I have been obsessed with a neighbors yard since I moved into my home. By obsessed I mean utterly moved by its beauty, mind blown by the complicated layouts, and fully touched by the obvious love and dedication this gardener has for every single plant/flower. I’ve been patiently waiting to meet this mysterious owner for almost a year now; but I just couldn’t seem to ever catch them when they were outside.
Last weekend I had 6 people visiting from out of town. Whenever I have guests I walk them past this yard (did I mention I was obsessed?) which always results in a full jaw drop. By some miracle, the owner was outside tending to some plants on this recent walk! I likely scared the crap out of him with my slightly psycho level of excitement 😂.
At risk of sharing too much info about a stranger, I’ll try and keep the story short. His wife was very sick and could not leave the house so he wanted to create a magical, healing, loving haven for her to be surrounded by. I don’t know the details but I know she ended her life 6 years ago, yet he decided to continue caring for and loving this haven he made her. It’s what keeps him connected to her. Are y’all crying yet? Because I am.
He invited myself plus my 6 visitors to walk through his entire property. He even retreated inside stating we should stay for as long as we dusted and to enjoy it as much as we can. The yard is laid out in a way that makes it hard to see much more than 25% of his property from the street, so it felt like a true honor experiencing his hidden alcoves of lilies and paths of fuchsias.
Here’s where I need some help, because I’m extremely new to the plant and flower world (aka ignorant). I’d like to leave something at his door as a token of appreciation for generously sharing his space and memories with us. It really was special. I’ve been thinking a small plant, but which one?!? I just don’t want it to read like I picked up a half dead succulent from Lowe’s due to some neighborly obligation. I should also note that it doesn’t have to be a plant, Im open to any ideas! Bird feeder? Bird bath? A collection of well made pots? High end gardening gloves? Any advice is wildly appreciated!
by Blue_Heron11
17 Comments
I’m assuming unicorn poop for the compost bin is out of the question.
There are artists who can use a laser CNC engraver to make custom wood art, right down to portraits in grayscale. Might look into that?
Gift card to the best local garden center.
Something for butterflies!
Do you have any fresh veggies or herbs you could incorporate into an exquisite baked good? Garden center gift card is nice too, like the other poster said. Or a beautiful gardening book? Once, I figured out someone’s favorite flower was the hellebore. I collected all the different ones from my garden, pressed them and then framed them as a gift. It took a while, though.
Depending on age/mobility, ask if they need any labor done? Sometimes there are problem tasks folks need a hand with.
Baked him something nice and write a little note expressing what you wrote here.
get him the same watering can monty don uses, they’re pricy so he might not have gotten one for himself and plus you can never have too many watering cans
A bird bath, a spinner, small framed picture of the garden.
I would recommend not giving him anything for his garden because it was perfect just the way it was. He gave a part of himself to you. You can do the same. Open a window to your soul and give him a piece of it. Maybe it’s just a heartfelt letter that shares how much his garden means to you. Maybe it’s something your create that means something special to you. Give as much to him as he’s given to you.
Hmm. I’d ask to have tea with him. I’m ite him to your place. Just a hunch but it appears he has a lot of time on his hands and your companionship and friendship are worth more than gold. Just be a great neighbor. Maybe even a friend. Think of all the stuff you could learn from him..
I share the bounty from my garden with my neighbors. When I left a bouquet of flowers at my neighbor (a horse owner), she left a few bags of aged horse manure in return. I was thrilled 😂
If you can get great organic compost from local farms or ranches, maybe it’d make a great gift?
If you know the name of his wife, consider getting a brass plaque on a stake that identifies this garden in her memory.
No ideas because I am a new gardener myself. But that garden is exquisite.
Give him a hand written thank you note about what you wrote above and invite him over for tea/coffee. Offer your friendship.
How about a heartfelt thank you note and an extension of friendship? Maybe a box of nice herb tea? As a gardener, I guarantee that this person is incredibly particular about everything relating to their garden. However, I’d be absolutely tickled to receive a nice note praising my garden and something to enjoy while I’m in the garden. I’m also usually very delighted to make garden friends.
Do you paint? Make a watercolor thank you card, or a small framed painting of his gardens?
Fairy garden that starts small and builds a little bit over time. They will be delighted by its surprise appearance, then love seeing new elements appear.