This is one I found on google, although the original post was on GW. I can't find that thread now, but it's in Buffalo and was part of a garden tour.

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I'll settle for just one bed that looks like this.

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I want to plant my flowers in huge masses. Instead of 12" apart, I want to plant everything 6" apart. I've added enough leaf mulch and compost that I should be able to do it. If not, there's always Miracle Grow, right?

I like the private settings. I have so many levels and hills and shade/sun mixtures, it's probably going to end up looking a mess instead.

My dream garden would have soft, crumbly, aromatic soil with a scent like fresh water. The plants would be mostly green and lush and would leave only the pathways open and uncovered by greenery. The hydrangeas would stay colorful all summer and the flowerheads would not turn brown, even on the hottest days. Weeds would never sprout in the flower beds or between the pavers in the walkways. (yeah, I know, I really am dreamin' but hey you asked!)

There would be a nice balance of sunny and shady beds and there would be a comfortable bench or chair in all the best places for viewing the pond, the birdbath, the bee skep, and the sunrise. Rain would only fall on the areas that needed it or where it would look pretty when wet. (well, so what, it's MY dream)

The flowers would all be fragrant like bee balm, roses, lavender, phlox, angel trumpets and petunias. (I love petunias) And the bees and hummingbirds would fly slowly around all the time, punch-drunk with all the nectar they'd been sipping. The aquirrels would be trained to deadhead any blooms that had the audacity to fade, and they would never dream of planting a cache of native pecans among the roots of my hydrangeas or roses. (yes, squirrels are trainable in my dreams)

My dream garden has two little ponies in it who keep each other company and who will gently take a sugar cube from a childs fingers. They'll bow their heads to get scratched behind the ears and neigh to me happily when I come home from work. They both look like Chester the Little Pony from that book by the same name, but unlike Chester, they never got lonely and wandered away from home.

All the trees would have at least one branch that is perfect for a little boy's tire swing, and one branch that is perfect for a little boy's hideout. The grass under the trees would be deep and rich and cool, just irght for taking a nap. There would be no fire ants, grass burrs, or copperheads. The only snakes would be the friendly kind and at sunset a million lightening bugs would rise up out of the grass to look for mates, or for a jar in the hand of a curious child.

My dream garden has a little shed for storing pots and tools. It is covered with a pink climbing rose in summer and surrounded by flowers. But it magically becomes Santa's workshop in December with lights outside and elves and toys inside.

That's my dream garden.

Cheryl

My dream garden is the one I plan in my head when I can't sleep. I can't waste time yearning for what I can't have, so my dream garden is the one you'll see when spring comes, or at the height of summer annuals, or in the fall when the weather cools a bit and Salvia leucantha blooms with melampodium, edged with lantana montevidensis.

I have the basics: soil, water, sunshine, trees. There are places to sit, paths to explore, a little greenhouse for cuttings and seeds; mulch, tools, a little red wagon; and air conditioning in the house when the weather runs me in.

Did I mention that it smells good, the breeze whispers softly in the trees and there are birds and butterflies in season?

Nell

At least one like this somewhere on the property:

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(The English sunken garden at Stan Hywet Hall in Akron, Ohio. Heck, I want the entire Stan Hywet property!)

-Cheryl, your dream garden sounds sweet. A happy place where nothing ever dies or fades; a place one could be forever young. It sounds like paradice.
CMK

schoolhouse - whoa! I got dibs on Stan Hywet. ;-) I take tons of pics every time I go there.

More than anything I would love to have a walled garden with stone walls 5-6 feet high with lovely gates. Something with a sunny southern (in)side to warm up quickly in spring, with flowering trees that will bloom and then leaf out and provide dappled shade. Something quasi-hidden, apparently ancient and mysterious where magic may once have dwelled... *sigh*

Kris

No you don't, kiddo! Stan Hywet is MINE. I used to go there every year on my birthday, met Irene,the oldest daughter once. I was sitting on a bench and saw a frail little lady come walking briskly down the path. I summoned all my courage and approached her and we talked a short while. When I told her May 2 was my birthday and that I came up every year, she said, "May 2 is my birthday, too!". Only recently, I found out she wasn't just being nice, her birthday really was May 2. But, I digress. We were talking about gardens here not the Sieberlings! ha.

Oh, I was going to mention that the walled garden pic was taken by my friend this past October when we visited the estate; and I was trying to remember the flowers that are blooming in that border. Should have made a note of that for future reference.

Definitely a walled garden, a secret garden, with a hidden door. Know where I'm going yet? A

Only 3 things...a brake on summer temperatures - nothing over 85 (112 will kill just about anything including the gardener); a brake on late frosts - none after April 1; and soil that has proper consistency...not this pure white sand that won't hold nutrients or water. If I had that I'd take my chances.

Boy, Seamommy's garden (Cheryl's) dream garden sounds pretty good to me except I wouldn't have the ponies 'cause I'm alway stepping in ______ and then taking it to work on my shoe. OR if I did have ponies, MY ponies would be potty trained to let loose on my compost heap. ;-)

My dream garden would also have rich DEEP soil. The leaves on my plants would all be a dark green and the flowers would be of many different colors. I'd be able to grow plants like delphinium, lilacs, bleeding heart, nicotinia, and lilies and anything that has a wonderful scent.

My dream garden would be lush and private where it could only be seen by actually entering into the back yard. (Currently, anyone who drives or walks by can see what's in my back yard and there are times I feel as if I'm on display.)

I think my dream garden would still be located where it is. I just need those few changes plus a few of those squirrels Seamommy mentioned.

My dream garden would be one without-- deer, rabbits, Japanese Beetles, and drought.

Cameron

I also would want more privacy. I did more so at one time, but new neighbors changed that. I like them but.... I would like tall yew hedge, and a maze! And wide flower borders I could walk along in the morning and pick armfuls of bouquets.
Yes,aftermidnight - another one with a hidden door that has a key I keep tucked away in a music box "upstairs". If my house had a second story that is.

Well, privacy I have. You can't see my garden from the road and you can't see the road from my garden. You can see very little of my garden from the house! I could garden in the nude if I wished.

I'd still like decent temps and good soil.

Almost all the above. But I would want that pony poo for my flowers.

Also to be able to grow peonies and BLUE hydrangeas.

Hmmmmmmm, I think that garden was named Eden.

Kathy

Well, Nell said it best. Could it be an age thing?

I am pretty happy with what I have...and I am the only one I have to please!

Second to Cameron's of no Japanese Beetles and let me add RRD!

I already have my dream garden. Just wish I could add a few of these. Beautiful old antiques.

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Libby

Ohhhh - such nice dreams. I was going to say I have my dream, which is a semi-blank canvas. I do like creating, however, that having been said: I went to Ireland in 2005, and while the yards, private and public gardens where wonderful.....but my favourite was Ardgillan Demesne, north of Dublin. I've added a link below. If your turn 180 degrees from the 1st pic, you are looking a huge lawn, rolling down to the Irish sea - spectacular. There is a huge Monkey Puzzle Tree in front of the house(?), barely visable. What they don't show you, sadly, are the wonderful gardens behind the house. I can't find my pics either. :-( It is full of wonderful stone walls, stone sheds and greenhouses. The rose garden is wonderful, and my favourites were the very old espaliered apple trees, full of fruit!!! Just pushed all of my buttons!!

Nancy.

Here is a link that might be useful: Ardgillan Demesne

schoolhouse and kiddo - I love Stan Hywett; but you can fight over it and I'll just take Kingwood. In my book, it's second only to Sissinghurst. I'm in SW Ohio. Every season, Kingwood is a delight. It's about 3 hours from me, but I go 5 or 6 times a year.

As far as Cheryl's garden - the huge problem with it is "coming home from work" I would have to work there in the garden, flitting from one shadey spot to another, stopping to smell this bloom and that.

Ahhhhhhhhh -

Hurry spring!

Doh! Kingwood! Beautiful gardens. Haven't been there for years.... Thanks for reminding me, organicmickie.

Kris

I haven't been to Kingwood in awhile. Do they still have the white peacock? How are their sales in the Spring and Fall, I only went to one long ago and think I bought hyacinths.

Hey Token28001 - I love the look of that Buffalo garden - I live in the area and go to our Garden Walk every year but have never seen that one - you've intrigued me to hunt for it this year!!
I, too, conjure up dream gardens when I can't sleep. Climbing roses, a little ponds, many fruiting trees....

I do love my garden. I would like more land, but then it might become difficult for me to deal with, so I guess that might be a bad thing to wish for. I do wish I had a different surrounding. my neighbors are too close. I'm dealing with chainlink and their houses/yards beyond mine. It would look so pretty if my garden blended into trees instead. Oh well, I can take shots that edit out a lot of the surroundings : )
Token amd Maryjane,
I've not seen that one either. It looks great!
This is the entrance to my veggie garden in mid June.(The window shudders are to stop the dog from jumping in to the veggies.)
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Remy

Kiddo -GO GO GO! They have done so much and deveoped new areas. They are trying to keep it the way Mr. King would have had it (or a balance between his day and how he would have proceeded...). They do a lot more bulbs, still 50 or 60 tousand tulips buts others now, too. Lots of lillies, alliums, etc.

schoolhouse - Lots of dreamy white peacocks!

They garden for winter interest, so unless there is snow on the ground, there is always something to see.

Here is a link that might be useful: Kingwood Center