a comment for any reason but your Garden Tour was spectacular. Truly, I
    was glad that I had seen your Garden a few years ago and your color selections seemed to coincide with my
    favorite colors but my arrangements could never look
    like yours. I commend you on the beauty of everything;
    especially, the dogs looked so cute and happy and that
    you allowed them to come and enjoy the beauty with you.
    Judy and I noticed you in a particular pretty shirt that we think we recognized. You looked so pretty in
    that particular color of green. I will be looking at
    the pictures over and over as they would inspire anyone
    to do so. Hope my comment was not too lengthy.

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