Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

"We have a very small back yard-- about 500 square feet--and when we moved in many years ago, our it was a mere patch of grass (known in these parts as "The Builder's Special"). The impetus for the garden was my hubby's request to have more privacy. I didn't know much about North American gardening when we started the project as I grew up in a tropical country (though my Mom has been an avid gardener ever since I can remember), so I felt quite intimidated at first. We also had a very tight budget so we asked for quotes from different landscapers and designers and realized that we could not afford their services. It then became a DIY project. I was nervous and wanted our project to be successful, so after many months of researching, I found Phoenix Perennials offered an in-nursery design service where their in-house designer (always my favorite, Diane Brown) assists the client in the plantscape design. The design was all planned out in the nursery and all our wants, needs and garden growing conditions were taken into account. Advice on where to procure materials and methods to plant were also taught. We had wanted a foliage garden with interest year-round that provided some privacy from our neighbors. I want to make it clear here that Diane has never set foot in our property. We started with a small section of our yard in 2008 and slowly cut the other beds day by day and weekend after weekend until we completed both our front and backyards. Our entire family was involved in the whole process. The following year, we completed the makeover of our 500 square foot frontyard as well. To this day, the garden continues to change and there remain many things to learn. We waited some three years for the backyard to grow in and the garden continues to become more beautiful with each passing year. Gary Lewis and his Phoenicians have also provided us with much needed advise and support when we have plant troubles and concerns. More photos on Michelle Gervais' Fine Gardening's Garden Photo of the Day Blog:Read more: http://www.finegardening.com/reader-photos-clean-slate-transformed#ixzz3SQzIqIYP