Picture Perfect Sitting Area
Earlier this week I wrote Whoa, Buffalo! A post on Buffalo’s Garden Walk from a “broad stroke” perspective. I described what Buffalo’s “Garden Walk” is all about, who started it, when it is, how many gardens, and how the neighborhoods and homes are such a part of Buffalo’s rich history and architecture. What I didn’t mention, is that the beauty of these individual private gardens, is in the details. Incredible details.
The above photo is one of my favorite settings, I saw on my garden tour. This romantic sitting area is in the back garden of one of the Victoria homes which was built in 1845. This home is a perennial on “Garden Walk”, and you can understand why. Wouldn’t you like to be sharing wine and cheese or casual Sunday brunch with your friends in this garden room.
Vintage Tricycle Charms in the Garden
While strolling through “Garden Walk” you can see everything from antique to whimsical to zen in the gardens. It all works for everyone. The Victorian homes, often brightly painted to show off architectural details give homeowners freedom to repeat those colors in their gardens.
Garden spaces are generally small, yet densely planted and pleasing, which adds a “secret garden” mystique element to them. With garden space at a premium, home owners are very resourceful where and how they garden. Spacing between two homes can still be a garden, small and beautiful. Home owners garden in the front, side, and back of properties.
Small is Beautiful
Beautiful hanging baskets are plentiful, and punctuate once again style and color. Water features and koi ponds are abundant. Rain barrels are popular for collecting rain. Vegetables and fruit are intermingled in flower gardens.
Beautiful Baskets Welcome
I spoke to one person whose family has been living in their Victorian on a corner, and caring for their garden for forty years. Their garden was an utter sanctuary to one’s eye. The busy robin in the garden (you could tell) was right at home, and was quite content to share its garden with visitors.
The beauty of Buffalo’s “Garden Walk” is in the details, and actually so much more. It is a sharing of ideas. It is a sharing of plants. It is an interaction between gardener and visitor. It is a mutual appreciation of beauty, garden, and architecture. It is a beautiful thing.
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh, they are lovely. I like small gardens with that secret garden feel. And I am loving the little bicycle tucked in the flowers. So cute.
I love the cone-shaped baskets, well, ’cause they’re mine. Thanks for this post. I feel as if we’ve sent 70 Buffalo ambassadors out into the world, all with a gardening bent. Good to meet you, though I feel as though I didn’t have enough time to spend with everyone. Maybe next year — oe when you come back here sometime for Garden Walk Buffalo!
Bonnie, I really liked the intimate and colorful seating area, too. I was terribly impressed that while most gardens were small I really never felt closed in or uncomfortable…just cozy. It was a delight to meet and chat with you~Se you in Seattle! gail
I loved all of the gardens we visited, whether they were ‘my style’ or not, but that sitting area! Definitely amazing.
A lovely post,
Lisa
Lisa, I agree, it was so wonderful to see the garden passion of all of the home owners…Bonnie
Gail, likewise, it was a pleasure meeting you, while enjoying the beauty of Buffalo. I agree, all of the small space gardening was cozy and not contrived. Seattle is a must….Bonnie
Jim, your hanging baskets were over the top! It was a pleasure meeting you and your family. Thanks again for all of your planning, organizing, and warm hospitality. I am so impressed with Buffalo….Bonnie
Angie, these gardens were magical, and tended with such loving care….Bonnie
You make me want to walk to Buffalo to see such loving gardens,
Lydia, you must go one year, you will be amazed…VintageGardenGal
You hit it on the head Bonnie, in your comment – the gardens were not contrived. They seemed very lived in and loved. I had a great time hanging around with you and hope we’ll see each other at the next one!
Jean, it was a pleasure meeting you, too, and sharing the best of Buffalo…Bonnie