Sylvia Dileo’s garden has been a work in progress for the last 28 years.
She and Sam Dileo started their life together in 1997 in a home Sam had lived in for many years. She told me, “It wasn’t exactly a blank slate when I moved in, but I quickly started putting my touch on it.”
Through the years, complete with life challenges, hurricanes, droughts and freezes, Sylvia has continued to put that touch on the landscape.
Hammond Garden Club presented Sylvia and Sam Dileo on Rue St. Michael in Villa West with Garden of the Month honors for June.
Thanks go to Phyllis Mire and Fran Steib for their help choosing this beautiful yard.
The garden comes in two parts. The front presents a charming group of perfectly mounded lantana, an amazing array of different kinds of lilies, a large crape myrtle, hibiscus, gardenia, nandina, roses and a mailbox dressed in a clematis vine – plus an assortment of unnamed gift plants. Somehow with her special touch Sylvia has made it all into a cohesive, structured environment.
The area behind the house features a graceful pool surrounded by tropical and hardy perennial plants. Even on the hot afternoon of my visit, as I was repeatedly invited indoors to enjoy the air conditioning, I chose to stay out by the pool just to admire the lush atmosphere.
Sam gives full credit to Sylvia along with sincere admiration for her efforts. When questions about the plants were directed at Sam, he looked to his wife with a smile and answered, “This is all Sylvia’s thing. I don’t know a tree from a bush.”
It seems Sylvia’s touch has touched his heart. It certainly touched mine.